Herald

:This article is about the profession, for the ships named Herald please see this page.

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A herald was originally a messenger sent by a king or nobleman to convey a message or proclamation. (The equivalent of the Greek κῆρυξ kērux.) A herald often wore a surcoat, called a tabard, decorated with the arms of his master.

Related Topics:
Messenger - King - Nobleman - Proclamation - Greek - Tabard

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Possibly due to their role in managing the tournaments of the Late Middle Ages, heralds came to be associated with the regulation of the knights' coats of arms. This science (today called heraldry) became increasingly important and regulated over the years, and in several countries around the world it is still overseen by heralds. Thus the primary job of a herald today is to be an expert in heraldry; but in the United Kingdom at least these heralds are also still called upon at times to read proclamations publicly.

Related Topics:
Late Middle Ages - Coats of arms - Heraldry - United Kingdom

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Junior heralds are known as Pursuivants and the chief ones are known as Kings of Arms. There are active official heralds today in the United Kingdom and several countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the Republic of Ireland and Spain.

Related Topics:
Pursuivant - Kings of Arms - United Kingdom - Commonwealth - Republic of Ireland - Spain

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