Page 11 - Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects

HERALDRY
As A keen Heraldist for many years 1 have always hoped for the publication
of an up-to-date Dictionary of Heraldry, as the last one was published over
100 years ago and, though stiH extrernely useful, is of course out of date
in many ways. However, nothing seems fo materialise from any of the many
Heraldic writers and so eventually 1 decided to write one myself.
A Dictionary of Heraldry if properly used can be an extremely valuable
book. It is never designed to give exhaustive information on any one
particular subject but to provide sufficient information at least to give its
user enough general information about a particular subject for his immediate
needs. After all, if one is at a loss to how the meaning of a word in every-
day life one makes reference to one of the standard dictionaries. One does
not expect to get a complete explanation of al1 the whys and wherefo~es
about it. but enough information to lmow its general rneanjng.
Heraldry is an extremely Fascinating subject wllich is piaying a much
wider part in al1 our lives today than at almost any time in history. During
the MiddIe Ages probably a greater use was made of armorial bearings, in
that, though al1 who possessed them displayed them more widely, their use
was restricted almost entirely to the NobiJity. Today, however. personal
arms can be used by almost anybody, providing he is a straiglltforward and
decent living citizen. Furthermore, arms are used by cities, towns, I~ospitals,
schools and many other well known institutions, and even some of the
larger and well established industrial companies.
This means that aImost everybody both male and female owes a Ioyalty
to one or more persons or bodies bearing arms.
During World Wars 1 and II a great many rnembers of the community
scrved with the forces and bear a loyalty to a particular unit or formatioii.
In the case of the Navy it would have been a ship's badge; if it was the
Army there would have been a regimental or corps badge together with a
formation sign; in the case of the Royal Air Force there were the squadron
badges, many of which became exceedingly famous. Al1 this is Heraldry
and though service badges may be trated as one of the Rclatad Subjects
yet it is still part of the Heraldic study.
Royal Heraldry though liglitly touched upon in these pages is again a
definite study of its own and a particularly interesting one, too.
Much of the information 1 have gathered in compiling this work of
reference has been obtained from or verified in those excellent books on
Heraldry by C. W. Scott-GiIes and Julian Franklyn, to whom I gladly give
fullest acknowledgement.