The Handbook to English Heraldry

"The Handbook to English Heraldry" by Charles Boutell is a detailed exploration of heraldry, designed for newcomers and enthusiasts alike. This book serves as a doorway to the rituals, artistry, and historical importance of English heraldry. Boutell begins by setting out to teach readers about the core ideas of heraldry, stressing its lasting importance and modern-day use. He presents heraldry as a special symbolic code packed with histories and meanings, as he explores the history of its beginnings, its widespread uses, and its connection to powerful parts of English history like the Crusades. Boutell also makes a point to divide different heraldic components, like coats-of-arms, shields, and insignias, that paves the way for a more complete look into the organization and art of making heraldic arrangements that the reader will encounter throughout.