Synopses & Reviews
Flags and heraldic arms weave together the history of man's desire for representation and organization and the need for a means to display marks of origin, status and beliefs. Throughout the ages, flags have been a means of cultural and national identity and communication. In medieval times, heraldry developed this art of personal identification to adorn firstly shields, but then banners, horse trappings, ancestral homes and seals. This book begins by tracing the history of the flag before proceeding to list in detail all the most important standards and flags of national rulers, militaries, causes, clubs and governments. The second half of the book offers an in-depth look at heraldry, an art that emerged at a time when fighting men were hidden behind armour and unrecognizable to friend or foe. The shield motifs that were developed were handed down from one generation to the next, and came to indicate descent as well as identity. Heraldry was gradually adapted to serve nations, cities, the church and guilds, and international style developed. This beautifully illustrated book is a unique, definitive collection of these marks of identification, spanning continents, centuries, cultures and organizations. It contains a huge amount of information, explaining heraldic terminology, colors and blazonry, flag-making techniques, shapes and patterns, and such concepts as standards, supporters, charges, augmentations, liveries, abatements and degradations. Erudite text and over 2100 photographs and illustrations make this a valuable and unprecedented resource for everyone interested in these unique emblems. From ancient standards and ancestral shields to modern coats of arms and the flags ofemerging nations - learn the fascinating language and visual vocabulary of arms, banners and ensigns that knots together the diverse strands of our history and brings alive today the colors and textures of a rich cultural heritage shared and revered by all the nations of the world.