Great Britain - College of Arms Quincentenarry 1984

College of Arms Quincentenary:
16 p Arms of The College of Arms
20 1/2 p Arms of Richard III. Founder
28 p Arms of The earl Marshal
31 p Arms of The City of London

Heraldry

Heraldry is the name which came to be given to a system of hereditary symbolism and identification which sprang up in western Europe during the twelfth century and was developed thereafter by the heralds.

The College of Arms, situated within the City of London, dates from 1484 when King Richard III granted the Kings of Arms, Heralds, and Pursuivants their first Charter of Incorporation.

The present establishment of the College of Arms comprises three Kings of Arms. six Heralds and four Pursuivants, generically called Officers of Arms or Heralds, and there is a staff of scriveners, artists, researchers, and secretaries.  The thirteen Officers of Arms are part of the Royal Household under the Earl Marshall, The Duke of Norfolk, who is not himself a member of the corporation.  In practice, the day to day business of the College is presided over by Garter Principal King of Arms.

Apart from their duties on royal and state occasions, the heralds trace ancestry, draw up family trees, deal with peerage law and all matters concerning official heraldry and insignia in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and in all Commonwealth countries of which Her Majesty The Queen is Head of State.  In Scotland, however, Lord Lyon King of Arms is the Sovereign's representative in all matters heraldic and genealogical.

Heraldry has its root firmly planted in medieval history, but it is not just a colorful relic of the days of chivalry: it moves with the times and is a living art and science, especially in Great Britain where the Heralds still devise and the Kings of Arms, pursuant to royal authority, grant, and assign armorial bearings to eminent men and women and worthy corporations.

Date of Issue: 17 January 1984

Designer: Jeffrey Matthews FSIAD

Printer: Harrison & Sons (High Wycombe) Limited

Size: 34.7mm x 34.7mm

Perforations: 14 1/2 x 14 1/2

Paper: Unwatermarked Phosphor Coated

Gum: PVA Dextrin

Text by: Charity Boxall