King of Arms

King of Arms is the title given to the chief heralds of the United Kingdom, who are responsible for heraldry. Their symbolic titles are either geographic, derived from peerages currently or formerly held by the British Royal Family or from devices on the various Royal Badges.

Related Topics:
Herald - United Kingdom - Heraldry - Peerages - British Royal Family - Royal Badges

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In the United Kingdom today, there are three kings of arms at the College of Arms in London. These have jurisdiction over England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They are:

Related Topics:
College of Arms - London - England - Wales - Northern Ireland

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• The Garter Principal King of Arms
• The Clarenceaux King of Arms (for the jurisdiction south of the river Trent)
• The Norroy and Ulster King of Arms (for the jurisdiction north of the Trent and Northern Ireland)

For Scotland there is the Lord Lyon King of Arms, who heads the Court of the Lord Lyon.

Related Topics:
Scotland - Lord Lyon King of Arms - Court of the Lord Lyon

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In Canadian heraldry there is no king of arms, but there is the Chief Herald of Canada, who oversees the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Related Topics:
Canadian - Canadian Heraldic Authority

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The English kings of arms are assigned coronets of oak leaves inscribed with the words MISERERE MEI DEUS (Latin: "Have mercy on me, God"). Recently, a new coronet modeled on the crown among the Honours of Scotland has been made for the Lord Lyon. These coronets are only worn at coronations. For most state occasions, the kings of arms wear the same sort of beret-like hat which the other heralds wear.

Related Topics:
English - Latin - Honours of Scotland - Coronations

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