
The art of Heraldry was born in the Middle Ages, and while it still survives and has evolved somewhat, it will always harken back to the aspects of medieval society that made it what it is. And while its symbolism and rules may seem too esoteric, a little study and the willingness to learn are all you need to understand the mysteries of Heraldic devices. An excellent resource for in-depth study is
The Oxford Guide to Heraldry by Thomas Woodcock and John Martin Robinson. If Heraldry really is your thing, see why Woodcock and Robinson's work is worth your time in
this review by your Guide.
The crucifix that was
discovered in a trash bin a few years ago by a woman in Zell am See, Austria, has been returned to the heirs of the owner from whom it was looted during the Nazi era. The enameled cross was once part of a magnificent collection of art and antiquities belonging to Countess Isabella Dzialynska at Goluchow Castle in Poland. Isabella's heir, Count Adam Zamoyski, received the cross in a ceremony Tuesday. Find out more in the
article by Catherine Hickley at Bloomberg.com, which includes a nice picture, and learn more in the
item at Reuters.