[MR] New book on heraldry

[Garth G. Groff]

Noble friends,

Just cataloged at the UVA Library: THE HERALD IN LATE MEDIEVAL EUROPE, 
edited by Katie Stevenson (ISBN 9781843834823; our call # ALDERMAN 
CR1602 .H47 2009). This looks like a very useful book for our heralds, 
and anyone interested in heraldry and its history. It consists of nine 
contributed articles discussing the role and function of heralds from 
roughly the 13th to 16th centuries. What is of special interest is that 
most of the articles focus on a particular country or region, several 
not extensively covered in English-language publications. Here's the 
rundown: "The Development of the Office of Arms in England c.1413-1485"; 
"Ancient Precedent or Tudor Fiction? Garter King of Arms and the 
Pronouncements of Thomas, Duke of Clarence"; "Jurisdiction, Authority 
and Professionalisation: The Officers of Arms in Late Medieval Scotland" 
(Wow! I'm going to read that chapter.); "The March of Brittany and its 
Heralds in the Later Middle Ages"; "City Heralds in the Burgundian Low 
Countries"; "King of Arms of the Ruwieren: A Special Function in the 
German Empire"; "Heraldry, Heralds and Politics in the Republic of 
Florence in the Late Middle Ages"; "Tournaments, Heraldry and Heralds in 
the Kingdom of Poland in the Late Middle Ages"; and "A Time When 'fools 
and dwarfs were highly esteemed'? Seeking the Late Medieval Scandinavian 
Herald". As a bonus, the book has a number of black-and-white 
illustrations showing how heralds dressed and carried out their work, 
plus four beautiful full-color plates.

At your service,


Mungo Napier, Shire of Isenfir's Unofficial Librarian
(mka Garth Groff, UVA Libraries cataloger)