England Heraldry: Difference between revisions

The College has a vast collection of historical books and documents as well as their own records of descent and grants of arms (Wagner 1952, Dickinson). The collection includes English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish works as well as much from North America, having been the recipient of the literary estates of many eminent genealogists. The library is a private one not open to the public but the officers of arms will search the records for a (large) fee. However, many of their books are available elsewhere and are on film through the FamilySearch Library, and the College is actively publishing their own records through the ''Harleian Society''.<ref>Christensen, Penelope. "England Records of Noble and Armigerous Families (National Institute)," ''The National Institute for Genealogical Studies'' (2012), https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/England_Records_of_Noble_and_Armigerous_Families_%28National_Institute%29.</ref>

An achievement of arms usually contains elements of the following: shield, crest, mantling or lambrequin, helm &amp; torse, motto, supporters, compartment, badges, and banners.  The shield usually has the arms of the bearer, and many times this is mistakenly called the "crest".  The crest appears on top of the helm or helmet and bears a symbol the represents the wearer, such as an animal, horns, a design, and so on.  

Once granted, the arms adorned the knight's horsecloth, blanket, banner and any thing else of value.  One of the most important reasons for many of the items above was to be able to identify friend or foe at a distance.   

In the 16th and 17th centuries, heralds visited all parts of England to discover who was using coats of arms and the title of Gentleman, Esquire, or Knight. They asked for proof of the right to use such coats of arms or titles.  These proofs often included documentation of male descent from the original grantee. Heraldic visitations are records of these visits (see [[England Nobility]]).  Most visitations focus on the male heir's descendants, but often include descents of siblings.  Information in Visitations can be very useful in tracing ancestors once a connection to a landed family is verified.  

+Visitation not in print and manuscript not in British Museum.<ref>Bloxham, V. Ben. "Finding English Ancestors Not Recorded in the Common Records of Civil Registration, Parish Registers, or Probate Records," ''World Conference on Records'' (1980), https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Finding_English_Ancestors_Not_Recorded_in_the_Common_Records_of_Civil_Registration,_Parish_Registers,_or_Probate_Records.</ref>  

Heralds developed terms to describe the records they kept. To understand a coat of arms, you need to understand the terms used by the heralds. Many books define heraldic terms. Look in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:  

Also, families who bore heraldic arms are often subjects of books or articles. (See [[England Genealogy|England Genealogy]] and  [[England Nobility|England Nobility]]).<br><br>

*[[Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies]]  

*[http://www.theheraldrysociety.com/ The Heraldry Society]