Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society

Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society is a student society at the University of Cambridge dedicated to the study and promotion of heraldry and genealogy. Founded in the 1960s, it serves as a forum for lectures, visits, and research into coats of arms, family history, and related historical disciplines. The society maintains connections with national institutions like the College of Arms and the Society of Genealogists.

History

The society was established during a period of renewed academic interest in auxiliary sciences of history, with early meetings often held in historic Cambridge college venues. Its founding coincided with a broader revival in heraldic art and the popularization of genealogical research in post-war Britain. Throughout its history, the society has hosted numerous officers of arms from the College of Arms and prominent historians from institutions like the Institute of Historical Research. Key events in its calendar have included annual dinners and visits to locations such as Westminster Abbey and the British Library.

Activities and publications

The society's primary activities consist of a regular program of lectures from experts in fields like sigillography, peerage law, and manuscript studies. It organizes visits to archives including the National Archives at Kew and historic sites like Herald's College. Past speakers have included figures from the Royal Household, Garter Principal King of Arms, and academics from the University of Oxford. While not a frequent publisher, the society has occasionally produced pamphlets and guides, and its members often contribute to journals like *The Coat of Arms* and *Genealogists' Magazine*.

Governance and membership

The society is run by a committee of University of Cambridge students, typically including a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, who are elected annually. A senior member, often a fellow of a Cambridge college with relevant expertise, acts as a patron or advisor. Membership is open to all members of the University of Cambridge, with associate status sometimes extended to alumni and members of other institutions like the University of London. The society operates under the broader umbrella of the Cambridge University Students' Union.

Notable members and alumni

Alumni of the society have pursued distinguished careers in related fields. These include officers of arms at the College of Arms, such as past Lancaster Herald and York Herald, as well as archivists at the National Records of Scotland. Other notable figures include historians who have worked on projects like the *Oxford Dictionary of National Biography*, members of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and legal experts in hereditary peerage cases heard before the House of Lords.

Heraldic and genealogical significance

The society plays a role in sustaining the academic study of heraldry within a major university, fostering interest in disciplines like vexillology and onomastics. It provides a unique bridge between the academic world and the traditional practices upheld by the Court of Chivalry and the Earl Marshal. Through its activities, it contributes to the preservation and understanding of medieval and early modern symbols of identity, connecting them to contemporary research in social history and material culture across Europe.

Category:University of Cambridge societies Category:Heraldic societies Category:Genealogical societies