A Practical Guide to Petitioning for a Grant of Arms’

Home , Armiger, College of Arms, Compartment (heraldry), Dimidiation, Earl Marshal, Fount of honour

Welcome to Version 1.2 (20th September 2016) A Practical Guide to Petitioning for By Paul D Jagger

Welcome to ‘A Practical Guide to Petitioning for a Grant of Arms’. These materials support a face-to-face workshop on the subjects of heraldry and petitioning the Crown for arms in the Commonwealth realms, Crown Dependencies and Territories. For the sake of simplicity the following slides focus on the heraldic practices of HM College of Arms in the City of London covering England, Wales, Norther Ireland, the Crown Dependencies, Territories and the Commonwealth Realms other than Canada. Scotland has enjoyed its own heraldic authority since before the union of the crowns. Agenda

An Introduction to Heraldry Petitioning for arms Displaying arms Preparing your petition Frequently Asked Questions Further reading and resources

2 Heraldry: An Introduction 3

We will now explore some of the concepts and terminology of heraldry, the law of arms and gain a brief insight in to blazon, the language of heraldry. The photo was taken by the author in the great hall at Queens’ College, Cambridge. Heraldic Myths Busted

There is no such thing as a coat of arms for a surname

The words crest, badge and coat of arms are not synonymous

There are no ﬁxed meaning for colours or symbols in heraldry

You cannot buy your family coat of arms from a tourist shop or website

You don’t have to be a Lord or a Knight to be granted arms

Before we proceed with the substance of this workshop it may be helpful to dispel a few common myths and misconceptions about heraldry and coats of arms. There are many websites and tourist shops that will oﬀer to sell you your coat or arms, or worse ‘your family crest’ on all manner of objects from fridge magnets to tea towels. These retailers are engaged in a practice known as ‘bucket shop heraldry’. At best it’s a bit of innocent fun, at worst it’s a deliberate attempt to mislead the unwary and potentially commit heraldic fraud (which is a crime in the UK and Commonwealth Realms).

It is not possible to buy your coat of arms from a shop, auction or website - no matter how convincing the authenticity of the oﬀer may be. The reasons for this are explained further on in the presentation. The author tested one such website and managed to ﬁnd arms for such family surnames as: Bogus, Liar, Fake and Charlatan - enough said. The Power to Grant Arms

In the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Realms the power to grant arms (coats of arms) derives from the Sovereign as Fount of Honour. A coat of arms is a mark of distinction granted by the crown, a form of honour. Despite being in her nineties our current monarch is still immensely active and busy, so she delegates her authority to grant arms to an oﬃcer of state known as the Earl Marshal. For many centuries the oﬃce of Earl Marshal has been an hereditary one held by the Dukes of Norfolk, the senior dukedom in the realm. The Duke of Norfolk exercises the power to grant arms for and on behalf of the Sovereign in respect of peers, baronets, knights, esquires, ladies and gentlemen. The Sovereign continues to exercise the right to grant arms to members of the Royal Family, most typically this occurs when a prince or princess reaches the age of majority. HM College of Arms Queen Victoria Street

Whilst the Earl Marshal exercises the authority to grant arms on behalf of the Sovereign, he may not be an expert in the law and customs of arms, the language of heraldry or the process of devising new armorial bearings (the elements of a coat of arms). The Earl Marshal is therefore aided by a number of professional ‘Oﬃcers of Arms’ going by various ancient titles and in three grades: Kings of Arms, Heralds and Pursuivants. Together these oﬃcers form the College of Arms based in the City of London. The College of Arms is also home to the Court of Chivalry where court cases involving misuse of arms may be tried. The College celebrated its 500th anniversary in 1984 but heralds have been in service to the crown since at least 1334. Despite being part of the royal household the College receives no funding from the government and the heralds wages have not risen for many centuries but they are permitted to charge a professional fee for their services. A visit to the College of Arms

An extract from the Channel 4 series ‘At Her Majesty’s Service’ screened in 2016. Dame Penelope Keith visits the College of Arms to meet Garter Principal Kings of Arms, Thomas Woodcock CVO DL and learn something of the work of the College. Note that Garter points out that Dame Penelope Keith is amply qualiﬁed to petition for arms as a former High Sheriﬀ and Dame, viewers should not interpret that as a minimum standard for petitioners.

This video clip may only be viewed by registering at channel4.com, search for ‘At Her Majesty’s Service’ episode 1. The Law of Arms

Arms are granted to a named person or corporate bodies (towns, cities, companies, universities, charities) All arms must be unique Personal arms descend through the male line A woman may bear her father’s arms, be granted arms in her own right or unite with her husband’s arms Arms are a form of intellectual property protected in law

Arms are granted to either a named person or to a corporate body such as a University, County Council or Livery Company. Arms are not granted to whole families and most deﬁnitely not to surnames. Where confusion often arises is in the fact that arms are inherited in the male line and hence arms granted to Mr Edward Arthur Smith may be used (with appropriate marks of cadence) by his sons and his undiﬀerenced arms may be used by his unmarried daughters. This does not mean that every Mr Smith may use the arms. Women may also be granted arms or unite their father’s arms with those of their husband if he is armigerous (has a right to arms).

In the slide we see the shield of the arms granted to the author’s father in (top right) and those of The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (bottom right). Coats of Arms Explained

Torse Crest Helm

Mantling

Shield or Escutcheon

Motto

Esquires and Gentlemen 9

A coat of arms comprises various elements starting with the shield or escutcheon. Ladies may have their arms on an shield or more usually an oval or lozenge as shields are overtly war like. The shield is usually surmounted by a helm, the design and orientation of which indicates the rank of the armiger. On top of the helm we ﬁnd the wreath or torse as it is sometimes known. Some depictions of coats of arms suggest the torse is like a striped rolling pin whereas it is a circle of twisted fabric. Appearing to eminent from the wreath is a three dimensional object called the crest. The crest is a distinct part of the arms and not synonymous for the whole coat of arms (i.e., there is no such thing as a ‘family crest’). Behind the helm there is a highly stylised fabric cover called mantling. It is believed mantling was originally a sun shade used by knights during the crusades - serving the same purpose as the white sun shades French Foreign Legion soldiers wore on their Kepi’s in North Africa. Lastly we come to the motto which does not form part of the legal grant (other than in Scotland) and may be changed from generation to generation. Mottos are often in latin, but may be in any language - short and simple statements of values are usually the best.

Note: In Scotland the motto forms part of the legal grant and may not be changed without the authority of the Court of Lord Lyon. Arms of Women

Unmarried Unmarried

Married Peeress with OM*

Married Lady with CBE* Married Royalty

A woman may be granted arms in her own right, or use her father’s arms while single. An unmarried woman’s arms will usually be displayed in a lozenge or oval hanging from a blue bow. A married woman may impale her own arms, or those of her father with her husband. Where a woman has been granted arms in her own right and is married to a man who does not have his own arms she displays a small blank shield on her own shield. Any man or woman who has a decoration* awarded by the Crown may optionally display that decoration hanging below their shield. The decoration does not form part of the arms and does not pass down the generations.

The arms shown above are: Baroness Thatcher (centre), Wendy Mead OBE CC (top left) prior to the award of her OBE, Catherine Middleton prior to marriage (top right), Dame Fiona Woolf prior to being elevated to Dame (bottom left), HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (bottom right) Coats of Arms Explained

Torse Crest Helm

Circlet, Garter Mantling or Collar

Shield or Supporters Escutcheon

Compartment Motto

A more elaborate coat of arms may incorporate supporters holding the shield, a compartment upon which the supporters stand, and possibly a circlet, collar or garter around and behind the shield. These are the Royal Arms of Canada as used by the Queen of Canada. Supporters are only granted to persons of very high rank or to institutions of national importance, e.g., universities and Livery Companies. Where the armiger is also a member of an order of chivalry they may display the collar of that order around the shield. The shield of the Earl Marshal also has crossed batons behind the shield as an indication of that hereditary oﬃce. A past Lord Mayor of London may include the crossed mace and sword of the City of London behind his or her arms. Heraldic Colours, Metals, Furs and Stains

Gules Ermine Proper

Azure Ermines

Blue Celeste Erminois

Purpure Pean

Vert Vair

Sable

Murray

Or Sanguine

Argent Tenne

Heraldry has developed a scheme of colours, metals and furs that provide a simple and striking pallet. The colours are Gules (Red), Azure (Blue), Pursuer (Purple), Vert (Green) and Sable (Black). Since the formation of the RAF the colour Blue Celeste (Sky Blue) has appeared in British and Commonwealth heraldry, usually for the arms of senior RAF oﬃcers. There is no ﬁxed shade for these colours but they should be bold, distinct and bright - like a child’s pain box. Questions such as ‘What are the Pantone® colours for these arms?’ are a non-sequitur as Pantone® Colour Matching System is a colour scheme devised in the 1960s. Heraldry dates from the Norman Conquest. Ultimately the precise shade of colour used in a coat of arms is as the discretion of the artist.

Heraldry also uses two metals: Or (Gold) and Argent (Silver) which may also be depicted as yellow and white (but never as gold and yellow or white and silver in the same representation). From the very earliest uses of heraldry there have been depictions of furs, initially Ermine (stoat) and Vair (squirrel). Several variations on Ermine have developed and European heraldry uses a wider range of furs. Lastly there are three rarely seen stains: Murray (Mulberry), Sanguine (Blood Red) and Tenne (Brown). Objects depicted as they would be in their natural colours are described as Proper and it is up to the artist to depict them using appropriate colours.

All these colours, metals, furs and stains are pronounced in English, so Vert is Ver-T and Argent is ‘Ar-Gent’. Design Principles

No placing of colour on colour No placing of metal on metal Simple designs are best Visual puns are welcome Charges of the same design should be the same size The mantling and any torse (wreath) should use the ﬁrst colour and metal of the shield

Following on from the simplicity of the heraldic colours and metals there are a few design principles that aid swift recognition. Just as traﬃc signs use high contrasting colours (red on white, black on yellow), heraldry strives for a strong contrast and simplicity for swift recognition, this is achieved by ensuring that colour is placed on metal and vice versa. Objects placed on the shield (such as the lions heads) are called charges and when a charge is used multiple times it should be of the same size. A convention that is often followed in British heraldry is for the mantling to use the ﬁrst colour and metal of the shield.

A good rule of thumb is that a 5 year old child should be able to draw a good approximation of a coat of arms - simple, clear, bold.

The arms shown in this slide are those of the Cambridge University Heraldic & Genealogical Society, the only student society in the Commonwealth to have its own arms. They an allusion to Cambridge University’s own arms and incorporate heraldic puns for pedigrees and eating. Navigating the Shield

Dexter Pale Sinister

Dexter Chief Sinister Chief Chief Point Chief

Centre or Dexter Fess Sinister Flank Point Flank

Dexter Base Sinister Base Base Point Base

Another principle of heraldry is that of describing the shield from the perspective of the person holding it, not from that of persons viewing it. This leads to the fact that the sinister (left) and dexter (right) sides of the shield are reversed from that of the viewers perspective. The diagram above shows some of the terms used to identify parts of the shield. There are also several divisions of the shield that have their own names, such as the bend (diagonal stripe) or fess (widthways stripe) among others.

A general rule of heraldry is that animate objects like ships or beasts such as the lion will face dexter or face forward looking out from the shield. It is rare but not unheard of for animals to face sinister. As the shield is conventionally held by the left arm an animal facing sinister appears to be running away from the ﬁeld of battle.

The arms in the bottom left are those of a Liveryman of the Information Technologists’ Company whose family are all left handed, so he chose to have the gryphon on the shield facing left. Know your Helms!

Sovereign Peers and Royal Princes

Knights and Esquires and Baronets Gentlemen

The design of the held can diﬀer considerably from one coat of arms to the next and even among diﬀerent depictions of the same arms. That said, there are some conventions that indicate the rank of the armiger. A sovereign or royal prince has a golden helm with a barred visor facing forward. A peer will have a silver helm facing dexter with a gold barred visor. A knight or baronet has a silver helm with an open visor facing forward. An esquire or gentleman has a silver helm with a closed visor facing dexter.

Sometimes the held is depicted on top of a crown or coronet of either royal or peerage rank. There are various designs of crown and coronet for diﬀerent grades of royalty and peerage. Marks of Cadency

Father Eldest Son

We have already learned that arms are granted to a single named person, not to their family. However it is entirely acceptable for sons and daughters to use their father’s arms. In the case of sons there are various marks of cadence that are appended to the shield in a contrasting colour, usually toward the top of the shield. The most frequently used mark of cadence is the ‘label of three points’ that looks like a pontoon bridge spanning the arms and is used by the eldest son until his father dies, at which time the label is removed and passed down a generation.

In modern times when it is entirely possible for there to be 4 or even 5 generations alive at any one point in time the use of marks of cadence could become very cluttered as the marks diﬀer among brothers of the second generation descending from the armigerous father and among sons of those brothers. For this reason it is rare to see marks of cadence used to their fullest and logical extent.

There are no marks of cadence for daughters. They carry their father’s arms on a lozenge until they are married. Canadian heraldic practice has recently introduced marks of cadence for daughters, but they are rarely used for the same reason as given above for sons. Dimidiation and Impalement

Heraldry is often used to show alliances, marriage or to combine the personal arms of an individual with the arms of an oﬃce they hold (e.g., a Bishop may combine his/ her personal arms with those of their diocese while in oﬃce). The simplest way to show such alliances is to split both arms down the middle and align the two halves. This practice is called dimidiation and is best illustrated by the arms of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports which show the front half of three lions of England with the rear half of three galleys. The practice of dimidiation soon gave way to impalement whereby the whole arms of both parts of the alliance are placed side by side on the shield. The example shows the arms of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge which impale those of HRH The Duke of Cambridge. Blazon - The Language of Heraldry

Gules a catherine wheel Or

A red shield upon which is placed a golden catherine wheel

Vert on a Pall reversed between three Horseshoe Magnets the poles to the centre Argent three Roundels Vert each charged with a Rose Argent

Blazon is the language of heraldry. It is a mix of Norman French, Latin and English and has its own system of grammar. A blazon is a written description of arms that permits accurate and succinct recording of the design. No two blazons are the same just as no two coats of arms are the same. Blazon is not concerned with the artistic interpretation of the arms, just as the precise shade of colour used by the artists is left to his or her discretion. Somer heraldic charges (symbols) have become consistent in their representation through widespread use but none are rigidly ﬁxed in their style by the blazon.

The blazon is what is used to determine if two arms are diﬀerent - not their pictorial representation. Hence the catherine wheel above does not specify how large the wheel is, how many spokes it has, whether the blades are facing clockwise or counter-clockwise. These are stylistic points and not speciﬁed in the blazon (although they could be for precision).

The arms above are those of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and Letchworth Garden City Town Council (now defunct). The Grammar of Blazon

Arms: Argent a cross gules in the ﬁrst quarter a sword in pale point upwards of the last Crest: On a wreath argent and gules a dragon’s sinister wing argent charged on the underside with a cross throughout gules Supporters: On either side a dragon argent charged on the undersides of the wings with a cross throughout gules

The blazon describes the shield and where present the crest and any supporters. The shield comes ﬁrst and opens with the colour or metal of the shield background. The description then works outward from the background (or the ‘ﬁeld’ as it is known). Where possible repetition should be avoided so that terms like ‘of the last’ mean ‘of the immediate previous colour or metal described. The Grammar of Blazon

These are the arms, crest and supporters described by the blazon on the previous page, i.e., those of the City of London. An interesting point to note about these arms is that they have been used by assumption since 1381 and where only retrospectively registered with the College of Arms in 1957 when the crest of a Dragon’s wing was granted. The City of London’s arms are the only example of municipal arms featuring a peers helm, echoing the fact that the Lord Mayor of London is styled ‘The Right Honourable’ and ranks as an Earl. The dragon’s supporting the arms did not come in to use until the early 17th century, previously they were lions. Petitioning for a Grant of Arms 21

Having explored some of the basic conventions and terminology of heraldry we will move on to the process of petitioning for arms in the UK and Commonwealth Realms. The photo shows the box in which Letters Patent are presented to the armiger. The vellum scroll has two seal matrices attached by blue fabric ribbons. Diligent and Secret

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q8ch2ARXIg 22

Before we get on to the serious business of petitioning, its as well to remember that the College is a welcoming place that has no expectation of the petitioner understanding heraldry, blazon or the law of arms. The College should not be viewed as an unapproachable or stuﬀy institution; just as was the case for HM The Queen during the London Olympics, the College of Arms has also been game enough to feature alongside James Bond.

The motto of the College of Arms is ‘Diligent and Secret’. The College featured in the James Bond Film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ wherein James Bond takes on the guise of an oﬃcer of arms in the pursuit of Ernst Stavro Blowfeld. During a visit to the College of Arms we see the arms of an ancestor of James Bond. An Armorial Achievement

Arms + Badge + Standard

The process of petitioning for a grant of arms involves several decisions for the petitioner not least among them is agreeing the design with the College of Arms. In addition to arms and crest, petitioners also have the option of a badge and from that a standard (tapering ﬂag). The badge is conventionally used by ones followers. All three components together form an Armorial Achievement. It is entirely possible to have these three components granted separately starting with the arms and crest, then the badge and ﬁnally the standard. Costs for each component are given later on in these slides. Eligibility

HM subject Do you already have a right to arms? Of good character Which Heraldic Suitably eminent authority should you Sufﬁcient means apply to?

How can you be confident that you are eligible for a grant of arms? The criteria are really quite simple. First and foremost you must be a subject of Her Majesty and of good character (no criminal record). You must be suitably eminent, a term that has no fixed definition, and lastly you must have the financial means to pay the College of Arms. If you think you may already have the right to use arms from an ancestor the College can help you with proving that fact, but it can be very time consuming and costly if your proof requires tracing back through many generations.

You also need to decide which heraldic authority to apply to, a decision which is essentially determined by your country of residence. For most people in the Commonwealth Realms that will be the College of Arms in the City of London. Heraldic Authorities

For most petitioners the College of Arms will be the correct heraldic authority through which to petition for a grant of arms. For persons resident, or primarily resident, in Scotland the Court of Lord Lyon in Edinburgh is the correct authority. For persons resident in Canada, the Canadian Heraldic Authority in Ottawa (part of the Governor General’s oﬃce) is the correct authority. The College of Arms also has the power to grant honorary arms to Americans who can trace their descent from a British subject prior to independence. What is ‘Eminence’?

Evidence Illustrative Examples

University Degree BA, BSc, MA, MEd, MSc, PhD

Professional Qualiﬁcations Chartered status, QC, Surgeon

Fellow of a recognised Professional High standing in a Professional Body Body, Master of a Livery Company Orders and Decorations conferred by MBE, OBE, CBE, DSO, Knight, Dame the Crown Service as a commissioned officer in Military Commission HM Forces or Cadets (incl’ retired) Lord Mayor, Alderman, County High Public Office Councillor, Police & Crime School Governor,CommissionerMP Charity Trustee, Service to the Community Magistrate, Parish Councillor Lord Lieutenant (Vice or Deputy), High Civil appointments Sheriff, Justice of the Peace 26

The test of eminence is what determines if a subject of the Crown is a suitable person to whom arms may be granted. There is no fixed definition of eminence although it is often said that a degree or professional qualification is sufficient. The examples given above are neither exhaustive or indicative of a minimum standard. Clearly someone who has been made a Knight or Dame by the Sovereign is amply qualified. There are many forms of evidence that a petitioner may gather to support their case and petitioners should not think they are unqualified or unworthy (unless they have a criminal record). The College of Arms take a broad and flexible view of eminence, and even the absence of a degree or professional qualifications may not in of itself disqualify someone from a successful petition - especially if they can produce suitably eminent supporters to attest to their achievements. Slay your Dragons

Don’t assume you aren’t eligible

Think for the very long-term (generations)

If you don’t ask, you won’t get

Start saving up now

Don’t wait until you are a Senior Warden

There are a few simple do’s and don’ts that can help you in your preparing to petition. For those petitioners who are on the Court of a Livery Company it is important not to hold off petitioning until you reach the level of a warden in the Company. For some elected offices in the City of London it is a requirement that the office holder has or obtains arms, specifically Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor. What does it cost? (2016)

Arms and Crest £5,750 Shield only: for a woman in separate patent £4,125 Shield only: for a woman in husband’s patent £2,175 Badge £1,400 Standard £1,025 Supporters (Life) £2,975 Supporters (Hereditary) £3,325 Crown decorations, illuminated borders £POA

Registering of pedigrees, genealogical research £POA28

These are the costs for the various services that the College of Arms provide. The ﬁgures are valid until year end 2016. Optional embellishments to Letters Patent such as illuminated borders or the addition of crown decorations are priced depending on the complexity and time involved in producing the artwork. The College of Arms will also carry out genealogical research and register family pedigrees, price on application - again depending on the work involved. There are separate fees for corporate bodies and charities. Displaying Arms

There are a seemingly endless number of ways in which arms may be used and displayed. We will explore some of the more frequently occurring examples. Signet Rings Heraldic Standard Digital Avatars

Book Plates Stained Glass Letter Heads30

There are no end to the ways in which you may use your arms, it is simply a matter of taste and decency. Perhaps an heraldic tattoo? Popular examples include signet rings and desk seals, heraldic standards (tapering flag) and banners (square flag), book plates, stained glass windows, letter heads and even digital images used on social media and websites. There are also specific ways of displaying heraldry in churches for deceased persons (called a hatchment) and many great houses feature arms in the fabric of buildings, fixtures and fittings. Preparing your petition

What follows is some guidance on the do’s and do not’s associated with petitioning for arms. These should be read as guidelines, not prescriptive rules. Hints and Tips

Start now, but don’t be in a rush Plan for a 2 year period from initial enquiry to grant Update your CV (focus on eminence) Think about the elements you want in your arms Approach the College with an open mind Avoid designs that will date quickly Consider stepping back a generation

On the last of these points it is entirely possible for a grant to be made to a deceased parent, thus importing brothers and sisters who would otherwise not be part of the grant if made to a single son or daughter of the deceased parent. Writing to the College

The Officer in Waiting HM College of Arms Queen Victoria Street LONDON, EC4V 4BT

If you don’t know any of the heralds at the College of Arms the usual practice is to write to the Officer in Waiting. The heralds operate a taxi rank system and respond to all enquiries during their week at the front of the rank. Frequently Asked Questions Q1) Are there any restrictions on how I may use arms? A1) No, you may use your own arms as you see fit. Q2) What should I do if I believe I may already be entitled to arms by inheritance? A2) The College of Arms can help you establish a right to arms by conducting genealogical research. Q3) What happens to the arms if I have a crown decoration but my children don’t? A3) Crown decorations can be shown hanging from the arms of the person who received the award. They do not change the arms that descend to children. Q4) What happens if someone misuses my arms? A4) Arms are intellectual property, it is unlawful to claim someone else’s arms as one’s own. Q5) Does a woman’s arms have to be on a lozenge or oval? A5) No, it is now possible for women to display their arms on a shield. Q6) How does the College of Arms treat same-sex marriages? A6) The College recognises same-sex marriages between armigers who may impale their arms. Q7) Can I use arms in the UK that have been granted by another authority, e.g., a European monarchy? A7) No, but it may be possible for you to have arms granted in the UK that are similar to, or incorporate significant elements of arms you already use that were granted elsewhere. 34

These are some of the questions arising from the ﬁrst Grant of Arms workshop. Additional Resources

Websites College of Arms: college-of-arms.gov.uk The Heraldry Society: theheraldrysociety.com (Learned Society) The White Lion Society: whitelionsociety.org.uk (supporting HM College of Arms) The Society of Heraldic Arts: heraldic-arts.com Cambridge University Heraldic & Genealogical Society: cuhags.soc.srcf.net Oxford University Heraldry Society: http://www.oxford-heraldry.org.uk/index.htm Selected Bibliography Coats of Arms (Jamieson) by Pitkin Guides 1998 The Illustrated Book of Heraldry (Slater) by Lorenz Books 2013 An Heraldic Alphabet (Brooke-Little) by Robson Books 1998 The Sutton Companion to Heraldry (Friar) by Sutton Publishing 2004

The College of Arms website provides further details on the process of petitioning for a grant of arms as well as news of recent grants. The Heraldry Society is the learned society for the study of heraldry in England. It publishes a regular magazine and a detailed journal in addition to organising regular lectures in London. The White Lion Society is a smaller group that supports the College of Arms through donations and visits to places of heraldic interest. The Society of Heraldic Arts is a guild for artists specialising in heraldry. The Cambridge University Heraldic & Genealogical Society is a student society of Cambridge University that is best described as ‘where heraldry meets gastronomy’. There are an immense range of books published on heraldry, the three listed on this page are among the easiest to read and most useful for beginners. Suppliers I have used

The following suppliers of heraldic accoutrements have proven to be knowledgeable, reliable and work to the highest standards. Other suppliers are available.

Flag: www.newtonnewtonﬂags.com Signet Ring and Desk Seal: www.rodneyjrigby.com Table mats and Coasters: www.clubmatters.com Business Cards: moo.com Table banner: www.toye.com Lapel Badge: www.fattorini.co.uk

36 Keep a sharp lookout for my next workshop Petitioning for a License to Crenellate

Once you have your own grant of arms you’ll need a castle to display them. Rather than go to the expense of buying a castle why not petition the Crown for a License to Crenellate?