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English heraldry is the form of coats of arms and other heraldic bearings and insignia used in
England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...
. It lies within the so-called Gallo-British tradition. Coats of arms in England are regulated and granted to individuals by the English kings of arms of the College of Arms. An individual's arms may also be borne 'by courtesy' by members of the holder's
nuclear family A nuclear family, elementary family, cereal-packet family or conjugal family is a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically living in one home residence. It is in contrast to a single-parent family, the la ...
, subject to a system of cadency marks, to differentiate those displays from the arms of the original holder. The English heraldic style is exemplified in the arms of British royalty, and is reflected in the civic arms of cities and towns, as well as the noble arms of individuals in England. Royal orders in England, such as the
Order of the Garter The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. It is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system, outranked in precedence only by the Victoria Cross and the Georg ...
, also maintain notable heraldic bearings.


Characteristics

Like many countries' heraldry, there is a classical influence within English heraldry, such as designs originally on
Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
and Roman pottery. Many coats of arms feature
charges Charge or charged may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * '' Charge, Zero Emissions/Maximum Speed'', a 2011 documentary Music * ''Charge'' (David Ford album) * ''Charge'' (Machel Montano album) * ''Charge!!'', an album by The Aqu ...
related to the bearer's name or profession (e.g. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (The Queen Mother), depicting bows quartered with a
lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphi ...
), a practice known as "
canting arms Canting arms are heraldic bearings that represent the bearer's name (or, less often, some attribute or function) in a visual pun or rebus. French heralds used the term (), as they would sound out the name of the armiger. Many armorial al ...
". Some canting arms make references to foreign languages, particularly French, such as the otter (''loutre'' in French) in the arms of the Luttrel family. Representations in person of Saints or other figure are very rare, although there are however a few uses, mostly originating from seals, where there have never been such limitations. Although many places have dropped such iconography, the Metropolitan Borough of St Marylebone,
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
, includes a rendering of the Virgin Mary, although this is never stated. This is also the case in many other examples, particularly those depicting Christ, to remove religious complications. Unlike in mainland Europe where family crests make a large use of their eponymous Saints, these are few and far between in England. The lion is the most common charge, particularly in Royal heraldry. Heraldic roses are also common in English heraldry, as in the War of the Roses where both houses, Lancaster and York, used them, and in the ensuing Tudor dynasty. The heraldic eagle, while common on the European continent and particularly in
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG),, is a country in Central Europe. It is the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany lies between the Baltic and North Sea to the north and the Alps to the sou ...
, is relatively rare in English heraldry and, in early English heraldry, was often associated with alliances with German princes. The coat of arms of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, pictured on the left, uses almost all typical forms of heraldry in England: The first quarter consists of his father-in-law, Richard Beauchamp, who bore with an escutcheon of De Clare quartering
Despenser Despencer (le Despencer) or Despenser is an occupational surname referring to the medieval court office of steward, most commonly associated with Norman-English barons of the 13th- and 14th-centuries and their descendants. Notable people with this s ...
, now shown in Neville's fourth quarter. The second quarter shows the arms of the Montacutes (Montagu). The third quarter shows the arms of Neville differenced by a label for Lancaster.


History

King
Henry I of England Henry I (c. 1068 – 1 December 1135), also known as Henry Beauclerc, was King of England from 1100 to his death in 1135. He was the fourth son of William the Conqueror and was educated in Latin and the liberal arts. On William's death in ...
was said to have given a badge decorated with a lion to his son-in-law Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, and some have interpreted this as a grant of the lion arms later seen on his funerary enamel, but the first documented royal coat of arms appear on the Great Seal of Richard I, where he is depicted on horseback with a shield containing one lion on the visible half. Because several of his immediate kin used lion coats, it has been speculated that his father Henry II may likewise have borne a single-lion coat of arms, perhaps with the same colours as later used by the family, a gold lion on red. Heraldry is thought to have becoming popular among the knights on the first and second crusades, along with the idea of chivalry. James Ross Sweeney (1983). "Chivalry", in '' The Dictionary of the Middle Ages'', Volume III. Under Henry III, it gained a system of classification and a technical language.Boutell (1914), p. 9. However, over the next two centuries, the system was abused, leading to the swamping of true coats-of-arms. For the rest of the medieval period, it was popular within the upper classes to have a distinctive family mark for competitions and tournaments, and it was popular (although not prevalent) within the lower classes. It found particular use with knights, for practice and in the mêlée of battle, where heraldry was worn on embroidered fabric covering their armour. Indeed, their houses' signs became known as ''coats-of-arms'' in this way.Boutell (1914), p. 2. They were also worn on shields, where they were known as shields-of-arms. As well as military uses, the main charge was used in the seals of households. These were used to prove the authenticity of documents carried by heralds (messengers) and is the basis of the word ''heraldry'' in English. One example of this is the seal of John Mundegumri (1175), which bears a single fleur-de-lys. Prior to the 16th century, there was no regulation on the use of arms in England.


Religious influence on British Heraldry

Prehistoric religions Prehistoric religion is the religious practice of prehistoric cultures. Prehistory, the period before written records, makes up the bulk of human experience; over 99% of human history occurred during the Paleolithic alone. Prehistoric cultures ...
of the
Middle East The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (Europ ...
,
North India North India is a loosely defined region consisting of the northern part of India. The dominant geographical features of North India are the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Himalayas, which demarcate the region from the Tibetan Plateau and Centr ...
and the
Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on th ...
, associated lions to a
neolithic The Neolithic period, or New Stone Age, is an Old World archaeological period and the final division of the Stone Age. It saw the Neolithic Revolution, a wide-ranging set of developments that appear to have arisen independently in several part ...
goddess referred to as Potnia Theron, translated to the 'Mistress of Animals.' In this role, lions became associated with polarities such as the seasons, the zodiacal belt, and with the power of the elite. Importantly, this motif is more common in later Near Eastern and Mesopotamian art with a male figure, called the Master of Animals. Leading to the lion being culturally pictured as a master of the animal kingdom. With the incursions of the Indo-European speakers, this association changed. While initially through myths of confrontation between the goddess lions and the
hero A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ''actor''), ''hero ...
or
demigod A demigod or demigoddess is a part-human and part-divine offspring of a deity and a human, or a human or non-human creature that is accorded divine status after death, or someone who has attained the " divine spark" (spiritual enlightenment). ...
. Eventually, it became a direct association between the lion and the male deity, this led to an association with status and the divine authority of kingship. Lion imagery became associated with the
Zoroastrian Zoroastrianism is an Iranian religion and one of the world's oldest organized faiths, based on the teachings of the Iranian-speaking prophet Zoroaster. It has a dualistic cosmology of good and evil within the framework of a monotheistic ...
and Mithraic religions, as well as Judaeo,
Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words '' Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρ ...
, and Islamic
monotheism Monotheism is the belief that there is only one deity, an all-supreme being that is universally referred to as God. Cross, F.L.; Livingstone, E.A., eds. (1974). "Monotheism". The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 ed.). Oxford: Oxf ...
. Furthermore, it became central to Hindu and
Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...
beliefs, and in this way, spread eastward along the Silk Road. As the Silk Road further developed, the imagery of the lion westward with the
Roman Empire The Roman Empire ( la, Imperium Romanum ; grc-gre, Βασιλεία τῶν Ῥωμαίων, Basileía tôn Rhōmaíōn) was the post- Republican period of ancient Rome. As a polity, it included large territorial holdings around the Medite ...
reaching both China and Britain by the early 1st century. Lion imagery became incorporated into the defining cultural icons of both China and Britain, becoming steadily more populist and taking on culturally specific forms such as European heraldry and the Chinese lion dance.


Rolls of Arms

One of the first contemporary records of medieval heraldry is a
roll of arms A roll of arms (or armorial) is a collection of coat of arms, coats of arms, usually consisting of rows of painted pictures of shields, each shield accompanied by the name of the person bearing the arms. The oldest extant armorials date to the m ...
called ''Falkirk Rolls'', written soon after the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. It includes the whole range of recognised heraldic colours (including furs) and designs. This clearly demonstrates that English heraldry was fully developed at this time, and although the language is not quite identical, much of the terminology is the same as is still used. It is an occasional roll of arms, meaning it charted the heraldry visible on one occasion. Other rolls of arms covering England include the Caerlaverock Poem (composed 1300 about siege of Caerlaverock) and Glover's Roll (a mixed and varied collection from around the mid-13th century).


Court of the Earl Marshal

The position of herald in England was well defined, and so on January 5, 1420, William Bruges was appointed by King Henry V to be Garter King of Arms. No such position had been created in other countries. A succession of different titles was introduced over the next four centuries for principal governor of arms, including ''King of Arms''. Some were members of the College of Arms, some were not. Other holders of positions included the ''Falcon King of Arms'', a position created under King Edward III. Other positions were created for important counties, such as the ''Lancastrian King of Arms'', but the balance of power between them and those charged with larger regions remains unclear. During the Tudor period, grants of arms were made for significant contributions to the country by one of the Herald and Kings of Arms in a standard format, as in the case of Thomas Bertie, granted arms on 10 July 1550.Williams (1967), p. 261. This was given as a passage read out by the herald. Although many are written in English, it is possible they were also read out in Latin. The introduction in his case read: This seems to be the standard introduction, each herald using their name and position.


Nadir of English Heraldry

The early 18th century is often considered the nadir of English heraldry.Bedingfeld (1993), ''Heraldry'', p. 67.Woodcock & Robinson (1988), p. 43. The heraldic establishment was not held in high regard by the public; the authority of the Court of Chivalry (though not its armorial jurisdiction) was challenged, and an increasing number of ' new men' simply assumed arms, without any authority. This attitude is evident even in the appointment of the heralds themselves—Sir John Vanbrugh, a prominent dramatist and architect who knew nothing of heraldry, was appointed to the office of Clarenceux King of Arms, the second-highest office in the College of Arms. No new grants were made between November 1704 and June 1707. The situation slowly improved throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, with the number of new grants per year slowly rising—14 in 1747, 40 in 1784 and 82 in 1884. These numbers reflect an increasing geographical spread in grantees, due to a general increase of interest in heraldry. This was caused by a number of factors, including the creation of the
Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, which involved bathing (as a symbol of purification) as ...
in 1725, and grants of arms to its members, augmentations for honour granted to successful military commanders in the Peninsular and
Napoleonic war The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major global conflicts pitting the French Empire and its allies, led by Napoleon I, against a fluctuating array of European states formed into various coalitions. It produced a period of Fren ...
s, and the rise in popularity of name and arms clauses. The medieval period, and with it heraldry, also became popular as a result of the Romantic movement and Gothic revival.


Timeline


12th century

* 1127: King Henry I presents Count Geoffrey of Anjou with "a badge" decorated with a lion.Wagner, A. (1946). ''Heraldry in England'' * by 1146: Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Hertford execute separate agreements with equestrian seals showing chevrony shields, among the earliest surviving examples of heraldry in England. * 1155-60: The coloured enamel created to mark the tomb of Geoffrey of Anjou displays a coat of arms, the first depicted for the royal family, perhaps granted him by Henry I in 1127. * 1189: The Great Seal of King Richard the Lionheart depicts the first known royal arms. * 1198: Richard introduces new royal arms, the three-lion shield that remains the arms of England to this day.Woodcock, T. & Robinson, J.M. (1988). ''The Oxford Guide to Heraldry''


13th century

* Early examples of arms in Wales: Prince David ap Llewellyn 1246 and John ap John of Grosmont in 1249. * 1256: Walter le Vyelur, a painter, is an early example of a tradesman bearing arms.Velde, F. (1999) http://www.heraldica.com /ref> * c1276: The earliest reference to a Norroy King of Arms. * 1290s: The earliest known diocesan arms, for the See of Ely.Briggs, C. (1970). ''Civic and Corporate Heraldry''


14th century

* 1334: The earliest reference to a Clarenceux King of Arms. * After claiming the French throne in 1340, King Edward III quarters the French and English royal arms. The French arms remain part of the English arms for 460 years. * From 1340, the customary method of differencing the royal arms is a label (plain for the prince of Wales, bearing charges for other royals). * 1345: The Court of Chivalry hears its first heraldry case. * c1380:
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
assumes civic arms. * 1385–90: The famous case of Scrope v Grosvenor in the Court of Chivalry. * 1390s: Johannes de Bado Aureo publishes ''Tractatus de Armis''.


15th century

* By 1410, "a non-armigerous gentlemen is a rarity needing explanation."Wagner, A. (1939). ''Historic Heraldry of Britain'' * 1411: Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury, is an early example of bishops impaling their personal arms with those of their sees. * 1415: King Henry V establishes the office of Garter King of Arms, and makes him senior to the other kings of arms.
William Bruges William Bruges (c. 1375 – 9 March 1450) was an English officer of arms. He is best remembered as the first person appointed to the post of Garter King of Arms, which is currently the highest heraldic office in England. Origins Willia ...
is the first Garter 1415–50. * 1418: Henry V temporarily prohibits the bearing of self-assumed arms during his campaign in France; for some reason, this was later interpreted as a ban on self-assumed arms throughout England. * The three kings of arms are authorised to grant coats of arms, but self-assumption remains the norm. * By 1423, St Bartholomew's Hospital in London has assumed arms – probably the oldest example of medical heraldry in the kingdom. * 1439: Garter Bruges grants arms to the Worshipful Company of Drapers – the earliest known grant by a king of arms. * King Henry VI grants arms to
King's College King's College or The King's College refers to two higher education institutions in the United Kingdom: *King's College, Cambridge, a constituent of the University of Cambridge *King's College London, a constituent of the University of London It ca ...
(Cambridge) in 1441 and
Eton College Eton College () is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI of England, Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. i ...
in 1449 – the earliest examples of academic heraldry in England. * 1484: King Richard III organises the royal kings of arms, heralds, and pursuivants into a College of Arms, under authority of the Earl Marshal. * 1485: King Henry VII revokes the College of Arms' charter. * c1500: Garter
John Wrythe John Writhe (died 1504) was a long-serving English officer of arms. He was probably the son of William Writhe, who represented the borough of Cricklade in the Parliament of 1450–51, and is most remembered for being the first Garter King of Arms ...
introduces a system of distinguishing younger sons by adding marks of cadency to their paternal arms.


16th century

* In Wales, the bards attribute arms wholesale to the ancestors of the tribes. These are then "inherited" by their descendants. * 1530: King Henry VIII introduces heraldic visitations to record arms in use and prohibit any that are usurped or are borne by men of inferior social status. * 1538: Gloucester obtains a grant of arms, the first civic arms to be granted in England. * 1555: Queen Mary I of England reincorporates the College of Arms with a new charter. * 1561: The College of Arms rules that heraldic heiresses may not transmit their fathers' crests to their descendants. * 1562: Gerard Leigh publishes ''The Accedence of Armory''. * 1573: The
University of Cambridge , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
is granted arms.Fox-Davies, A.C. (1915). ''The Book of Public Arms'' * 1574: Arms of the
University of Oxford The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's second-oldest university in contin ...
and its colleges are recorded in a visitation.


17th century

* 1603: King James VI of Scotland inherits the English throne in 1603. The English and Scottish royal arms are combined, and a quartering depicting a harp is devised for Ireland. * 1610: John Guillim publishes ''A Display of Heraldry''. * 1646: During its civil war again King Charles I, Parliament closes the Court of Chivalry and appoints its own kings of arms in place of those who have remained loyal to the king. * 1649–60: While England is a republic ('Commonwealth'), the royal arms are replaced by new state arms. * 1660: The monarchy is restored and King Charles II nullifies grants made by the Commonwealth heralds. * 1667: The Court of Chivalry reopens. * Garter Sir William Dugdale states that assumed arms that have been used in a family for around 80 years are allowed to be borne by prescription.Pine, L.G. (1952). ''The Story of Heraldry'' * 1672: Charles II makes the office of Earl Marshal hereditary to the Dukes of Norfolk. * 1673: The College of Arms opens a register of arms. * From 1673, the kings of arms require the Earl Marshal's authority for each grant of arms. * 1681–87: The last round of visitations is held. The system lapses after the 'Glorious Revolution' 1688–89.


18th century

* Garter Henry St George begins to undermine the principle of bearing self-assumed arms by prescription by refusing to confirm them without formally granting them. * 1707: England and Scotland unite to form the Kingdom of Great Britain, but retain their separate heraldry laws and authorities. * 1737: The Court of Chivalry ceases to function. * From 1741, gentlemen have to be "eminent" to be eligible for grants of arms. * 1780: Joseph Edmondson publishes ''A Complete Body of Heraldry''. * 1798: Annual licensing of coats of arms is introduced to raise money for the war with France. It is discontinued after the war.


19th century

* 1801: Great Britain and Ireland amalgamate to form the United Kingdom, but the English, Scottish and Irish heraldry authorities remain separate. The royal arms are altered to reflect the union, and the French arms are dropped. * From 1806, an officer of the College of Arms is
Inspector of Regimental Colours The Inspector of Regimental Colours is an officer of arms responsible for the design of standards, colours and badges of the British Army and of those Commonwealth states where the College of Arms has heraldic jurisdiction. The office was created ...
, to oversee British army heraldry.Friar, S. (Ed) (1987). ''A New Dictionary of Heraldry'' * 1815: The College of Arms confirms that only peers and knights of the Garter and the Bath are entitled to supporters to their arms. * 1823–1944: Annual licensing of coats of arms (whether they are officially recognised or not) is reintroduced. * 1832: on the grounds that Lord Lyon's right to grant supporters according to the law and practice of Scotland was admitted and undoubted, the College of Arms reversed its resolution of 1812 which stated that 'in all future cases where arms certified by Lord Lyon were accompanied with supporters, the arms only be recorded unless the party be according to the Laws of Arms of England entitled to use such a distinction.' This means that supporters granted to commoners domiciled in Scotland, such as James Tennant, who was granted supporters in 1813, can be registered in England. * 1842: Bernard Burke publishes ''The General Armory''. * 1859: James Fairbairn publishes ''A Book of Crests''. * 1863: Charles Boutell publishes ''The Manual of Heraldry''. * 1889: West Sussex County Council obtains a grant of arms, the first to a county council. * 1889: Charles Elvin publishes ''A Dictionary of Heraldry''. * 1892: James Parker publishes ''A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry''. * 1894: Arthur Fox-Davies publishes ''The Book of Public Arms''. * 1895: Arthur Fox-Davies publishes ''Armorial Families''. * 1894: Mr Lloyd of Stockton registers personal arms containing 323 quarterings.


20th century

* 1902: Joseph Foster publishes ''Some Feudal Coats of Arms''. * 1906: The Earl Marshal authorises the granting of badges to armigers of all ranks. * 1909: Arthur Fox-Davies publishes ''A Complete Guide to Heraldry''. * 1919: The Royal Navy introduces a standard system of ships' badges. HMS ''Warwick'' is the first to bear an official badge. * 1924: The Royal Air Force College Cranwell obtains a grant of arms, the first to the RAF. * 1927: Bocking is the first parish council to obtain a grant of arms. * 1935: A standard pattern for Royal Air Force unit badges is introduced. * 1939: Anthony Wagner ( Portcullis Pursuivant) publishes ''Historic Heraldry of Britain''. * 1943: King George VI transfers the office of Ulster King of Arms to the College of Arms and combines it with the office of Norroy, with jurisdiction limited to Northern Ireland. * 1946: Anthony Wagner publishes ''Heraldry in England''. * 1947: The Society of Heraldic Antiquaries (later th
Heraldry Society
is established. It launches a journal, ''The Coat of Arms'', in 1950. * 1950: The College of Arms introduces a mark of difference for the arms of divorced women. * 1951: The first grants of arms to Northern Ireland: Londonderry and Tyrone. * 1954: The Court of Chivalry is reactivated for a test case between the Manchester City Council and a local theatre. * 1960: The Earl Marshal authorises the kings of arms to devise arms, on request, for towns in the United States of America, subject to approval by the relevant state governors. This is extended to other corporate bodies in the US in 1962. * 1967: The Earl Marshal authorises ecclesiastical hats for the arms of Roman Catholic clergy. * 1971: Geoffrey Briggs' ''Civic & Corporate Heraldry'' * 1973:
John Brooke-Little John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little (6 April 1927 – 13 February 2006) was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of ...
(Richmond Herald)'s ''An Heraldic Alphabet'' * 1976: The Earl Marshal authorises ecclesiastical hats for the arms of Anglican clergy. * 1988: Thomas Woodcock ( Somerset Herald) and John Robinson (Fitzalan Pursuivant) publish ''The Oxford Guide to Heraldry''. * 1993: Peter Gwynn-Jones ( York Herald) and Henry Paston-Bedingfeld ( Rouge Croix Pursuivant) publish ''Heraldry''. * 1995 and 1997: The College of Arms revises the rules for women's arms; inter alia, married women may now bear their arms on shields, with a mark of difference. http://www.cheshire-heraldry.org.uk /ref>


21st century

*2014: Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms issue impalement rules on same-sex marriages.


Regulation

Heraldry in England is heavily regulated by the College of Arms, who issue the arms. A person can be issued the arms themselves, but the college fields many requests from people attempting to demonstrate descent from an armigerous (arms-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 Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kins ...
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. Applications are open to anyone with a 'reputable status' (normally including a university degree, but officially down to the discretion of the college). The College of Arms was incorporated in 1484 by King Richard III, and is a corporate body consisting of the professional heralds who are delegated heraldic authority by the British monarch. Based in London, the college is one of the few remaining government heraldic authorities in Europe. Its legal basis relies on the Law of Arms, which makes the right to grant arms exclusively to ''due authority'', which has, since the late medieval period, been the Monarch or State, who gives the College of Arms this right and duty. Much of it is under the personal responsibility of the Monarch and not government, although the college has always been self-funded and independent. According to one source, the number of grants of arms in each half-century was roughly as follows: Although the accuracy of the figures is in doubt, the general trend is likely to be correct. It is clear that heraldry saw a resurgence in England in the early 19th century. Since 1797, no case of free assumption of arms has ever been successfully prosecuted in England. The Court of Chivalry, the court of enforcement of such cases, has fallen into unimportance.


Cadency

The English system of cadency allows
nuclear family A nuclear family, elementary family, cereal-packet family or conjugal family is a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically living in one home residence. It is in contrast to a single-parent family, the la ...
members to personally use the arms of the head of that family 'by courtesy'. This involves the addition of a ''
brisure In heraldry, cadency is any systematic way to distinguish Coat of arms, arms displayed by Lineal descendant, descendants of the holder of a coat of arms when those family members have not been granted arms in their own right. Cadency is necessa ...
'', or mark of difference to the original coat of arms. The brisure identifies the bearer's family relationship to the actual bearer of the arms, although there is some debate over how strictly the system should be followed, the accepted system is shown below: †also known as an octofoil Women do not display the "war-like" crest. Daughters have no special brisures, and customarily bear their father's arms on a lozenge while they are unmarried.Fox-Davies (1909), pp. 533–4. The wife of an armigerous man may bear her husband's arms alone on a shield or banner differenced by a small lozenge. If she bears arms in her own right, while she is married, a woman may '' marshal'' (combine) her or her father's arms with her husband's on a single shield, normally by impalement,.Fox-Davies (1909), p. 531. Upon becoming a widow, a woman may bear her late husband's arms alone on a lozenge, oval or similar vehicle of display, differenced by a lozenge and if she bears arms in her own right, returns to bearing her father's arms upon a lozenge, though now impaled with her late husband's arms. Her husband's arms are borne on the dexter side and her father's arms on the sinister side.


Royal coat of arms

The royal coat of arms is the official
coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, which in it ...
of the British monarch. These arms are used by the King in his official capacity as monarch, and are also known as ''Arms of Dominion''. Variants of the Royal Arms are used by other members of the Royal Family; and by the British Government in connection with the administration and government of the country. In
Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to th ...
, the monarch has a separate version of the Royal Arms, a variant of which is used by the Scotland Office. The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three lions passant guardant of
England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...
; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counter-flory of
Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to th ...
; and in the third, a harp for
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
.Boutell & Brooke-Little (1978), pp. 205–222. The crest is a lion statant guardant wearing the imperial crown, itself standing upon another representation of that crown. The dexter
supporter In heraldry, supporters, sometimes referred to as ''attendants'', are figures or objects usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. Early forms of supporters are found in medieval seals. However, unlike the co ...
is a likewise crowned
lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphi ...
, symbolizing
England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...
; the sinister, a
unicorn The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since Classical antiquity, antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn (anatomy), horn projecting from its forehead. In European literature and art, the unicor ...
, symbolising
Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to th ...
. According to legend, a free unicorn was considered a very dangerous beast; therefore the heraldic unicorn is chained, as were both supporting unicorns in the
Royal coat of arms of Scotland The royal arms of Scotland is the official coat of arms of the King of Scots first adopted in the 12th century. With the Union of the Crowns in 1603, James VI inherited the thrones of England and Ireland and thus his arms in Scotland were now q ...
. The coat features both the motto of English monarchs, ''
Dieu et mon droit (, fro, Deu et mon droit), which means "God and my right", is the motto of the monarch of the United Kingdom. It appears on a scroll beneath the shield of the version of the coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The motto is said to have firs ...
'' (God and my right), and the motto of the
Order of the Garter The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. It is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system, outranked in precedence only by the Victoria Cross and the Georg ...
, ''
Honi soit qui mal y pense (, , ) is a maxim in the Anglo-Norman language Anglo-Norman, also known as Anglo-Norman French ( nrf, Anglo-Normaund) (Standard French, French: ), was a dialect of Old Norman French that was used in Kingdom of England, England and, to a ...
'' (Shamed be he who thinks ill of it) on a representation of the Garter behind the shield.


Coat of arms of the British Royal Family

Children and male-line grandchildren of a monarch are usually granted their own coats of arms. Although many are given peerage titles named for places in Wales or Scotland, the royal family follows English heraldic tradition; indeed, most coats of arms of the royal family are based on the royal arms as described above.


County families

The Heraldic Visitations of the several counties of England were instituted in the 16th century and required each family which displayed coat armour to report to the visiting heralds, generally holding court in the county capital during a certain period, to declare its pedigree to show it came from ancient gentry stock. This has given rise to well recorded armorials of the ancient
gentry families Gentry (from Old French ''genterie'', from ''gentil'', "high-born, noble") are "well-born, genteel and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past. Word similar to gentle imple and decentfamilies ''Gentry'', in its widest co ...
from each county, which generally assumed amongst themselves the administration of the county on behalf of the monarch, filling such offices as
Sheriff A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland that is commonly transla ...
, Justice of the Peace, Commissioners, Knights of the Shire or Members of Parliament, and in the feudal era if tenants-in-chief fought in the royal army. * Cornish heraldry * Devon heraldry


Civic armory

Almost every town council, city council and major educational establishment has an official armorial bearing (coat of arms), although the use of such arms varies wildly, due to the governance of the institution, and who uses the arms, particularly concerning unitary authorities. The College of Arms grants arms only to people or corporate bodies, and so coats of arms are attributed to Borough, District or Town councils, rather than to a place or its populace. Mottos are common but not universal. Arms of such councils may feature the historical ecclesiastical arms of a local church,
cathedral A cathedral is a church that contains the ''cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denominatio ...
or
diocese In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associat ...
, such as the arms of Watford Borough Council which feature the arms of the Diocese of St. Albans. Similarly they can also feature the arms of a local patron Saint, as in the arms of St. Edmundsbury Borough Council which features the coat of arms of Saint Edmund. Another example is the use of the rose, the symbol of the
Virgin Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jews, Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Jose ...
.One such example, Carlisle
on the City Council website. Accessed 2009-01-05.
Others are derived from the arms of an associated influential family or local organisation, or their creation is granted as an honour to an influential person. In local government, however, there has been a move away from traditional heraldic style designs to clean, streamlined ones, as in the case of
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
. Whether this is a good or bad thing is a matter of debate. Often use is restricted to certain events and institutions within the town or city, its use superseded by the logo of the local borough council or Arms Length Management Organisation. Current uses of historical coats of arms normally include use in town halls and on litter bins and benches (where corporate-style council logos are deemed inappropriate).


Educational Institutions

Many British educational establishments have arms dating back hundreds of years, but the College of Arms continues to grant new arms to schools, colleges and universities each year. The arms of educational establishments often represent the aims of the institution and history of the establishment, town or major alumni. For instance the
Letters Patent Letters patent ( la, litterae patentes) ( always in the plural) are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, president or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, t ...
granting
Arms Arms or ARMS may refer to: *Arm or arms, the upper limbs of the body Arm, Arms, or ARMS may also refer to: People * Ida A. T. Arms (1856–1931), American missionary-educator, temperance leader Coat of arms or weapons *Armaments or weapons **Fi ...
to the University of Plymouth were presented by
Eric Dancer Sir Eric Dancer (born 17 April 1940) is a British businessman and formerly Lord-Lieutenant of Devon. Biography Dancer was born in Sheffield in 1940. He won a scholarship to King Edward VII School and went on to Sheffield Polytechnic where he ...
, CBE, JP, Lord Lieutenant of
Devon Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devon is ...
, in a ceremony at the University on 27 November 2008, in the presence of Henry Paston-Bedingfeld, York Herald of the College of Arms, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Plymouth, Judge William Taylor, the Recorder of Plymouth, and
Baroness Wilcox Baroness Wilcox may refer to: * Judith Wilcox, Baroness Wilcox (born 1939), British businesswoman * Debbie Wilcox, Baroness Wilcox of Newport Deborah Ann Wilcox, Baroness Wilcox of Newport (born 15 June 1957) is a Welsh Labour councillor, and ...
. The books represent the university's focus on learning and scholarship. The scattering of small stars represents
navigation Navigation is a field of study that focuses on the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another.Bowditch, 2003:799. The field of navigation includes four general categories: land navigation, ...
, which has played a key role in the history of the city and the university. The scallop shells in gold represent
pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, aft ...
, a sign of the importance of the departure of the Pilgrim Fathers from the
Barbican A barbican (from fro, barbacane) is a fortified outpost or fortified gateway, such as at an outer defense perimeter of a city or castle, or any tower situated over a gate or bridge which was used for defensive purposes. Europe In the Middle ...
aboard the Mayflower in 1620. A Pelican and a Golden Hind support the shield and reflect both the original and later, better known, name of Sir Francis Drake's ship. The crest contains the Latin motto ''Indagate Fingite Invenite'' ('Explore Dream Discover'), a quote from
Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has p ...
, reflecting the university's ambitions for its students and Plymouth's history of great seafarers. In the arms of Cranfield University (prepared by Sir Colin Cole, the sometime
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland ...
), the "bars wavy" in the chief of the shield are intended in combination with the
cranes Crane or cranes may refer to: Common meanings * Crane (bird), a large, long-necked bird * Crane (machine), industrial machinery for lifting ** Crane (rail), a crane suited for use on railroads People and fictional characters * Crane (surname), ...
to allude to the name ''Cranfield''. The three-branched torch in the base refers to learning and knowledge in the sciences of engineering, technology and management. In the crest, the astral crown alludes to the college of
Aeronautics Aeronautics is the science or art involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of air flight–capable machines, and the techniques of operating aircraft and rockets within the atmosphere. The British Royal Aeronautical Society identif ...
and also commemorates the contribution of its founding Chancellor, Lord Kings Norton, to the development of aeronautical research. The keys signify the gaining of knowledge by study and instruction. The owl, with its wings expanded, may also be taken to represent knowledge in the widest sense. In the badge, which repeats the keys, the crown rayonny refers both to the
royal charter A royal charter is a formal grant issued by a monarch under royal prerogative as letters patent. Historically, they have been used to promulgate public laws, the most famous example being the English Magna Carta (great charter) of 1215, but ...
under which Cranfield came into being and, by the finials composed of the rays of the sun, to energy and its application through engineering and technological skills to industry, commerce and public life. The chain which surrounds the badge shows the links between the various disciplines to be studied at the university and in itself also refers to engineering where it plays so many parts.


Heraldists

English heraldists include: *
Arthur Charles Fox-Davies Arthur Charles Fox-Davies (28 February 1871 – 19 May 1928) was a British expert on heraldry. His ''Complete Guide to Heraldry'', published in 1909, has become a standard work on heraldry in England. A barrister by profession, Fox-Davies wor ...
, author of ''
The Art of Heraldry ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in E ...
'',''The Complete Guide to Heraldry'' and the controversial ''The Right to Bear ''(published under the pseudonym "X"). * Charles Boutell, heraldic author and writer about antiques *
Constance Egan Constance Egan (1890 - 31 December 1975) was an English author and editor. Biography Constance Egan was born in 1890. She was the second wife of Raymond Brooke-Little, an electrical engineer, and mother of John Brooke-Little. John founded the S ...
, an English heraldist, as managing editor of the Heraldry Society's journal ''The Coat of Arms''. *
John Brooke-Little John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little (6 April 1927 – 13 February 2006) was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of ...
, son of the above and writer. *
Leslie Pine Leslie Gilbert Pine (22 December 1907 – 15 May 1987) was a British writer, lecturer, and researcher in the areas of genealogy, nobility, history, heraldry and animal welfare. Early life and education Pine was born at Bristol, the son of Henry Mo ...
, an
author An author is the writer of a book, article, play, mostly written work. A broader definition of the word "author" states: "''An author is "the person who originated or gave existence to anything" and whose authorship determines responsibility f ...
, lecturer, and researcher in the areas of
genealogy Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kins ...
,
nobility Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy (class), aristocracy. It is normally ranked immediately below Royal family, royalty. Nobility has often been an Estates of the realm, estate of the realm with many e ...
, history, heraldry and
animal welfare Animal welfare is the well-being of non-human animals. Formal standards of animal welfare vary between contexts, but are debated mostly by animal welfare groups, legislators, and academics. Animal welfare science uses measures such as longevit ...
born in
Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city i ...
. * Cecil Humphery-Smith,
OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
, FSA, a British genealogist and heraldist who founded the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies in
Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the primate of ...
. * Guy Stair Sainty, English antiquary, art dealer, expert on chivalric orders and heraldry; author of ''World Orders of Knighthood and Merit'', and other books.


Order of the Garter

Members of the
Order of the Garter The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. It is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system, outranked in precedence only by the Victoria Cross and the Georg ...
may encircle their arms with the Garter and, if they wish, with a depiction of the collar as well. However, the Garter is normally used alone, and the more elaborate version is seldom seen. Stranger Knights and Ladies do not embellish the arms they use in their countries with English decorations. Knights and Ladies Companion are also entitled to receive heraldic supporters, a privilege granted to few other private individuals. While some families claim supporters by ancient use, and others have been granted them as a special reward, only peers, Knights and Ladies Companion of the Garter, Knights and Ladies of the Thistle, and certain other knights and ladies are automatically entitled to them. On January 5, 1420, William Bruges was appointed by King Henry V to be Garter King of Arms. Since the creation of the position, it has been changed into the position
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland ...
, but the duties remain the same. '' Ex officio'', it also makes the position's holder head of the College of Arms, and subsequently is usually appointed from among the other officers of arms at the college. The Garter Principal is also the principal adviser to the Sovereign of the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
(particularly
England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...
,
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
and
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label=Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. North ...
) with respect to ceremonial and heraldry.


See also

Heraldry of English county families: * Cornish heraldry * Devon heraldry


Notes


References

* * * * * * * * * *


External links


College of Arms
* {{DEFAULTSORT:English Heraldry British heraldry