Familiarize yourself with these terms and guidelines in order to blazon a shield or visualize a design from its blazon. From your About.com Guide.
First published in 1908, Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry remains a useful and accurate reference for heraldic terms. Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry is in the public domain, and you may copy, download, print and distribute the work as you see fit.
Your Guide's concise review of this excellent and comprehensive book about the origins, history, and rules of Heraldry.
The complex art of Heraldry begins with some basic guidelines. Test your knowledge of Heraldry basics with these ten quick questions.
A dragon is a dragon and a lion is a lion, but not all charges have such straightforward names. Can you define the charges in this quiz?
If you've got the basic guidelines of Heraldry and common charges down, it's time to tease your brain with some less well-known terms. Look out -- this one's pretty tough!
These symbolisms were extracted from the 1898 publication, The Symbolisms of Heraldry or A Treatise on the Meanings and Derivations of Armorial Bearings, by W. Cecil Wade. The document is in the public domain, and you may copy, print, download or distribute it as you see fit.
A fine basic introduction by Lydia Leong, taken largely from
Boutell's Heraldry, is aimed at gamers and is historically and technically accurate.
John Guillim's 17th-century work is an early attempt to explain the rules and history of heraldry. The complete text is slowly but accurately being placed online by Paul Grant.
Several informative articles on English Heraldry during the reign of Elizabeth I, including introductory material, primary sources, a clearly-illustrated armorial and a "primer" of blazonry for beginners.
Thousands of very clear images you can use on your non-commercial heraldry projects. The thumbnails (which each lead to larger versions) are quick to load and easy to see, but be prepared to click through dozens of pages to find what you need.
Extensive site by François Velde provides information on a wide variety of heraldic topics with a particular influence on French heraldry and history. Very helpful.
Oaths of loyalty and service taken from the
Black Book of the Admiralty and edited by Craig Levin; placed online at the Knighthood, Chivalry and Tournament Resource Library.
Enormously helpful list of queries and illuminating responses, clarifying many of the misconceptions about heraldry and coats of arms.
Excellent starting point by James P. Wolf for researching all facets of Heraldry, including pages on Heraldic symbols, a Heraldic glossary, and useful introductory articles (see the bottom of the page) as well as numerous links.
A very readable and clearly illustrated introduction to the basics of heraldic design by James Grout at his Britannia site includes links to a glossary of terms and a page with images concerning rolls of arms. Nicely done.
Graphics and background information on flags used during the Middle Ages, presented by century or by shape, plus some articles reproduced online, by Donna Hrynkiw.
