King of Arms

King of Arms
Post	King of Arms
Department	College of Arms, Court of the Lord Lyon
Reports to	Earl Marshal, Lord Lyon King of Arms
Appointer	The Crown
Formation	c. 13th century

King of Arms. A King of Arms is the senior rank of officer of arms, a heraldic expert with authority over a specific geographic area or heraldic jurisdiction. These officers are central to the grant and regulation of coats of arms and have played significant roles in state ceremonies throughout history. The position exists primarily within the heraldic authorities of the United Kingdom, such as the College of Arms in London and the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland.

Role and responsibilities

The primary duty is to grant and confirm armorial bearings within their province, acting under the authority of the Earl Marshal in England or the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland. They preside over the Heralds' Visitations, historical tours to record and regulate the use of arms by the gentry and nobility. Their responsibilities also include organizing and officiating at major state ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament, the Coronation, and the Order of the Garter services at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. They may also be called upon to advise the government on matters of protocol and precedence.

History and development

The office emerged in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, with early titles like Norroy King of Arms appearing during the reign of Edward I. The role evolved from earlier medieval heralds who served as messengers and identifiers on the battlefield during conflicts like the Hundred Years' War. The foundation of the College of Arms by Richard III in 1484 formalized their corporate structure. The English Reformation and the Union of the Crowns in 1603 under James VI and I further shaped their jurisdictions, while the Battle of Culloden and subsequent Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746 impacted heraldic authority in Scotland.

Insignia and regalia

A King of Arms is distinguished by a crown adorned with oak leaves, notably different from a coronet of a peer of the realm. Their official tabard, worn over ceremonial dress, is embroidered with the royal arms and is more elaborate than those of a Herald or Pursuivant. They carry a sceptre or wand of office, often bearing the sovereign's monogram, as a symbol of their authority derived from the Crown. The Lord Lyon King of Arms also possesses a unique Lyon Court badge and uses a special seal for granting arms.

Appointment and precedence

Appointment is traditionally by letters patent under the Great Seal of the Realm, acting on the advice of the Earl Marshal and formally made by the sovereign. Within the College of Arms, the three English Kings of Arms—Garter Principal King of Arms, Clarenceux King of Arms, and Norroy and Ulster King of Arms—hold a specific order of precedence. In Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms holds sovereign authority and ranks in precedence equivalent to a Lord of Session following the Treaty of Union. Their positions are for life, though they historically could be removed for misconduct, as occurred during the Wars of the Roses.

Notable Kings of Arms

Historically significant figures include Sir William Dugdale, a renowned antiquary who served as Garter King of Arms after the English Restoration. John Anstis was a prominent officer and heraldic scholar in the early 18th century. Sir Albert Woods served through much of the Victorian era, overseeing the heraldry for the Great Exhibition and the Funeral of Queen Victoria. In the 20th century, Sir Anthony Wagner, a leading genealogist, held the office of Garter Principal King of Arms.

In heraldic tradition

Beyond the British Isles, the title and concept have influenced other heraldic systems, such as those in the Kingdom of Spain and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The title "King of Arms" is sometimes used honorifically for the chief herald of certain chivalric orders, like the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Their proclamations and rulings, recorded in manuscripts like the Visitation books, form a critical archive for the study of genealogy, social history, and the peerage. The enduring pageantry associated with their office remains a visible link to the medieval Court of Chivalry and the feudal system.

Category:Heraldic offices Category:British honours system Category:Officers of arms