Heraldry's unfamiliar terminology tends to discourage people from learning more about this fascinating subject. But heraldic language is essential for the precise description of a coat of arms and is soon learned with a little practice. This book provides an introduction, explaining each term with illustrations and text and expounding the basic principles so the reader will understand what a coat of arms consists of and the rules that govern its arrangement. He will find that heraldry is an intriguing study as a colourful art in its own right as well as for its relevance to genealogy and other subjects.