The College of Arms is located in Queen Victoria Street, London on land bequeathed to the heralds by Queen Mary Tudor in 1555. The original building was raised to the ground in the Great Fire of London, but happily the records were not lost and now reside along with later documents in the current building, built in 1671-88.

The College of Arms is the official repository for coats of arms and pedigrees of English, Welsh, Northern Irish and Commonwealth families and their descendants. Official copies of records of the Ulster King of Arms are also archived within the collection, though Scottish documents are held at the Lyon Office in Edinburgh. The library contains a diverse collection of resources old and new, including parchment manuscripts, ancient seals, books and periodicals. Conservation of these materials is an important and costly part of the College's work.

Though part of the Royal household, the College is not supported by public funds. Monies raised from grants of arms cover the cost of maintaining both the records and the College buildings. Heralds run their own private practices to carry out genealogical research, advisory services and heraldic work on behalf of fee-paying clients. Often the work involves clarifying the rights to assume an existing coat of arms or working on requests for grants of arms. As interest in family history grows, many people turn to the heralds to provide documented proof of family ancestry. Coats of arms are granted by Letters Patent from the senior heralds or Kings of Arms, as they are known. Grants may be made to corporations as well as individuals.

Heralds have been associated with households of royalty and nobility since the 12th Century. In early times they might perform duties as diplomats, messengers or army staff officers and possess great knowledge of the symbols used to adorn shields and banners. Today, the heralds continue the tradition of collating and recording family history to ensure this unique collection is preserved for all. Recording of new and updated material is equally vital for future generations of historians and genealogists.

Contact details:

The College of Arms
Queen Victoria Street
London EC4V 4BT
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7248 2762
The College is open each weekday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m
Web site: www.college-of-arms.gov.uk

Spotlight Article - Lord Lyon King of Arms

Chief Herald's Office, Dublin

ATAVUS Article - Alastair Bruce of Crionaich: Reflections on the Monarchy - Alastair Bruce is a TV documentary film-maker, a commentator and the author of the publication Keepers of the Kingdom, he is also a Herald at the College of Arms.

ATAVUS Article - John Gore (1718-1796) Of Boston, Massachusetts, and the Gore Roll - article looking at the heraldic treasures owned by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, of which there are two illustrated rolls of arms: the Promptuarium Armorum, featuring scores of English arms, and the Gore Roll of Arms, consisting chiefly of American arms.

ATAVUS Article - Ian G Brennan - Sculptor and Woodcarver to the British Royal Household - Ian G Brennan has been producing carved and painted Coats of Arms and Crests from designs provided by the client in wood and bronze for nearly twenty years. His work can be found in Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey and Museums all over the world.