The work gives a complete guide for entitlements of all Popes, Cardinals, Bishops and lesser clergy and dioceses of each obedience dealt with, including all relevant legislation and guidelines.  The work will assist all those called upon to design coats-of-arms for clerics, showing clearly those external ornaments to which each rank is entitled.   It will also assist those seeking to identify arms used and lays out most of the variations met with.
In addition an exhaustive chapter sets out the historical usage and development of the Red Hat, other pontifical hats and the mitre.  This section is illustrated with actual examples from tombs, monuments, works of art and medieval manuscripts, as well as with illustrations by the author.  An analytical study of such works as the Wappenrol zu Konstanz is also included.