Who is current Garter King of arms?
David Vines White
List
Name | Dates of office |
---|---|
Sir Conrad Swan | 5 October 1992 – 1995 (retired) |
Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones | 5 October 1995 – 2010 (retired) |
Sir Thomas Woodcock | 1 April 2010 – 1 July 2021 |
David Vines White | 1 July 2021 – |
How is a coat of arms passed down?
The symbols on a coat of arms are meant to represent the achievements of the person, state, or corporation to whom or which the arms were granted. Once a family started using a coat of arms, it was passed down through the generations, from one to the other, even down to the present day.
What does the College of arms do?
Genealogical Research As well as being responsible for the granting of new coats of arms, the College maintains registers of arms, pedigrees, genealogies, Royal Licences, changes of name, and flags.
Can you visit the College of arms?
Only the entrance hall, which used to be a court-room for cases relating to coats of arms, may be visited.
What does the Garter King of Arms do?
The Garter King of Arms is the senior King of Arms, the highest rank of an officer of arms. Since 1415, the Garter has been the principal adviser to the sovereign of the United Kingdom with respect to flag-flying, ceremony and heraldry – which encompasses the design and display of coats of arms, badges and mottoes.
What does the king of arms do?
King of Arms is the senior rank of an officer of arms. In many heraldic traditions, only a king of arms has the authority to grant armorial bearings and sometimes certify genealogies and noble titles. In other traditions, the power has been delegated to other officers of similar rank.
What do heralds do?
A herald, or a herald of arms, is an officer of arms, ranking between pursuivant and king of arms. Heralds have been employed by kings and large landowners, principally as messengers and ambassadors. Heralds were required to organise, announce and referee the contestants at a tournament.
What is a herald in England?
herald, originally, an officer in medieval Europe charged with carrying messages to and from the commanders of opposing armies; in modern times, a professional authority on armorial history and genealogy.
Is the College of arms a government department?
Although it is not part of a Government Department, nor are the Officers of Arms civil servants, they are members of the Royal Household and are subject to the general supervision of the Duke of Norfolk, in his capacity of Earl Marshal. The College of Arms is thus one of the few official heraldic authorities left in the world.
What happened to the College of arms during the Civil War?
When the English Civil War began in 1642 during the reign of King Charles I, the College was divided: three kings of arms, three heralds and one pursuivant sided with the King and the Royalists, while the other officers began to court the services of the Parliamentarian side.
Who appoints the Heralds of the College of Arms?
For most of the time since their incorporation in 1484 heralds have been members of the Royal Household, directly appointed by the Sovereign on the recommendation of the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal. Since the re-incorporation in 1555 the College has consisted of thirteen officers of arms.
Why do members of the College of arms walk in procession?
The members of the College walk in the procession in virtue of them being Her Majesty’s “Kings, Heralds and Pursuivants of Arms of England.” They do so alongside their Scottish colleagues: the Lord Lyon, the Heralds and Pursuivants of Arms of the Lyon Court.