i like the summary this book gives of knights, particularly those in the middle ages. through this information, along with that in another usborne book i read about castles, but especially this book, i have a more layered knowledge of the role knights have played through history, with the section about the knights hospitalars being of interest to me in learning knights utility hasnt only been in fighting and peace time competition like jousting tournaments, but also healing during battle , and this aspect of roles of knights during christian wars against muslims also seems to me to provide some foundation for more contemporary medical organizations like the red cross. also notable to me is the details the book includes about different coats of arms, and some discussion of the symbolic meanings these different illustrations contain, even reminding me of egyptian hieroglyphics in the aspect of being organized pictatorial expression.