College of Arms

The College of Arms is an English institution originally incorporated in 1484 which includes all the Kings of Arms, Heralds and Pursuivants in England and Wales. The Kings of Arms are responsible for granting coats of arms in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and to that end are granted the authority of the Queen in general terms upon their appointment. Scottish heraldry is independently regulated by Lord Lyon King of Arms.

Related Topics:
English - Incorporated - Kings of Arms - Herald - Pursuivant - England and Wales - Coats of arms - Wales - Northern Ireland - The Queen - Lord Lyon King of Arms

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The officers of the College of Arms are members of the Royal Household, and

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also grant arms to citizens of other Commonwealth countries that do not have their own heraldic authorities, including Australia and New Zealand. (Canada and South Africa have their own heraldic authorities, the Canadian Heraldic Authority and the Bureau of Heraldry, respectively.)

Related Topics:
Commonwealth - Australia - New Zealand - Canada - South Africa - Canadian Heraldic Authority - Bureau of Heraldry

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In addition to designing and granting coats of arms, the members of the College of Arms undertake research in matters of genealogy and heraldry, and register family trees (pedigrees) in their records, which, although not open to the public, have official status. Such pedigrees are carefully scrutinised by officers independent of the person who has done the research, and official proofs are required for every stage. The officers of the College of Arms also supervise ceremonial matters in England and Wales, including the introduction of new peers into the House of Lords, and they play a role in the ceremonies of orders of chivalry (notably the Order of the Garter) and in the designs of official military badges.

Related Topics:
Genealogy - Heraldry - House of Lords - Orders of chivalry - Order of the Garter

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The College of Arms building is on Queen Victoria Street in the City of London, south of St. Paul's cathedral. The present site of the College of Arms was granted when it was re-incorporated by Philip and Mary I in 1555, and the present 17th century College building dates from a reconstruction after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Related Topics:
City of London - St. Paul's cathedral - Philip - Mary I - 17th century - Great Fire of London

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