How to Interpret the Heraldry
Heraldry Beginning
In 1528, the
Heralds
with the support of Richard III of England made what were
called "visitations" throughout England. The primary
visitations were made in the year of 1528, 1580, 1620 and 1686. These
visitations were made to find out what coats of arms were actually in
use. Also the Heralds ascertained if the owner had the right to used
the coat of arms and record the family's genealogy. The visitations
records still exist today and many have been reprinted. Although the
earlier pedigrees and genealogies are not always trustworthy, they do
give us records of genealogies for important English families.
No other nation possesses such a record.
When the Heralds decided to make a county visitation they secured from
the sheriff, with Royal permission, a list of all persons using arms.
Then they would direct the sheriff to summon the user of the arms to
report at a specified time and place and to show by what right he used
the arms. This would include bringing grants of arms, wills, deeds, and
other evidences of right and of descent. If the evidence was deemed
satisfactory, the arms were either allowed or disallowed. Some people
were summoned by the sheriff who did not use arms to formally
"disclaim" any right to arms, and these "disclaimers" were also
recorded.
If there were people who desired to use arms but who could not show a
right to them, they could made application for grants to the
Earl Marshall. If the social position of the applicant was that of
a "gentleman'" the petition was granted, and the Earl Marshall issued a
warrant to the officers of the College to grant arms to him. The arms
to be worn was decided by conference with agreement between the
applicant and the College. The Heralds enforced adherent to the records
to ensure no one infringed on any coat recognized.
It is presumed that most of the coats of arms now in use in England owe
their origin to these grants by the Heralds. Grants are still made to
properly qualified persons by the College on petition and on the Earl
Marshall's warrant.
These officers are continually adding to the lineages placed on record.
It is their duty to trace coats of arms, confirm titles of honor and
examine the claims of English subjects to armorial rights. Coats of
arms are conferred for meritorious service and granted to those who
prove eligible descent. One entitled to bear arms is an armiger, the
right being either earned originally or inherited. To be inherited, the
coat of arms must have descended from an armiger in the male line
bearing the family name, subject to modification from generation to
generation.
Learn how Coat of Arms are Inherited
