Stephen Friar – författare

An introduction to heraldry for the layman. It begins with the history, which touches on crucial moments and figures in the past such as the Crusaders, the Black Prince, Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth , Henry VIII and his wives and children. It describes the colourful medieval tournaments, the orders of chivalry such as the Garter and the Bath and peerage. Also examined are the distinctive Scottish, Welsh and Irish systems of heraldry, some Continental examples and the American inheritance. There is also an informed analysis of the elements in a coat of arms: the shield, tinctures, charges, helm and crest. All this is complemented with drawings which cover every aspect and period of the subject from a Roman standard to the coat of arms of President Eisenhower.

Even in this predominantly secular age, Britain’s cathedrals remain potent symbols of religious continuity. Their purpose was to reveal God’s majesty, to declare the supremacy of the Church and the devotion of the men who built them. They were intended, literally, to be awesome. Similarly, our medieval abbeys, most of them sad remnants of a glorious past, serve to remind us of the dedication of those who aspired to the monastic ideal. No two cathedrals or abbeys are alike in their conception, location, construction or history, and it is this that gives them their limitless appeal.Informative, knowledgeable and wide-ranging, Stephen Friar’s study contains over 1,450 entries and explores the features of these places, as well as associated subjects, such as architecture, monuments and church music. Entries on the Anglo-Saxon Church, monasticism, the Reformation, the restoration of the Roman Catholic dioceses and more assist in revealing a wider historical context.Richly illustrated in both colour and black and white, The Companion to Cathedrals and Abbeys is essential reading to new and more seasoned researchers alike.

‘A fascinating book that covers the history and development of something that is unique to the Middle Ages – the castle.’ - Medieval HistoryOver 1,000 castles were built in the century following the Norman Conquest. Most were constructed in the wake of the Conquest itself by the Norman lords and their allies as they took possession of their lands. These conquerors in a hostile land numbered only a few thousand and their castles became both symbols of subjugation and bastions of paranoia.Nevertheless, contrary to the popular perception, medieval castles were more often lived in than fought over. A castle was a fortified feudal residence, a symbol of a lord’s power and authority and the instrument of regional domination: administrative, judicial and military.Very few castles remain unaltered from when they were first built and none fits neatly into any particular category. Many have succumbed to the ravages of siege warfare, abandonment and despoliation, especially in the aftermath of the English Civil War. Some have been entirely rebuilt and most have been remodelled many times, according to the current military, domestic and architectural fashion. For several there is evidence of continuous occupation from the twelfth century to the present day.Stephen Friar has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all aspects of castles as well as the ability to place issues within a historical context and explain them succinctly and clearly for the non-specialist. From quadrangular castles to shell keeps, garderobes and gargoyles to tournaments, and anarchy to zig-zag moulding, this detailed A–Z reference book, with its lavish illustrations, is essential reading for anyone interested in medieval castles.‘A fascinating book … as well as providing a history of British castles, the book also offers advice on how to get the most enjoyment and fulfilment out of your visits.’ - The Journal

Every one of England’s churches is unique: from St. Edwold’s tiny church at Stockwood in Dorset and Bremilham in Wiltshire (twelve feet square and sitting in a farmyard) to the Gothic masterpiece of St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol and the great monastic churches of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire and Sherborne in Dorset.The Companion to Churches is a comprehensive, fully illustrated A–Z guide to these churches, dating from the post Roman period to the present day, and covers subjects such as architecture, fittings and furnishings, decorative and allegorical features, stained glass, heraldry, traditions and customs, ecclesiastical history, and the role of the church in its community.

‘A feast of heraldry and a thoroughly enjoyable book.’ - The Genealogist’s Magazine‘Very readable and lavishly illustrated . . . provides the keys to unlock the mysteries of heraldry and its language.’ - Teaching HistoryUbiquitous in the fabric of our ancient churches, castles and houses, in documents, and on monuments and stained glass, heraldry represents a treasure house of information for both the historian and the genealogist.In The Companion to Heraldry, Stephen Friar, an experienced armorist and historian, provides the reader with the keys to unlock the mysteries of heraldry’s language, conventions and traditions. The origins of heraldry and its significance in the lives of our noble and gentle forebears are considered, as are the interpretation of heraldic devices; the systems of marshalling that record affiliation, marriage and inheritance; cadency, by which the younger members of a family may be identified; and the symbols themselves, which often contain obscure references to a family’s history and its fluctuating relationships with the Crown. The conventions of armory are explained, and there is a useful section on the interpretation of blazon, the language of heraldry, complemented with an illustrated glossary.With over one hundred black-and-white photographs, sixteen pages of colour illustrations and exquisite line-drawings by Andrew Jamieson and John Ferguson, this volume provides a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to heraldry.