Officer of Arms
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:BadgesofHeraldsandPursuivants.JPG An officer of arms is a person appointed by a sovereign or state with authority to perform one or more of the following functions:
- to control and initiate armorial matters
- to arrange and participate in ceremonies of state
- to conserve and interpret heraldic and genealogical records.
Traditionally, officers of arms are of three ranks: kings of arms, heralds of arms, and pursuivants of arms. Officers of arms whose appointments are of a permanent nature are known as officers of arms in ordinary; those whose appointments are of a temporary or occasional nature are known as officers of arms extraordinary.
The medieval practice of appointing heralds or pursuivants to the establishment of a noble household is still common in European countries, particularly those in which there is no official heraldic control or authority. Such appointments are also still made in Scotland, where four private officers of arms exist. These appointments are all purely advisory.
In England, the authority of the thirteen officers of arms in ordinary who form the corporation of the Kings, Heralds, and Pusuivants of Arms extends throughout the Commonwealth, with the exception of Scotland, Canada and South Africa. In Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, three heralds, and three pursuivants control matters armorial within a strict legal framework not enjoyed by their brother officers of arms in London. Lord Lyon is appointed by the crown, and, with the Crown's authority, himself appoints the other Scottish officers. The officers of arms in ordinary who form the College of Arms are members of the royal household and receive a nominal salary.
In the Republic of Ireland, matters armorial and genealogical come within the authority of an officer designated the Chief Herald of Ireland.
See also
- Heraldry
- King of Arms
- Herald of Arms
- Pursuivant of Arms
- Private Officer of Arms
- The College of Arms
- The Court of the Lord Lyon
- The Canadian Heraldic Authority
- The Chief Herald of Ireland
External links
- The Court of the Lord Lyon
- The College of Arms
- The Canadian Heraldic Authority
- The Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland
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