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128-958: The CHA is the Canadian counterpart of the College of Arms in London , the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland , the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland in the Republic of Ireland , and U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry for federal agencies of the United States . Now know Ye that We, by and with the advice of our Privy Council of Canada, do by these presents authorize and empower Our Governor General of Canada to exercise or provide for

256-578: A Member of Parliament from Bletchingley was appointed Garter, thus "Parliament which rejected its King created for itself a King of Arms". During this time the heralds continued their work and were even present on 26 June 1657 at Oliver Cromwell 's second installation ceremony as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth . On 8 May 1660, the heralds at the command of the Convention Parliament proclaimed Charles II, King at Westminster Hall Gate. It

384-465: A biography or curriculum vitae of the petitioner. Corporate petitions must include a brief history of the company, proof of incorporation in Canada, financial reports, and a copy of the corporation's governing body resolution seeking a grant of arms. The Chief Herald of Canada can approve or reject the petition. If the petition is approved, the authority to make the grant is given through a warrant signed by

512-626: A fire risk and the cause of great anxiety among the heralds. In 1775 the College Surveyor drew attention to this problem, but to no avail. In February 1800, the College was asked by a Select Committee of the House of Commons to report to them the state of public records; again the heralds drew attention to the proximity of the Sugar House. Members of the committee inspected the College premises and reported to

640-638: A new grant from the King of Arms. Technically, however, arms can also be gained by a grant from the Crown, by prescription (meaning in use since time immemorial ), by succeeding to an office, or by marriage. The descent of arms closely follows the Law of heraldic arms , which is a branch of English law, interpreted by civil lawyers in the Court of Chivalry. Sir Edward Coke in his Commentary upon Littleton (1628) wrote that "gentry and armes

768-455: A new octagonal-shaped Record Room on the site of the old Sugar House. In 1861 a proposal was made to construct a road from Blackfriars to the Mansion House ; this would have resulted in the complete demolition of the College. However, protests from the heralds resulted in only parts of the south east and south west wings being sliced off, requiring extensive remodelling. The College was now

896-468: A new structure on the old site. The costs of the rebuilding was financed in stages, and the structure was erected slowly in parts. The heralds contributed significantly out of their own pockets; at the same time, they also sought subscriptions among the nobility, with the names of contributors recorded into a series of splendid manuscripts known as the Benefactors Books. By 1683 the College part of

1024-501: A portion of land in the new districts on which to build a house to keep their records. A petition from the College was given to the Lords of the Treasury setting out the herald's reason for the move: "that the local situation of the College is so widely detached from the proper scene of the official duties and occupations of Your Memorialists and from the residences of that class of persons by whom

1152-512: A quadrangle, entered through a gate with a portcullis on the west side. On the south range, roughly where Queen Victoria Street now stands, was a large hall on the western end. Derby Place's hearth tax bill from 1663, discovered in 2009 at the National Archives at Kew , showed that the building had about thirty-two rooms, which were the workplace as well as the home to eleven officers of arms. The reign of Mary's sister Elizabeth I saw

1280-518: A royal warrant to enter all houses and churches and given authority to deface and destroy all arms unlawfully used by any knight, esquire, or gentleman. Around the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries this duty became even more necessary as the monasteries were previously repositories of local genealogical records. From then on, all genealogical records and the duty of recording them was subsumed by

1408-593: A temporary office was opened in an apartment called the Queen's court. An announcement was also made in the London Gazette to draw public notice to the situation. Due to a shortage of funds, the planned rebuilding of a new College was delayed until 1670. It was then that Francis Sandford , the Rouge Dragon Pursuivant and Morris Emmett, the King's bricklayer, were together able to design and begin construction of

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1536-559: A three-sided building with an open courtyard facing the New Queen Victoria Street laid out in 1866. The terrace, steps and entrance porch were also added around this time. On 18 October 1869, a warrant for a commission of inquiry into the state of the College was established. The warrant, issued on the behalf of the Duke of Norfolk , stated "that it is desirable that the College of Arms should be visited, and an inquiry instituted with

1664-581: A warrant by the Governor General on 15 January 1994, in honour of the authority's fifth anniversary, which was celebrated the previous year. The full armorial bearings of the Canadian Heraldic Authority incorporate aboriginal symbolism, as seen in the mythical raven-bears, as well as the national symbol of the maple leaf and the traditional Canadian colours of red and white , which were made official by King George V in 1921. The crest

1792-541: Is a modification of the Royal Crest of Canada: a lion wearing a crown and bearing a maple leaf. The crest of the authority features the same lion, instead holding a white shield containing a red maple leaf, symbolising the governor general's authority under the Crown to grant armorial bearings to Canadians. The shield itself is white with a red maple leaf, similar to the middle portion of the Canadian flag . The white shield upon

1920-451: Is an honorary position for those who have made notable contributions to heraldry. Honorary heralds can be enlisted by the CHA to perform work for them. Each honorary position grants the individual a badge and a title also based on a Canadian river. Any Canadian citizen or corporate body can petition for a grant of new arms or registration of existing arms. In general, eligibility for a grant of arms

2048-448: Is based on an individual's contributions to the community, although the exact criteria for grants or registrations have not been published. A number of grants have been made to people who have already been recognized with state honours for their notable achievements, such as through admission to the Order of Canada , and who are accordingly entitled to a grant of arms. Those who are Companions of

2176-704: Is currently the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel for 12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance . Watt served as a citizenship judge in Vancouver from September 2009 to September 2015. He was president of the Académie Internationale d'Héraldique between 2015 and 2022. In 2019, he wrote People Among the People: The Public Art of Susan Point , a non-fiction book describes the collected work of Susan Point through interviews and archival research. He

2304-463: Is in a sense a work of art in itself, plus other administrative costs borne by the heralds, and for the upkeep of the College. Once the Earl Marshal has approved the petition he will issue his Warrant to the King of Arms. This will allow them to proceed with the granting of the arms. Now the designing and formation of the arms begin. Although the King of Arms has full discretion over the composition of

2432-701: Is located at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, the official residence of the monarch and the governor general. The governor general, as the personal representative of the Canadian monarch , is the highest authority in Canadian heraldry. Below the governor general is the Herald Chancellor , a position held by the Secretary to the Governor General . The CHA is currently organized in an office called the Chancellery of Honours, which

2560-503: Is the nature of gavelkinde , for they descend to all the sonnes." Arms in England therefore descend to all of the male lines, and not just the most senior alone (unlike in Scotland). When a new grant of arms is to be made, it is granted through Letters Patent . The Crown delegates all of this authority to the King of Arms, however before any letters can be issued they must have a warrant from

2688-505: Is the same office that issues Canadian orders and decorations, such as the Order of Canada . The deputy secretary that administers the Chancellery of Honours is also the Deputy Herald Chancellor. The Chief Herald of Canada , whose job is to oversee and direct all operations of the CHA, bears the main responsibility of granting arms, though the governor general has the authority to grant arms directly. The position of chief herald

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2816-563: Is usually placed next to the Lord Great Chamberlain in the procession; he has the duty of guiding, but not performing, the ceremony. Garter's duties during the coronation ceremony are therefore not unlike those of a Master of Ceremonies . It is only during this ceremony that the Kings of Arms are allowed to wear their distinctive crowns , the only group of individuals, apart from the King and Queen, authorised to do so. At State funerals

2944-497: The Canada Gazette , Part I, under the section "Government House". The Government of Canada requires that the above processes be financed by the petitioner; that is the person requesting the grant or registration of arms, who pays the fees associated with the request and grant/registration. In Canada, the petitioner does not "buy" a coat of arms, the arms themselves are freely given to qualified individuals, but fees must be paid to

3072-838: The 2008 New Year Honours and received his insignia from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace on May 16, 2008. Watt is also an Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John and has been awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal , the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal . He was made an Honorary Senior Fellow of Renison University College in 1990. He

3200-503: The British Museum . There has been some evidence that prior to this charter, the royal heralds had already in some ways behaved like a corporation as early as 1420. Nevertheless, the charter is the earliest surviving document to affirm the chapter as a corporate body of heralds. The charter outlines the constitution of the officers, their hierarchy, the privileges conferred upon them and their jurisdiction over all heraldic matters in

3328-464: The British Sovereign and are delegated authority to act on behalf of the Crown in all matters of heraldry , the granting of new coats of arms , genealogical research and the recording of pedigrees . The College is also the official body responsible for matters relating to the flying of flags on land, and it maintains the official registers of flags and other national symbols. Though a part of

3456-522: The Canadian Shield , a geological formation which the authority foundation is based on. The Canadian Shield is formed by rocks, which are covered in red coloured maple leaves and by golden maple seeds. The motto that was chosen is Latin for Let us honour those who honour our country . The shield and crest alone comprise the heraldic badge of the CHA, which is used on the seal of the Authority and on

3584-518: The Earl of Arundel , the Deputy Earl Marshal. On 5 February 2009 a fire broke out at the west wing on the third and fourth floor of the College building. Eight London Fire Brigade fire engines were able to bring the flames under control, in the meantime 35 people were evacuated from the building and a further 100 from adjacent buildings. No records or books of the College were damaged. Repairs to

3712-520: The Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520, Henry VIII brought with him eighteen officers of arms, probably all he had, to regulate the many tournaments and ceremonies held there. Nevertheless, the College's petitions to the King and to the Duke of Suffolk in 1524 and 1533 for the return of their chapter house were rejected, and the heralds were left to hold chapter in whichever palace the royal court happened to be at

3840-560: The Kingdom of England . The King empowered the College to have and use only one common seal of authority , and also instructed them to find a chaplain to celebrate mass daily for himself, Anne Neville , the Queen Consort , and his heir, Prince Edward . The College was also granted a house named Coldharbour (formerly Poulteney's Inn) on Upper Thames Street in the parish of All-Hallows-the-Less , for storing records and living space for

3968-702: The Royal Exchange . During the Coronation Ceremony , members of the College form part of the Royal procession as it enters Westminster Abbey . The members of the College walk in the procession in virtue of them being His 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. The Garter King of Arms

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4096-568: The Royal Household of the United Kingdom , the College is self-financed, unsupported by any public funds. Founded by royal charter in 1484 by King Richard III of England , the College is one of the few remaining official heraldic authorities in Europe. Within the United Kingdom, there are two such authorities, the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland and the College of Arms for the rest of

4224-402: The 1988 letters patent authorising the governor general "to exercise or provide for the exercise of all powers and authorities lawfully belonging to Us as Queen of Canada in respect of the granting of armorial bearings in Canada". These letters patent were presented by Prince Edward to the governor general on behalf of the Crown. Subsequently, the Governor General , Jeanne Sauvé , authorised

4352-400: The Canadian Heraldic Authority to a staff member in then- Secretary of State David Crombie 's office. Mr. Crombie had his department organise a meeting in Ottawa the following year, to which many national and international heraldic experts were invited. The meeting concluded with "a strong recommendation to government that an Authority be created." Two years later, Queen Elizabeth II issued

4480-471: The Canadian Heraldic Authority to have their arms registered. There is no cost associated with application for registration and it takes less time, approximately three months, than application for a new award of arms. The blazon , or technical description in heraldic language, of the full armorial bearings is below, along with its plain English description: The current arms of the authority were confirmed in

4608-430: The College building was almost consumed by fire, which had already levelled all the buildings to the east of the College on Queen Victoria Street. The building was given up for lost, when a change in the wind saved it. At the end of the war, all of the records were returned safely to the College. In 1943 the College was given new responsibilities when the office of Ulster King of Arms was annexed and combined with those of

4736-429: The College has always been able to carry out changes from within itself. The commission also drew attention to the fees, annulments and library of the College, as well as the general modernisation of the chapter as a whole. When the commission made its report in 1870, it recommended many changes, and these were duly made in another warrant dated 27 April 1871. Burke's recommendation, however, was not implemented. Despite

4864-625: The College of Arms in the UK to Canada. The push for a wholly Canadian heraldic system came largely from the Heraldry Society of Canada (now the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada ) almost from its inception, though it was not seen as a priority by successive national governments. In 1986, Vicki Huntington, a politician from British Columbia, forwarded a brief written by the RHSC calling for the creation of

4992-416: The College of the office of arms". Derby Place was situated in the parish of St Benedict and St Peter, south of St Paul's Cathedral , more or less on the College's present location. There are records of the heralds carrying out modifications to the structure of Derby Place over many years. However, little record of its appearance has survived, except the description that the buildings formed three sides of

5120-491: The College revived as an institution of state and the monarchy. However, the abrupt end of his reign saw all but one of the heralds taking the side of William of Orange and Mary II in the Glorious Revolution . The period from 1704 to 1706 saw not a single grant of arms being made by the College; this nadir was attributed to the changes in attitude of the times. The Acts of Union 1707 between England and Scotland, in

5248-530: The College were made in the reign of James I . Eventually, these animosities among the heralds in the College ended only after the expulsion of one and the death of another. 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

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5376-522: The College's resources. Eventually with the help of the Ministry of Works and a public subscription, the building was repaired in time for the College's 4th centenary of being in possession of Derby Place. The present gates to the building were added in 1956, and came originally from Goodrich Court in Herefordshire. The new gates displayed the College's arms and crest. In the year of the quincentenary of

5504-459: The College. If there is a possibility of such an inheritance, one must first contact an officer-in-waiting at the College, who could then advise on the course of action and the cost of such a search. The research into a descent of arms requires details of paternal ancestry, which will involve the examination of genealogical records. First there is a search of the family name in the College's archives, as coats of arms and family name has no connection ,

5632-464: The College. These visitations were serious affairs, and many individuals were charged and heavily fined for breaking the law of arms . Hundreds of these visitations were carried out well into the 17th century; the last was in 1686. The College found a patroness in Mary I , although it must have been embarrassing for both sides, after the heralds initially proclaimed the right of her rival Lady Jane Grey to

5760-474: The Crown", and that the College had "adopted practices in connection with matters within their jurisdiction which seem highly improper in themselves, and calculated to bring the royal prerogative into contempt." These accusations concern the actions of certain heralds, who overzealously advocate the cases of their paid clients, even against the opposition of the ministers of the day. Sir Anthony Wagner writes that "The officers of these departments, no doubt, in

5888-399: The Crown, civil or military commissions, university degrees, professional qualifications, public and charitable services, and eminence or good standing in national or local life" will be taken into account. In the past this issue of eligibility has been a source of great conflict between the heralds; such submissions are made on an officer for clients basis, which meant some "unsuitability"

6016-407: The Earl Marshal agreeing to the granting of arms. This has been the case since 1673, when the authority of the Earl Marshal, which the heralds had challenged, was established by a royal declaration stating, among other things, that no patents of arms should be granted without his consent. This established the present system whereby royal authority to approve candidates for grants of arms is exercised by

6144-443: The Earl Marshal's Warrant. As of 1 January 2024 the fees for a personal grant of arms, including a crest , is £8,950; a grant to a non-profit body is £18,415; and to a commercial company is £27,450. This grant may include a grant of a badge , supporters or a standard , depending on the letters patent. The fees mainly go towards commissioning the artwork and calligraphy on the vellum Letters Patent , which must be done by hand and

6272-434: The Earl Marshal, and royal authority to grant the arms themselves is exercised by the Kings of Arms. First a petition, called a memorial, is submitted to the Earl Marshal. This memorial will be drawn up for the petitioner by an officer of arms, if it is felt that such a petition would be accepted. Currently there are no set criteria for eligibility for a grant of arms; however the College recommends that "awards or honours from

6400-573: The Earl Marshal, who receives the text of the proclamation in person from the council. The proclamation is to be read at several locations in London. Traditionally the first reading is made from the Friary Court balcony at St James's Palace. Another reading and ceremony is held at Temple Bar . There a detachment of heralds, accompanied by troops of the Royal Horse Guards , formally demand admission to

6528-488: The Herald Chancellor or the Deputy Herald Chancellor. The authorisation is then sent to one of the heralds, and the process begins. The granting of arms is regarded as an honour from the monarch, via the governor general, and thus are bestowed only on those whom the Chief Herald has deemed individuals worthy of receiving a grant of arms. First, the assigned herald develops a written description based on consultation with

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6656-458: The Heralds' College"; the main issues being the anomalous position of the College, who are theoretically officials of the Royal Household, but actually derive their income from fees paid by private individuals for their services. Some of the members of the committee (a minority) wanted (like Burke thirty-four years earlier) to make officers of the College of Arms into "salaried civil servants of

6784-450: The House that the College must either be moved to a new building or secured against the risk of fire. Again nothing was done; in 1812 water seeped through the walls of the College damaging records. The Surveyor traced the leak back to a shed recently erected by Alderman Smith, owner of the Sugar House, who declared his readiness to do everything he could, but who actually did very little to rectify

6912-813: The Houses of Parliament. The heralds, including both ordinary and extraordinary officers, form the front part of the Royal Procession , preceding the Sovereign and other Great Officers of State . The procession starts at the bottom of the Victoria Tower , then proceeds up the Norman Porch to the Robing Chamber. Once the Sovereign has put on the Imperial State Crown , the heralds lead the monarch once again through

7040-416: The King and to nominate their own candidates to fill these vacant offices. Those officers whose loyalty remained with the King were persecuted; first they were deprived of their offices, then of their emoluments, then a fine was imposed and some were even imprisoned. In spite of this, the institutional College was protected by the Parliamentarians, and their rights and work continued unabated. Edward Bysshe

7168-404: The King of Arms of the Southern parts, the King of Arms of the Northern parts, the King of Arms of Wales, and all other heralds and pursuivants of arms". The charter then goes on to state that the heralds "for the time being, shall be in perpetuity a body corporate in fact and name, and shall preserve a succession unbroken." This charter titled " Literæ de incorporatione heraldorum " is now held in

7296-414: The Norroy King of Arms, creating a new office called Norroy and Ulster King of Arms; Sir Algar Howard thus became the first to hold this office. Although the College building was saved from the war, its walls and roof were left in a perilous state. In 1954 a decision was forced upon heralds, whether to abandon the old building (which would have been profitable financially) or repair it on a scale far beyond

7424-411: The Parliament and all the actions of the Lord Protector, without penalising any of their supporters (except for the regicides ). Accordingly, all the grant of arms of the Commonwealth College was declared null and void. Furthermore, all heralds appointed during the Interregnum lost their offices, while those appointed originally by Charles I returned to their places. The exception was Edward Bysshe, who

7552-415: The Royal Gallery into the House of Lords, remain with the monarch during the speech and accompany the monarch to the bounds of the Palace. Garter Service or Garter Day is held in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle every June on the Monday of Royal Ascot week . On this occasion, new Companions of the Order of the Garter are personally invested with their insignia in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle by

7680-413: The Sovereign. All the members then have lunch in the Waterloo Chamber , wearing their blue velvet robes and black velvet hats with white plumes. Afterwards the members walk from the Upper Ward of the castle towards St George's Chapel. During their procession they are led by members of the College of Arms in their tabards, the Military Knights of Windsor and contingents of the Sovereign's Bodyguard . After

7808-418: The United Kingdom is the sole prerogative of the British monarch. However, the monarch has delegated this power to two authorities: the Lord Lyon, with jurisdiction over Scotland, and the College of Arms, over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Under the latter's jurisdiction, the right to arms is acquired exclusively either by proving descent in an unbroken male line from someone registered as so entitled or by

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7936-410: The United Kingdom. The College has had its home in the City of London since its foundation, and has been at its present location, on Queen Victoria Street , since 1555. The College of Arms also undertakes and consults on the planning of many ceremonial occasions such as coronations , state funerals , the annual Garter Service and the State Opening of Parliament . Heralds of the College accompany

8064-413: The accompanying legal text and explanation of the symbolism of the bearings. Under Canadian bilingualism laws , letters patent are written in both English and French, though the petitioner may choose which language will be placed in the left column of the document. Completed grant documents are recorded in the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada and the notice of the grant is published in

8192-436: The arms, he will take into full account the wishes of the applicant. These will include allusions and references to the applicant's life and achievements. The design of any new coat of arms must abide by all the rules of heraldry as well as being entirely original and distinct from all previous arms recorded in the College's archives. A preliminary sketch will then be approved and sent to the petitioner for approval. As soon as

8320-425: The battle. Henry's first Parliament of 1485 passed an Act of Resumption, in which large grants of crown properties made by his two predecessors to their supporters were cancelled. Whether this act affected the status of the College's charter is debatable; however, the act did facilitate the de facto recovery of Coldharbour to the crown. Henry then granted the house to his mother Lady Margaret Beaufort , for life. This

8448-417: The change." Secondly they concluded that from now on the College was to be entirely subordinated to the Home Office, and that a standing inter-departmental committee be established to settle any future conflicts. In 1934, on the 450th anniversary of the incorporation of the College of Arms, an exhibition was held at the College of the heralds' principal treasures and other associated interests. The exhibition

8576-446: The college's privileges confirmed by an act of Parliament in 1566. As well as the drawing up of many important internal statutes and ordinances for the College by Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk , the Earl Marshal, dated 18 July 1568. The long reign saw the College distracted by the many quarrels between Garter William Dethick , Clarenceux Robert Cooke and York Herald Ralph Brooke about their rights and annulments. Disputes in which

8704-438: The committee made their report in June 1928 they suggested several reforms to tackle the main issues which had brought the College into so much conflict with the Home Office. Firstly they concluded that the fees systems were adequate and no change was necessary in that regard. They justified this by stating that "placing all or even a few of the Officers on a fixed salary outweigh any advantages which might be expected to result from

8832-457: The composition of the blazon is agreed by both parties a final grant can be created. This takes the form of a handmade colourfully illuminated and decorated Letters Patent. The letter is written and painted in vellum by a College artist and scrivener . The grant is then signed and sealed by the King of Arms. It is then handed to the petitioner, authorising the use of arms blazoned therein as the perpetual property of himself and his heirs. A copy of

8960-420: The creation of the Canadian Heraldic Authority on June 4, 1988. As a result, Canada became the first Commonwealth realm outside the United Kingdom to have its own heraldic authority. Canada also provides full equality to women in terms of inheriting and transmitting arms. Additionally, all armigers within Canada may file for trademark protection of their grant of arms under the Trade-Marks Act. The authority

9088-437: The exercise of all power and authorities lawfully belonging to Us as Queen of Canada in respect of the granting of armorial bearings in Canada. Prior to the creation of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, Canadians wishing to obtain a legally granted coat of arms had to apply to one of the two heraldic offices in the United Kingdom : either the College of Arms in London or the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh . This process

9216-483: The famous Burke's Peerage ), at the time Ulster King of Arms, gave the commission the advice that the College should "be made a Government Department, let its Officers receive fixed salaries from Government, and let all its fees be paid into the public exchequer. This arrangement would, I am sure, be self-supporting and would raise at once the character of the Office and the status of the Heralds." Burke's suggestion for reform

9344-471: The findings of this inquiry, the issues surrounding the status and position of the College continued. At the beginning of the 20th century these issues were once again brought to the forefront. In 1903 an inquiry was set up at the instructions of Arthur Balfour , soon to be Prime Minister . The committee of inquiry was to consist of eight members; Sir Algernon West was made chairman. They were tasked to investigate "the constitution, duties and administration of

9472-588: The first Chief Herald of Canada . He was appointed at the foundation of the Canadian Heraldic Authority in 1988, and he was succeeded by Claire Boudreau in 2007. Watt was born in Picton, Ontario , in 1945. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 1967 and a Master of Arts in 1968 from Carleton University . From 1969 to 1970, he was an archivist for the Public Archives of Canada. From 1971 to 1973, he

9600-522: The first Howard appointed to both positions. In the first year of his reign, the royal heralds were incorporated under royal charter dated 2 March 1484, under the Latin name " Le Garter regis armorum Anglicorum, regis armorum partium Australium, regis armorum partium Borealium, regis armorum Wallæ et heraldorum, prosecutorum, sive pursevandorum armorum. " Translated as: "the Garter King of Arms of England,

9728-450: The first which exemplify the usage, introduced by Henry VIII, of granting to his Consorts 'Augmentations' to their paternal arms. It is a striking illustration of the degenerate condition of Heraldry under the second Tudor Sovereign." It was also in this reign in 1530, that Henry VIII conferred on the College one of its most important duties for almost a century, the heraldic visitation . The provincial Kings of Arms were commissioned under

9856-402: The grant is always made for the College's own register. Once granted, a coat of arms becomes the hereditary and inheritable property of the owner and his descendants. But it can only be inherited by a legitimate male-line descendant of the original grantee of the arms. To establish the right to arms by descent, one must be able to prove that an ancestor had his arms recorded in the registers of

9984-539: The heralds and artists for the services rendered. The average time needed to complete a grant is about 12 to 14 months, though it can take longer for particularly detailed or intricate arms. From July 20, 2021, the Canadian Heraldic Authority announced on its Facebook page the launch of online grant application forms, in an effort to modernize the institution and make the "900-year-old tradition" available to all those who are eligible. Those individuals and institutions who already possess legitimate awards of arms may apply to

10112-594: The heralds appear in their full uniforms only twice a year: at the State Opening of Parliament and at the Garter Service at Windsor Castle in June. The organisation and planning of all State ceremonies falls within the prerogative of the Earl Marshal, the College's chief. As a result, the heralds have a role to perform within every significant royal ceremony. The (usually annual) State Opening of Parliament takes place at

10240-506: The heralds once again take their place at the front of the royal procession as it enters the place of worship. Historically during the procession of royal funerals (usually of the Sovereign) the heralds would carry a piece of armour, representing the various marks of chivalry. These included the helm and crest , spurs , gauntlet , target (shield of arms) , sword and a literal 'coat of arms' (a heraldic surcoat ). This procession of chivalry

10368-465: The heralds. The house, built by Sir John de Pulteney , four times Lord Mayor of London , was said to be one of the greatest in the City of London. The defeat and death of Richard III at Bosworth field was a double blow for the heralds, for they lost both their patron, the King, and their benefactor, the Earl Marshal, who was also slain. The victorious Henry Tudor was crowned King Henry VII soon after

10496-416: The heralds. The College nevertheless continued with their plans. However they were constantly beset by conflicts between the different officers over the amount needed to build a new building. By 1827 the college still had no coherent plan; the Duke of Norfolk ordered the College to drop the matter altogether. By 1842 the heralds were reconciled with their location and once again commissioned Abraham to build

10624-411: The incorporation of the College of Arms, the College held a special service of thanksgiving at St Benet's, Paul's Wharf (the College's official church since 1555) on 2 March 1984. The Kings of Arms, Heralds and Pursuivants, ordinary and extraordinary, of the College in full uniform processed from the College towards the church together with Queen Elizabeth II , the Duke of Norfolk , the Earl Marshal and

10752-421: The incorporation of the heralds. The only notable incident for the college in this period, during the reign of George I , happened in 1727 when an impostor called Robert Harman pretended to be a herald. The knave was prosecuted by the College in the county of Suffolk, and was sentenced to be pilloried in several market towns on public market days and afterwards to be imprisoned and pay a fine. This hefty sentence

10880-508: The leaf represents "a sign of heraldry to be created and recorded for Canadians." The raven-bears, a new heraldic beast which combined several creatures that are important to aboriginal symbolism, were proposed by the heralds in honour of the United Nations ' International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples, also occurring in 1993. The raven-bears are standing on an outcrop of what is known as

11008-420: The letters patent that grant and register armorial bearings. A wreath around the shield is composed of red maple leaves bound with gold straps. College of Arms The College of Arms , or Heralds' College , is a royal corporation consisting of professional officers of arms , with jurisdiction over England , Wales , Northern Ireland and some Commonwealth realms . The heralds are appointed by

11136-578: The life of the British monarch. After the death of a Sovereign the Accession Council (made up of Privy Councillors and other officers such as the Lord Mayor of London) meets at St. James's Palace to make a formal proclamation of the accession of the next Sovereign. Traditionally, this proclamation is made by being physically read out. This task is assigned to the various members of the College by way of

11264-438: The officer could prove, through this method, that there is in fact no descent. However, if a connection is found the genealogy would be researched outside of the College's archives to provide definitive evidence of descent from an armigerous individual. Robert Watt (officer of arms) Robert Douglas Watt LVO AIH FRHSC (born 1945) is a former Canadian museum curator and officer of arms who served as

11392-462: The order may also request the chief herald to grant them supporters . In order to request either a coat of arms, flag, and/or badges, a letter must be addressed to the Chief Herald of Canada. The letter must clearly ask "to receive armorial bearings from the Canadian Crown under the powers exercised by the Governor General" and include proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence as well as

11520-462: The original design. In 1699 the hall, which for some time had been used as a library, was transformed into the Earl Marshal's Court or the Court of Chivalry; it remains so to this day. In 1776 some stylistic changes were made to the exterior of the building and some details, such as pediments and cornices were removed, transforming the building to the then popular but austere Neo-Classical style . The magnificent coronation of James II in 1685 saw

11648-399: The other officers also took part, often occurred among the lesser heralds against each other. Historian Mark Noble wrote in 1805, that these fights often involved the use of "every epithet that was disgraceful to themselves and their opponents." and that "Their accusations against each other would fill a volume." During these years, the College's reputation was greatly injured in the eyes of

11776-442: The overconfident way of their generation, esteemed the College an anachronistic and anomalous institution overdue for reform or abolition." The memorandum ended by saying that "the College of Arms is a small and highly organised luxury trade, dependent for its living on supplying the demand for a fancy article among the well to do: and like many such trades it has in very many cases to create the demand before it can supply it." When

11904-604: The permission of Parliament, to act as the King's chief secretary at the negotiations at Newport . After the execution of Charles I, Walker joined Charles II in his exile in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, on 3 August 1646 the Committee of Sequestration took possession of the College premises, and kept it under its own authority. Later in October, Parliament ordered the committee to directly remove those officers whose loyalties were with

12032-422: The petitioner. The petitioner then signs a contract with an artist at the authority to create the design. The Fraser Herald, serving as the CHA's principal artist, must review the design. At all stages the documents must be approved by both the petitioner and the Chief Herald. The final step is to prepare the letters patent, the official notice of an award of arms, which includes a drawing of the armorial bearings and

12160-513: The precinct of the City of London from the City Marshall and City Remembrancer . The barrier, consisting of a silken rope (in place of the ancient bar), is then removed and the detachment marches forward to meet the Lord Mayor and City Sheriffs , where the proclamation would be read. There are also other readings by members of the College at the corner of Chancery Lane , in Fleet Street , and at

12288-403: The public. The reason behind these discords were laid on the imperfect execution of the reorganisation of the College in 1568 and the uncertainty over issue of granting arms to the new and emerging gentry of the era. An enquiry into the state of the College lasted for one year, finally reporting to William Cecil, Baron Burghley in 1596; as a consequence, many important measures of reform for

12416-576: The records and rolls might be more safely and conveniently deposited." The charter also reincorporated the three kings of arms, six heralds and all other heralds and pursuivants, and their successors, into a corporation with perpetual succession. A new seal of authority, with the College's full coat of arms was also engraved. On 16 May 1565, the name "the House of the Office of Arms" was used, thereafter in May 1566 "our Colledge of Armes", and in January 1567 "our House of

12544-462: The records in their charge are chiefly and most frequently consulted." Nash himself was asked by the College to design a new building near fashionable Trafalgar Square but Nash's elaborate plan proved too costly and ambitious for the College. At the same time the College also asked Robert Abraham to submit to them a second plan for the building. When Nash heard that another architect was approached behind his back he reacted vehemently, and attacked

12672-488: The reign of Anne did not affect the jurisdiction or the rights of the College. The College of Arms and the Court of the Lord Lyon were to exist side by side in their respective realms. However, in the matter of precedence ; the Lord Lyon , when in England, was to take immediate precedence behind Garter King of Arms. The Hanoverian succession to the throne of Great Britain led to reigns with less ceremony than in any since

12800-605: The reign of King Henry VIII , it has been said that: "at no time since its establishment, was [the college] in higher estimation, nor in fuller employment, than in this reign." Henry VIII was fond of pomp and magnificence, and thus gave the heralds plenty of opportunity to exercise their roles in his court. In addition, the members of the College were also expected to be regularly despatched to foreign courts on missions, whether to declare war, accompany armies, summon garrisons or deliver messages to foreign potentates and generals. During his magnificent meeting with Francis I of France at

12928-511: The service, the members return to the Upper Ward by carriage . This ceremony is especially significant for the Garter King of Arms, the senior officer of the College, who is an officer of the Order. Participation in these two annual ceremonies is considered the least time-consuming part of the herald's roles. However at other times they are involved in some of the most important ceremonies concerning

13056-468: The services of the Parliamentarian side . Nevertheless, the heralds petitioned Parliament in the same year, to protect their: "Books of Record, Registers, Entries, Precedents, Arms, Pedigrees and Dignities." In 1643 the heralds joined the King at Oxford, and were with him at Naseby and followed him on all of his campaigns. Sir Edward Walker the Garter King of Arms (from 1645) was even appointed, with

13184-408: The situation. After years of negotiation the College, in 1820, bought the Sugar House from Smith for the sum of £1,500. Great financial strains placed upon the College during these times were relieved when the extravagant Prince Regent (the future George IV ) granted to the College an annual endowment by Royal Warrant on 29 February 1820. This generous endowment from the crown, the first since 1555,

13312-525: The smoke-damaged rooms and exterior brickwork were completed in December 2009. The College of Arms is a part of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom . As such they accompany the monarch on various state occasions. These occasions are centred around the institution of the monarchy as the symbol of the state , and the expression of majesty and power through public pomp and ceremony. Currently

13440-502: The sovereign on many of these occasions. The College comprises thirteen officers or heralds: three Kings of Arms , six Heralds of Arms and four Pursuivants of Arms . There are also seven officers extraordinary, who take part in ceremonial occasions but are not part of the College. The entire corporation is overseen by the Earl Marshal , a hereditary office always held by the Duke of Norfolk . King Richard III 's interest in heraldry

13568-473: The state". Despite concluding that some form of change was necessary, the inquiry categorically stated that any change "is at the present time and in present circumstances impracticable." In 1905 the generous endowment from the Crown (as instituted by George IV) was stopped by the Liberal Government of the day as part of its campaign against the House of Lords and the class system . A second inquiry

13696-451: The structure was finished. The new building was built out of plain bricks of three storeys, with basement and attic levels in addition. The College consists of an extensive range of quadrangular buildings. Apart from the hall, a porter's lodge and a public office, the rest of the building was given over to the heralds as accommodation. To the east and south sides three terraced houses were constructed for leases, their façade in keeping with

13824-521: The throne. When King Edward VI died on 6 July 1553, Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed queen four days later, first in Cheapside then in Fleet Street by two heralds, trumpets blowing before them. However, when popular support swung to Mary's side, the Lord Mayor of London and his councils accompanied by the Garter King of Arms, two other heralds, and four trumpeters returned to Cheapside to proclaim Mary's ascension as rightful queen instead. The College's excuse

13952-469: The time. They even resorted to meeting at each other's houses, at various guildhalls and even a hospital. Furthermore, Henry VIII's habit of raising ladies in the situation of subjects to queens, and then awarding them many heraldic augmentations , which also extended to their respective families, was considered harmful to the science of heraldry. The noted antiquarian and heraldist Charles Boutell commented in 1863, that the: "Arms of Queen Anne Boleyn are

14080-407: The titles are territorial designations, as per heraldic tradition, each herald serves the entire country. Each is assigned a badge of office. The Heralds of Arms are: Alix Chartrand (2020-) The authority also allows for two types of honorary positions: Heralds Emeritus and Heralds Extraordinary . The emeritus title is reserved for Canadian heralds who have retired; the title of extraordinary

14208-613: The view of ascertaining whether the Rules and Orders for the good government of the said College ... are duly obeyed and fulfilled ... and whether by change of circumstances or any other cause, any new Laws, Ordinances or Regulations are necessary to be made ... for the said College." The commission had three members: Lord Edward Fitzalan-Howard (the Deputy Earl Marshal), Sir William Alexander (Queen's Counsel) and Edward Bellasis (a Sergeant at Law). Sir Bernard Burke (of

14336-456: Was an integral part of the heraldic royal funeral. One of the most solemn roles for the heralds during a royal funeral is the reading of the full list of the styles and titles of the deceased monarch. On 9 April 2002, Garter King of Arms Peter Gwynn-Jones read out the full styles and titles of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother at the end of her funeral service at Westminster Abbey. The granting of armorial bearings ( coats of arms ) within

14464-415: Was applied towards the reparation and support of the College. Despite the successes of the purchase of the Sugar House and the royal endowment, the College still looked upon the possibility of moving its location to a more suitable and fashionable place. John Nash was at the same time laying out his plans for a new London, and, in 1822, the College, through the Deputy Earl Marshal, asked the government for

14592-428: Was because it was supposed that the house was granted personally to John Writhe the Garter King of Arms and not to the heralds as a corporation. As a result, the heralds were left destitute and many of their books and records were lost. Despite this ill treatment from the King, the heralds' position at the royal court remained, and they were compelled by the King to attend him at all times (albeit in rotation). Of

14720-476: Was built by Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby , who married Lady Margaret Beaufort in 1482 and was created the 1st Earl of Derby in 1485. The house was built in 1503 and was given to the Crown by the 3rd Earl in 1552/3 in exchange for some land. The charter stated that the house would: "enable them [the College] to assemble together, and consult, and agree amongst themselves, for the good of their faculty, and that

14848-500: Was established in 1928 under the chairmanship of Lord Birkenhead . The inquiry was called soon after a secret memorandum, written in 1927, was circulated by the Home Office , criticising the constitution and workings of the heralds. The memorandum states that "They have, as will be seen from this memorandum, in many cases attempted to interfere with the exercise by the Secretary of State of his constitutional responsibility for advising

14976-400: Was executed, proving that the rights of the College were still respected. In 1737, during the reign of George II the College petitioned for another charter, to reaffirm their rights and remuneration; this effort proved unsuccessful. Apart from these events the influence of the College was greatly diminished. In 1742 a Sugar House was built against the wall of the College. This structure was

15104-431: Was ignored in lieu of profit by past officers. Suitability rested on the phrase "eminent men"; originally the test applied was one of wealth or social status, as any man entitled to bear a coat of arms was expected to be a gentleman . By 1530, the heralds applied a property qualification, requiring successful candidates for a grant of arms to have an income from land of £10 per annum, or movable wealth of £300. However this

15232-467: Was inaugurated by Robert Watt at the inception of the CHA in 1988 and held by him until his retirement in 2007. Since May 20, 2020, the office of chief herald has been held by Samy Khalid . Below the chief herald are the Heralds of Arms, full-time workers at the CHA and considered part of the Public Service of Canada. The names of the various offices were taken from significant Canadian rivers. Though

15360-400: Was indicated by his possession of two important rolls of arms . While still Duke of Gloucester and Constable of England for his brother ( Edward IV ) from 1469, he in the latter capacity supervised the heralds and made plans for the reform of their organisation. Soon after his accession to the throne he created Sir John Howard as Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England , who became

15488-411: Was not always the case: in 1616 Ralph Brooke, York Herald, tricked Garter King of Arms, William Segar , into granting a coat of arms to Gregory Brandon , a common hangman, for a fee of 22 shillings (£1.10). When the king found out he had them both imprisoned at Marshalsea ; they were freed a few days later. The fee for the grant of arms is due when the memorial is submitted; the amount is set out in

15616-633: Was opened by the Earl Marshal and ran from 28 June to 26 July, during which time it received more than 10,000 visitors, including the Duke ( George VI ) and Duchess of York ( Elizabeth ). In 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War the College's records were moved to Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire, the home of Major Algar Howard (the Norroy King of Arms). Meanwhile, on 10 and 11 May 1941

15744-416: Was quite lengthy—and costly. In addition, the heralds of the College of Arms and the Court of the Lord Lyon could sometimes be unfamiliar with Canadian history and symbols. In time, many Canadians with an interest in heraldry began calling for an office which would offer armorial bearings designed by and for Canadians. As early as 1967, plans were reportedly in the works to transfer overview of heraldry from

15872-516: Was removed as Garter, but was instead appointed Clarenceux in 1661, much to the chagrin of Garter Edward Walker. In 1666 as the Great Fire of London swept through the city, Derby Place, the College's home since 1555, was completely gutted and destroyed. Fortunately the College's library was saved, and at first was stored in the Palace of Whitehall , then later moved to the Palace of Westminster , where

16000-562: Was said that William Ryley, who was originally appointed Lancaster Herald by Charles I but then sided with Cromwell, did not even have a tabard with the Royal Arms, as his own had been "plundered in the wars". He had to borrow a decorative one from the tomb of James I in Westminster Abbey instead; the garment was duly returned the next day. The Restoration of Charles II annulled all the Acts of

16128-399: Was that they had been compelled in their earlier act by the Duke of Northumberland (Lady Jane's father-in-law, who was later executed), an excuse that Mary accepted. The queen and her husband (and co-sovereign) Philip II of Spain then set about granting the College a new house called Derby Place or Derby House, under a new charter, dated 18 July 1555 at Hampton Court Palace . The house

16256-658: Was the Vancouver City Archivist. In 1973, he was appointed as Curator of History at the Vancouver Centennial Museum (now the Vancouver Museum ). He became Chief Curator in 1977 and was Director from 1980 to 1988. He was appointed as the first Chief Herald of Canada in 1988, and he served in that position until 2007. He was appointed as a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in

16384-639: Was the same arrangement that had already been applied to the Lord Lyon Court in Scotland in 1867, and was to be applied to his own office in 1871. However unlike the Lyon Court, which was a court of law and part of the Scottish Judiciary , the College of Arms has always been an independent corporate body overseen by the Earl Marshal. While the Lord Lyon depended on the Government for its reforms and statutes,

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