The heralds who survived the Great Fire and a Civil War
In short: The College of Arms is not just a repository for family trees; it is a royal corporation that survived the destruction of its home, the execution of its patrons, and the literal burning of its headquarters. From 1484 to today, these officers have navigated the volatile intersection of power, bloodlines, and national identity.
Founded in 1484 by King Richard III, the College of Arms serves as the heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and parts of the Commonwealth. While it manages the granting of coats of arms and genealogical research, its history is marked by extreme instability. Following Richard III's defeat at Bosworth Field in 1485, the College faced immediate hardship. Henry VII's Act of Resumption saw the crown seize many properties, including the heralds' home, Coldharbour. Because the house was thought to have been granted to an individual rather than the corporation, the heralds were left destitute and lost many of their records.
The institution's role expanded significantly under Henry VIII, who utilized the heralds for international diplomacy and the 'heraldic visitation.' This 1530 mandate empowered provincial Kings of Arms to enter houses and churches to deface and destroy unlawfully used arms. However, Henry VIII's personal whims—such as granting 'augmentations' to his consorts' paternal arms—were criticized by later antiquarians as a 'degenerate condition' of the science of heraldry. The College even faced internal strife during the reign of Elizabeth I, with officers engaging in public, disgraceful quarrels over rights and annulments that damaged the institution's reputation.
The English Civil War nearly dismantled the College. While officers were divided between Royalist and Parliamentarian sides, the institution itself was protected by Parliament to preserve its 'Books of Record.' After the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, all grants made during the Commonwealth were declared null and void. The College's physical home, Derby Place, was completely destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The library was saved and moved to the Palace of Westminster, while the heralds eventually funded the rebuilding of their headquarters out of their own pockets and through subscriptions from the nobility.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: College of Arms
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