Herald

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Pictures of heralds from the 14th–17th century, from H. Ströhl's Heraldischer Atlas
English and Scotish heralds, wearing tabards, in procession during the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla (2023).
Duke of Gueldres
(around 1380)
Bavarian herald Jörg Rugen [de] wearing a tabard of the Coat of arms of Bavaria, around 1510.
A 14th-century illustration showing an English herald approaching Scottish soldiers – an incident of the Anglo-Scottish Wars
Tabard worn by an English herald in the College of Arms[nb 1]

A herald, or a herald of arms, is an officer of arms, ranking between pursuivant and king of arms. The title is commonly applied more broadly to all officers of arms.

Heralds were originally

noblemen to convey messages or proclamations—in this sense being the predecessors of modern diplomats. In the Hundred Years' War, French heralds challenged King Henry V to fight. During the Battle of Agincourt, the English herald and the French herald, Montjoie, watched the battle together from a nearby hill; both agreed that the English were the victors, and Montjoie provided King Henry V, who thus earned the right to name the battle, with the name of the nearby castle.[1]

Like other officers of arms, a herald would often wear a surcoat, called a

royal coat of arms
.

There are active official heralds today in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, and the Republic of South Africa. In England and Scotland most heralds are full-time employees of the sovereign and are called "Heralds of Arms in Ordinary". Temporary appointments can be made of "Heralds of Arms Extraordinary". These are often appointed for a specific major state occasions, such as a coronation. The Canadian Heraldic Authority has created the position of "Herald of Arms Emeritus" with which to honor long-serving or distinguished heraldists. In Scotland, some Scottish clan chiefs, the heads of great noble houses, still appoint private officers of arms to handle cases of heraldic or genealogical importance of clan members, although these are usually pursuivants.

In addition, many

orders of chivalry have heralds attached to them. These heralds may have some heraldic duties but are more often merely ceremonial in nature. Heralds which were primarily ceremonial in nature, especially after the decline of chivalry, were also appointed in various nations for specific events such as a coronation as additions to the pageantry of these occasions. In the Netherlands, heralds are appointed for the Dutch monarch's inauguration
where they wore their tabards until 1948; these heralds proclaim the inauguration ceremony to have been completed to those inside and outside the Nieuwe Kerk.

English Heralds

English Heralds of Arms in Ordinary

English Heralds of Arms Extraordinary

Scottish Heralds

Scottish Heralds of Arms in Ordinary

Scottish Heralds of Arms Extraordinary

Canadian Heralds

Canadian Heralds of Arms In Ordinary

Canadian Heralds of Arms Extraordinary

  • Albion Herald of Arms Extraordinary
  • Capilano Herald of Arms Extraordinary
  • Cowichan Herald of Arms Extraordinary
  • Dauphin Herald of Arms Extraordinary
  • Niagara Herald of Arms Extraordinary
  • Rouge Herald of Arms Extraordinary

Canadian Heralds of Arms Emeritus

Indian Empire Herald of Arms Extraordinary

See also

Notes

  1. current royal arms of Scotland
    .

References

  1. , pp 74, 77, 104–105.
  2. ^ The Historical Atlas of Knights and Castles, Ian Barnes, 2007, pp.176–177.

External links