Crests and symbolism

Wherever you look – from our national flags to carvings on ancient buildings – you can see heraldic designs. They owe their appearance to a formalised system that’s a lot more complex than you might at first appreciate, explains Clare Hunt

Horses were involved in King Harold’s defeat at Hastings – but also in the demise of his Norman conqueror It’s one of the most famous of all medieval images. Harold II stands upon the battlefield at H

Armigers from the Tudor and Stuart era had their moment last month, with a seal ring linked to Royal Exchange founder Sir Thomas Gresham and a ruffler once owned by philanthropist Sir Edwin Rich causing a stir at auction

Ironmongers’ Hall, London EC2 The home of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers

What do an enigmatic Caped Crusader, a sopping-wet Mr Darcy and Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell have in common? Believe it or not, British country houses, says Ben Lerwill, as he set-jets around the countryside

Everyone from royalty to rappers seems to have one in their wardrobe. Is this the world’s most versatile jacket? Harry Pearson praises the blazer, a true sartorial team player