Page 7 - Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects

AUTHOR'S PREFACE
HERALDRY a subject about which one never stops learning. My own
1s
introduction to the subject was a little over forty years ago when 1 was still
at school, and though 1 did not work at it seriously during my years in
the army, yet it was always in the back of my mind and now, though 1 am
engaged in both Heraldry and Genealogy in a professionaI capacity, 1 still
have a great deal to learn.
Tbis book represents the fruits of a considerable amount of research,
and as il is research which can be of considerable help to others 1 have tried
to set out in these pages what 1 think will be of assistance to them.
Many people look on Heraldry and Genealogy as being dry subjects
which would possibly be of interest to nobody but a snob. but how far this
is Prom the truth, and 1 am glad to say that the last fi€teen or twenty years
have produced a terrific crop of students, by no means ali of whom are
themselves armigerous, who are anxious to learn about and enjoy the
fascinations of Heraldry. Furthemore, though there has always been a
considerable number of people keen to find out sornething of their own
family history, yet the last few years seem to have brought out even more
than usual.
Throughout the years 1 have gained a great deal from such works as
Shield and Crest by Julian Franklyn. Boutells Herafdry as revised by
C. W. Scott-Giles and J. P. Brooke-Little, Scots Heraidry by Sir Thomas
Innes of Learney, to say nothing of the many and varied tieles by
LRslie Pine. AI1 of these 1: commend to my readers, yet 1 feel that a
Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects, such as this, can be used as
a quick reference by any and everybody, and for this reason 1 have grouped
the four parts together.
To my wife 1 give my thanks for her encouragement, particularly in the
early days of my research, and in recent months for her criticism of the
illuslrations.
To my secretary Glynis Kirkbride 1 give my thanks for the patient way
she has taken dictation, then typed the manuscript.
FinaIly 1 hope my readers will obtain as much joy from reading the pages
of this book as 1 have experienced in putting it together.