The College's own arms were granted in 1484.

The College of Arms, in London, is an office regulating heraldry and granting new armorial bearings. As its name suggests, it is a corporate body (founded 1484) consisting of the professional heralds who are delegated heraldic authority by the Queen for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. (Note that Scotland is not included; that country has its own heraldic authority: Lord Lyon King of Arms and his office.) The college also grants arms to citizens of other Commonwealth countries that do not have their own heraldic authorities. (Canada and South Africa have their own heraldic authorities, the Canadian Heraldic Authority and the Bureau of Heraldry, respectively.) This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... The Houses of Parliament and the clock tower containing Big Ben Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London (see Wiktionary:London for the name in other languages) is the capital of the United Kingdom and England. ... Heraldry is the art and science of designing, displaying, describing and recording coats-of-arms (also referred to as armorial bearings or simply as arms). Its origins lie in the need to distinguish participants in battles or jousts, whose faces were hidden by steel helmets. ... Heraldry is the science and art of describing coats-of-arms, also referred to as achievements or armorial bearings. ... The examples and perspective in this article do not represent a worldwide view. ... Events January 25 - Peter Arbues, chief of the Spanish Inquisition, is assassinated when he is praying in the cathedral at Saragossa, Spain July 6 - Portuguese sea captain Diogo Cão finds the mouth of Congo River December 5 - Pope Innocent VIII gives the inquisition a mission to hunt heretics and... A herald was originally a messenger sent by a king or nobleman to convey a message or proclamation. ... This article describes the British monarchy from the perspective of the United Kingdom. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the British Isles Languages English (de facto) Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... For an explanation of often confusing terms such as Great Britain, Britain, United Kingdom and England, see British Isles (terminology). ... Dieu et mon droit (Royal motto) (French for God and my right)2 Northern Irelands location within the UK Main language English Other recognised languages Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain MP Area  - Total Ranked... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... Arms of the Office of the Lord Lyon The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that kingdom, issuing new grants of arms, and... The Court of the Lord Lyon, also know as Lyon Court, is the institution which regulates heraldry in Scotland. ... The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as The Commonwealth, is an association of 53 independent sovereign states, almost all of which are former territories of the British Empire. ... Badge of the Canadian Heraldic Authority The Canadian Heraldic Authority is an agency of the Government of Canada responsible for heraldry in Canada. ... The Bureau of Heraldry is the South African heraldic authority, It was established in Pretoria on 1 June 1963. ...

In addition to designing and granting new arms, the College fields many requests from people attempting to demonstrate descent from an armigerous (arm-bearing) person; a person descended in the male line (or through heraldic heiresses) from such an ancestor may be reissued that ancestor's arms (with differencing marks if necessary to distinguish from senior-line cousins). To that end, the college is involved in genealogy and the many pedigrees (family trees) in their records, although not open to the public, have official status. Anyone may register a pedigree with the college, where they are carefully internally audited and require official proofs before being altered. For other uses, see inheritance (disambiguation). ... Genealogy is the study and tracing of family pedigrees. ... A pedigree is a list of ancestors (usually implying distinguished), a list of ancestors of the same breed (usually in the case of animals), the purity of a breed, individual, or strain, or a document proving any of these things. ... An audit is an evaluation of an organization, system, process, or product. ...

Heralds were originally messengers; and to this day the officers of the College of Arms occasionally step back into those shoes by publicly reading Royal proclamations — notably at the accession of a new sovereign. They also play a role planning for and guiding participants through state ceremonial, such as coronations, the introduction of new peers into the House of Lords, and the ceremonies of orders of chivalry. For these public appearances the officers of the college wear costume representing their place in the Royal Household — either simple red livery or the herald's traditional colorful outfit of a tabard emblazoned with his master's arms (in this case the royal arms). On these occasions they are sometimes proceeded by state trumpeters (with whom, however, they should not be confused). In the United Kingdom, the Accession Council proclaims a new monarch upon the death of a previous monarch. ... British coronations are held in Westminster Abbey. ... A peer is a person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person. ... This article is about the British House of Lords. ... The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals personal bravery, achievement or service to the United Kingdom. ... In all the medieval monarchies of western Europe the general system of government sprang from, and centred in, the royal household. ... A tabard worn over armour A tabard is a short coat, either sleeveless, or with short sleeves or shoulder pieces, emblazoned on the front and back with the arms of the sovereign, and worn, as their distinctive garment, by heralds and pursuivants. ... The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom for general purpose. ... Trumpeter redirects to here. ...

The College of Arms occupies a building on Queen Victoria Street in the City of London, not far to the south of St. Paul's cathedral. The site was granted to the college when it was re-incorporated by Philip and Mary I in 1555, and the present 17th century building dates from after the Great Fire of London in 1666. f. ... St Pauls Cathedral is a cathedral on Ludgate Hill, in the City of London in London, and the seat of the Bishop of London. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Mary Tudor is the name of both Mary I of England and her fathers sister, Mary Tudor (queen consort of France). ... Events Russia breaks 60 year old truce with Sweden by attacking Finland February 2 - Diet of Augsburg begins February 4 - John Rogers becomes first Protestant martyr in England February 9 - Bishop of Gloucester John Hooper is burned at the stake May 23 - Paul IV becomes Pope. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... London, as it appeared from Bankside, Southwark, During the Great Fire — Derived from a Print of the Period by Visscher The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the City of London from September 2 to September 5, 1666, and resulted more or less in the... Events September 2 - Great Fire of London: A large fire breaks out in London in the house of Charles IIs baker on Pudding Lane near London Bridge. ...

The College of Arms building in Queen Victoria Street, London, England

The College of Arms in Queen Victoria Street, London, England. ... The College of Arms in Queen Victoria Street, London, England. ...

The officers

The Earl Marshal, a hereditary office held by the Duke of Norfolk, oversees the College, though he is not a member of that body; arms may not be granted without his consent. Furthermore, the Earl Marshal may, in theory, hear cases and controversies relating to the use of arms in the Court of Chivalry, although the court has not met since 1954. In practice, the Earl Marshal usually leaves affairs to the professional heralds of the College. Earl Marshal (alternatively Marschal or Marischal) is an ancient chivalric title used separately in England, Ireland and the United Kingdom. ... Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk holding the baton of the Earl Marshal. ... The Court of Chivalry is a civil court in England. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Henry Edgar Paston-Bedingfeld, Her Majestys York Herald of Arms in Ordinary at the College of Arms. ...

There are, historically, three grades of herald: Kings of Arms, Heralds, and Pursuivants. The officers of arms occupy posts bearing traditional titles with royal connotations: King of Arms is the title given to a kingdoms chief heralds. ... Henry Edgar Paston-Bedingfeld, Her Majestys York Herald of Arms in Ordinary at the College of Arms. ... A Pursuivant is a minor herald. ...

• Kings of Arms:
  • Garter Principal King of Arms, the senior King of Arms (his title is a reference to the Order of the Garter)
  • Clarenceux King of Arms, whose "province" is the part of England south of the River Trent
  • Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, whose "province" is the part of England north of the River Trent (Norroy) and Northern Ireland (Ulster)
• Heralds, whose titles are references to places or peerage titles historically associated with the monarchy:
  • Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary
  • Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary
  • Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary
  • Somerset Herald of Arms in Ordinary
  • Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary
  • York Herald of Arms in Ordinary
• Pursuivants, whose titles invoke various heraldic badges associated with the royal arms:
  • Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary
  • Portcullis Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary
  • Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary
  • Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary

The various heralds have their own private practices in heraldry and genealogy, and receive only nominal salaries (which have not changed in centuries) as officers of the College: Garter Principal King of Arms is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms. ... The Garter is the most recognizable insignia of the Order of the Garter. ... Clarenceux King of Arms is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the British Isles Languages English (de facto) Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. ... Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is one of the senior Officers of Arms of the College of Arms, and the junior of the two provincial Kings of Arms. ... The Peerage is a system of titles of nobility which exists in the United Kingdom and is one part of the British honours system. ... Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. ... The Lancaster Herald is an officer of arms of the College of Arms, named after the Duchy of Lancaster and the city of Lancaster. ... Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms of the College of Arms. ... The Somerest Herald is an officer of arms of the College of Arms, named after the Duke of Somerset and the English county of Somerset. ... The Windsor Herald is an officer of arms of the College of Arms, named after the Barony of Windsor and the town of Windsor. ... York Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms. ... Heraldic badges were common in the Middle Ages particularly in England. ... The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom for general purpose. ... Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary is a junior officer of arms of the College of Arms in London. ... The Portcullis Pursuivant is a junior officer of arms of the College of Arms named after the portcullis which is a symbol of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster. ... The Rouge Croix Pursuivant is a junior officer of arms of the College of Arms named after St Georges Cross. ... The Rouge Dragon Pursuivant is a junior officer of arms of the College of Arms, named after the red dragon of Wales. ...

• £49.07 per annum for Garter Principal King of Arms,
• £20.25 per annum for the other Kings of Arms,
• £17.80 per annum for the Heralds,
• and £13.95 per annum for the Pursuivants.

They serve on rota as the "officer of the day" to handle walk-in business at the college's premises. UKP redirects here. ...

Beyond these 'Heralds in Ordinary', 'Heralds Extraordinary' can be appointed to take part in special ceremonial occasions or to assist the Earl Marshal personally; they are not members of the college. Among the extraordinary heralds have been—

• Arundel Herald of Arms Extraordinary
• Beaumont Herald of Arms Extraordinary
• Maltravers Herald of Arms Extraordinary
• Norfolk Herald of Arms Extraordinary
• Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary
• Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary

One special case is that of New Zealand Herald Extraordinary who, although not a member of the college, is a permanent post created to oversee heraldry in New Zealand; he works together with the college to grant new arms for people and bodies in that country (where he himself lives and works). Arundel Herald of Arms Extraordinary is an supernumery Officer of Arms in England. ... Beaumont Herald of Arms Extraordinary is an officer of arms extraordinary in England. ... Maltravers Herald of Arms Extraordinary is a current officer of arms extraordinary in England. ... Norfolk Herald of Arms Extraordinary is an officer of arms in England. ... Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary is a current English officer of arms extraordinary. ... Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary is an current officer of arms in England. ... The New Zealand Herald Extraordinary is a herald responsible for the regulation of heraldry in New Zealand. ...

Grants and descent of arms

The Kings of Arms grant coats of arms by letters patent. Before they can even consider the granting of arms, an application must be made to the Earl Marshal, and a fee paid. Letters Patent by Queen Victoria creating the office of Governor-General of Australia Letters patent are a type of legal document which is an open letter issued by a monarch or government granting a right, monopoly, title, or status to someone or some entity such as a corporation. ...

The Kings of Arms are authorised in their patents of appointment to grant (with the consent of the Earl Marshal) to "eminent men", a phrase which first appeared in the patent of appointment of Stephen Leake as Clarenceux King of Arms in 1741. Originally, the test applied was one of wealth or social status, because any man entitled to bear a coat of arms was expected to be a gentleman. By 1530, the heralds applied a property qualification, requiring successful candidates for a grant of arms to have an income from land of £10 per annum, or movable wealth of £300. But since the heralds receive fees for granting arms, they have always had an incentive to be generous rather than restrictive in their interpretation of who should be allowed a grant. In 1616, Ralphe Brooke, York Herald, tricked Garter King of Arms, Segar, into granting a coat of arms to the common hangman for a fee of 22 shillings. See also Gentleman (reggae artist) The term gentleman (from Latin gentilis, belonging to a race or gens, and man, cognate with the French word gentilhomme, the Spanish gentilhombre, and the Italian gentil uomo), in its original and strict signification, denoted a man of good family, the Latin generosus (its invariable...

In 1673, the authority of the Earl Marshal, which the heralds had challenged, was established in its modern form by a royal declaration which stated, among other things, that no patents of arms should be granted without his consent. This established the system, which is still operated, whereby royal authority to approve candidates for grants of arms is exercised by the Earl Marshal, and royal authority to grant the arms themselves is exercised by the Kings of Arms from the College of Arms. The application to the Earl Marshal (the Duke of Norfolk) is in the form of a petition, called a "Memorial", in the name of the prospective grantee. The wording of the Memorial is important because it is closely followed (for example, as to the description of the grantee of arms by profession, place of residence, etc) in any subsequent Letters Patent containing the grant of arms.

There are no fixed criteria as to whether a modern application for a grant of arms should be allowed. If a herald is approached and does not consider that the application has merit, he may tactfully suggest to the applicant that he or she should not proceed. If it does proceed, its success or otherwise will depend on the approval of the Earl Marshal, who may apply his own standards. Peter Gwynn-Jones, Garter King of Arms, has recently written that "In practice, eligibility depends upon holding a civil or military commission, a sound university degree or professional qualification, or having achieved some measure of distinction in a field beneficial to society as a whole." (The Art of Heraldry (1998) P. Gwynn-Jones p 121).

If the Earl Marshal finds the application in the "Memorial" satisfactory, he will grant a Warrant authorising the Kings of Arms to proceed with the designing of arms. One of the heralds then works with the applicant to devise arms pleasing to him as well as heraldically correct. Once a final form is reached, the Kings of Arms grant letters patent (colourfully illuminated and decorated) authorising the use the arms blazoned therein to the grantee and his heirs.

They, or a differenced version of them using marks of cadency, will be inherited by all of the legitimate children of an individual and such children and their descendants may bear the arms (or a differenced version of them) from the moment of birth: they do not (as with other inheritance) have to wait for the death of the previous generation. Nor is there any requirement for the College of Arms to approve the use of the arms in each generation: the original grant of arms is the only authority required. Although daughters and sons inherit the right to bear arms for themselves personally, the right passes only through the male line: hence, a son transmits the arms to his children, but a daughter, while bearing them for herself, does not transmit them to her children. A partial exception to this rule is the case of a woman who has no brothers, or whose brothers have no issue; such a woman is called a heraldic heiress and may transmit the arms to her children and their descendants as a quartering with their own arms. See also Cadency (name) and cadency name Cadency is any systematic way of distinguishing similar coats of arms belonging to members of the same family. ... Divisions of the field is a heraldic term referring to the pattern on a shield. ...

The costs involved are quite substantial. In theory the applicant does not "buy" a coat of arms: the arms themselves are freely given, but fees must be paid to the heralds and artists involved as professionals, and to support the buildings and other running costs of the College. Aside from the heralds' traditional nominal salaries, given above, the College of Arms is not financed by the taxpayer.

Name changes

The College of Arms is also responsible for recording the changes of names. In order to change one's name, one must apply for a deed poll to be entered on the College's registers and published in the London Gazette. (The deed poll is not entered on the registers, but is still published, if the name change does not amend the surname.) A deed poll is a legal document binding only to a single person or several person acted jointly to express an active intention. ... The London Gazette , front page from Monday 3 - 10 September 1666, reporting on the Great Fire of London. ...

Alternatively, when a Royal Licence is granted for a transfer of arms, the change of the surname of the transferee to that of the transferrer may be permitted by the Licence itself, without the need for a deed poll.

See also

• Officer of Arms

Dr. Conrad Swan, while York Herald, one of thirteen officers of arms at the College of Arms. ...

External links

• The College of Arms

College of Arms
Earl Marshal | Court of Chivalry
Kings of Arms: Garter | Clarenceux | Norroy and Ulster
Heralds of Arms: Chester | Lancaster | Richmond | Somerset | Windsor | York
Pursuivants of Arms: Bluemantle | Portcullis | Rouge Croix | Rouge Dragon
Extraordinary Officers: Arundel | Beaumont | Maltravers | Norfolk | Surrey | Wales | Fitzalan | New Zealand