Chapter XXI

_The College of Arms-- The Lyon Office of Scotland-- Grants of Arms--
Tax on "Armorial Bearings," and on "Arms Found"_

"They were conspicuous for judgment, experience, learning, and
elegance; they gained honour wherever they were employed."
--NOBLE, _History of the College of Arms_.

"What is your Crest and Motto?--Send name and county to ----'s
Heraldic Office. For plain Sketch, 3s. 6d. In heraldic colours, 6s."
--_Morning Newspapers._

I. The HERALDS OF ENGLAND, who before had been attached to the Household either of the Sovereign or of some Personage of exalted rank, were incorporated as a Fraternity by RICHARD III., a Prince whose historical reputation is by no means in harmony with that early act of his reign, which has done such good service to English History--the Foundation and Establishment of the COLLEGE OF ARMS, or, as it is commonly called, the HERALDS' COLLEGE.

The Letters Patent, issued for this purpose by RICHARD III., bear date March the 2nd, 1483, the first year of his reign. Very important privileges and immunities, with high powers and authority, were granted to the incorporated Heralds: and the "right fair and stately house," called "Pulteney's Inn," situate in the metropolitan parish of All Saints, was assigned to them as their permanent official residence. The Charter granted to the Heralds by the last Plantagenet Sovereign was confirmed by his successors.

The buildings of the College were destroyed by the great fire of 1666; but all the records and documents fortunately escaped, having been removed to Whitehall; and the edifice was subsequently rebuilt, chiefly at the cost of the Heralds themselves, where it now stands between St. Paul's Cathedral and the Thames. There, in the College of Arms, are still carefully preserved all that the early Heralds recorded and transmitted to our times. There, not the least valuable of the contents of the College, an unique Library is in the keeping of Guardians, who understand its true uses, as they appreciate its preciousness. And there also the Headquarters of English Heraldry are as duly established, as those of the British Army are at the Horse Guards in Whitehall.

The great change that has come upon London since the Heralds rebuilt their official home, has already caused some structural alteration in the building, and has resulted in the College of Arms now appearing out of place in its original position in the City. Other changes, which follow in such rapid succession in that busy neighbourhood, render it by no means improbable that the site of their College may be required for some great "City improvement"; and so the Heralds may be constrained to establish themselves in the more congenial regions of the metropolitan "far west." This, as I am disposed to consider, is one of those consummations that are devoutly to be desired.

The times have been in which Heraldry could not number amongst its true friends the official Heralds of the College of Arms: but, happily, a very different, and in many most important respects a thoroughly satisfactory condition of things now obtains at the College. So far as the Heralds are concerned, as a body of learned, accomplished, and courteous gentlemen, Heraldry now is admirably represented amongst us, and faithfully supported. What still is deficient in the existing constitution of the College of Arms, as a National Institution, is adaptation to existing circumstances, sentiments, and requirements. It is but a truism to assert that, as a National Institution, the College of Arms does not fill its proper position: and, to all who are familiar with the facts of the case, it is equally obvious that this is simply because the College does not vindicate its indisputable title to that position which really is its own.

Heraldry is decidedly popular. This popularity also is assuming a more practical, and at the same time a more enduring form, through gradually becoming the result of a correct appreciation of the true character of Heraldry, and of its intrinsic value. At a time in which people are beginning to feel and to admit that they _ought to know_ something about Heraldry, the College of Arms _ought to take the lead_ in making Heraldry still better understood, still more justly appreciated, still more popular. The time, also, is indeed come in which it is the bounden duty of the College of Arms to impress upon the community at large, that _the sole source and fountain-head of authority in all matters armorial, under the Sovereign, centres in itself_. This is to be accomplished by the same process, and only by the same process, by which the College of Arms may win for itself thorough popularity and universal confidence. If the College requires fresh or increased powers, application to that effect should be made to the Legislature. The Heraldry of Scotland has been dealt with by Parliament: and it would be equally easy to obtain such a statute as would enable English Heraldry to do justice to itself, while fulfilling its own proper duties.

Without abating or compromising in the slightest degree its own dignity or the dignity of Heraldry, the College of Arms requires to be transmuted from an exclusive into a popular Institution. It requires, not indeed to have its object and aim and system of action changed, but to have them expanded, and expanded so widely as to comprehend all the heraldic requirements of the age. This is a subject of too urgent importance not to be noticed here; but still, it is not possible to do more than to notice it in very general terms.

Upon one specific point, however, a few plain words may be spoken without hesitation, and may be left by themselves without comment. The Fees and Charges of all kinds for granting, matriculating, confirming, and recording the rightful possession of armorial Insignia must be arranged upon a perfectly fresh system, with such provisions and modifications as may adapt them to every variety of circumstance and of requirement. This is a question which can be regarded only from one point of view by every true lover of Heraldry, and consequently by every true friend of the College of Arms.

II. The National Heraldic body in Scotland, entitled the LYON OFFICE, is under the presidency of the _Lyon King of Arms_. The Chief of the Scottish official Heralds from May 1796 to a recent period had been a Peer of that realm; and the duties of the office, accordingly, had been discharged for seventy years by a _Lyon Depute_. But, on the death of the Earl of KINNOUL, in February 1866, it was determined to remodel in some respects the arrangements of the Lyon Office; and Mr. GEORGE BURNETT, who had long been "Lyon Depute," was appointed by Her Majesty to be "Lyon King." He has been succeeded by Sir J. BALFOUR PAUL. The Arms of the Lyon Office I have already given, No. 266.

The action of the Scottish Lyon King of Arms, and of the Institution over which he presides, after having degenerated from the worthy standard of earlier days, has revived under far happier conditions, and with prospects that are eminently gratifying. It may be fairly expected, indeed, that the most salutary results will be produced by the very decided "tendency" that for some time has existed, "to cultivate the rules and principles of that earlier age, to which"--writes Mr. Seton--"we are indebted for a system of Scottish Heraldry, whose purity certainly has not been surpassed in any other corner of Christendom." These words occur in a highly interesting memoir of the Lyon Office, in the fourth chapter of the work entitled "The Law and Practice of Heraldry in Scotland," an able and admirable volume, published in 1863 in Edinburgh, which shows the growing popularity of a true Heraldry north of the Tweed, and proves that in the author, Mr. Seton, Scottish Heraldry possesses an advocate no less powerful than zealous and judicious.

III. Arms and Armorial Insignia are granted _only_ through the College of Arms in England, and through the Lyon Office in Scotland, in both realms with the direct sanction of the Crown expressed in England by the Earl Marshal. In Ireland all Grants are made by Ulster King of Arms with the same sanction.

It is to be observed and kept in remembrance that the _sole right_ to Arms is a Grant from the College or the Crown, or Inheritance by lineal descent from an ancestor to whom a Grant was made or in whom a right to bear Arms has been officially recognised and registered by the Crown.

All "Grants" and "Confirmations of Arms" (Confirmations, that is, of the Claims of certain individuals to bear certain Arms, by some uncertain right and title duly set forth and approved and thereafter legalised by the Crown) are formally and regularly recorded, with a full blazon of the insignia, at the College or Offices of Arms.

It is very greatly to be desired that, in addition to this time-honoured usage of the Heralds in making these records, some simple plan could be adopted for the periodical registration at the College of Arms of all armorial insignia that are borne by right. Almost equally desirable, also, it would be to make a corresponding registration, as far as might be possible, of whatever insignia are borne _without_ any right. The contents of both registers would form unquestionably useful publications of a periodical character. In connection with any such project as I have just suggested, it appears to me that good service might be rendered to the cause of true Heraldry amongst us, if _Badges and Mottoes_ (without any other insignia whatever) were formally granted by the College, under certain conditions, and at the cost of a small Fee.[9]

[Footnote 9: I leave this sentence as it has hitherto stood in the
book. Badges are now granted and recorded, but a prior right to arms
is required. --A. C. F.-D. 1908.]

In new Grants of Arms, as in so many formal documents, something of the early form of Expression, with some traces of its piquant quaintness, are still retained. Very quaint indeed, and very extravagant also, is the style that was generally adopted by the Heralds of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and yet characteristic of both the men and their times. As an example of one of these old documents, an example of no common interest in itself, I now give the Grant of Arms to JOHN SHAKESPERE, the Poet's father, in the year 1596. Two draft copies of the original Grant are preserved in the College of Arms; the following transcript is printed from the later of the two copies, the earlier having been used to supply any word or passage that now is wanting in the other. The insertions thus obtained are printed in brackets.

[Transcriber's Note:
All brackets except footnote references are in the original. Letters
in braces { } ("curly brackets") were printed as superscripts.]

GRANT OF ARMS TO JOHN SHAKESPERE, A.D. 1596.

To all and singuler Noble and Gentelmen of what estate [or] degree
bearing arms to whom these presentes shall come, William Dethick
alias Garter principall King of Armes sendethe greetinges. Know
yee that, whereas by the authoritie and auncyent pryveleges
perteyning to my office from the Quenes most excellent Ma{te} and
by her highnesse most noble and victorious progenitors, I am to
take generall notice and record and to make declaration and
testemonie for all causes of arms and matters of Gentrie thoroughe
out all her Majestes Kingdoms, Domynions, Principalites, Isles,
and Provinces, To th' end that, as manie gentelmen, by theyre
auncyent names of families, kyndredes and descentes, have and
enjoye certeyne enseignes and cotes of arms, So it is verie
expedient in all ages that some men for theyr valeant factes,
magnanimite, vertu, dignites, and desertes, may use and beare
suche tokens of honour and worthinesse, whereby theyre name and
good fame may be the better knowen and divulged, and theyre
children and posterite in all vertu (to the service of theyre
Prynce and Contrie) encouraged. Wherefore being solicited and by
credible report informed that John Shakespeare of Stratford uppon
Avon in the counte of Warwik, whose parentes and late
antecessors[10] were for theyre faithefull and va[leant service
advaunced and rewarded by the most prudent] prince King Henry the
Seventh of [famous memorie, sythence which tyme they have
continewed at] those partes, being of good reputacion [and credit;
and that the] said John hathe maryed [Mary, daughter and one of
the heyrs of Robert Arden, of Wilmcote, in the said] counte,
esquire.[11] In consideration whereof, and for the encouragement
of his posterite, to whom such Blazon [or Atchevement] by the
auncyent custome of the lawes of armes maie descend, I the said
Garter King of Armes have assigned, graunted and by these
presentes confirmed this shield or cote of arms, viz. Gould, on a
bend sables a speare of the first, steeled argent; and for his
crest or cognizance a falcon, his winges displayed, argent,
standing on a wrethe of his coullors, supporting a speare gould,
steeled as aforesaid, sett upon a helmett with mantelles and
tasselles as hath ben accustomed and dothe more playnely appeare
depicted on this margent. Signefieng hereby, and by the authorite
of my office aforesaid ratifieng, that it shalbe lawfull for the
sayd John Shakespeare gent. and for his cheldren, yssue and
posterite (at all tymes and places convenient) to bear and make
demonstracion of the said Blazon or Atchevement uppon theyre
Shieldes, Targets, Escucheons, Cotes of arms, Pennons, Guydons,
Ringes, Edefices, Buyldinges, Utensiles, Lyveries, Tombes or
Monumentes, or otherwise, for all lawfull warrlyke factes or
civile use and exercises, according to the lawes of armes, without
let or interruption of any other person or persons for use or
bearing the same. In witnesse and perpetuall remembrance hereof I
have hereunto subscribed my name, and fastened the seale of my
office endorzed with the signett of my armes, At the Office of
Armes, London, the xx. daye of October, the xxxviij. yeare of the
reigne of our Soveraigne Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God Quene
of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faythe, etc.
1596.

[Footnote 10: Above the word _antecessors_ is written
_Grandfather_.]

[Footnote 11: _Gent._ was first written, and it is altered to
_esquire_.]

Like other documents of its class, in this Grant the language is framed after certain regular forms; so that it is to be read without that exact observance of particular expressions, which is rightly bestowed upon legal and historical records. The interest inseparable from this Grant is enhanced in no slight degree by the strong probability that John Shakespere made his application to the College of Arms by the advice and in consequence of the request of his son. Had the worthy Garter been able to divine the "dignities and desertes" of the son, he might possibly have employed formal language of a still more complimentary character, when drawing up a Grant of Arms for the father.

A much more curious specimen of the heraldic style and form of expression (and also of the spelling) of the earlier days of the Queen ELIZABETH era, is a Grant of Augmentation and Crest, by LAWRENCE DALTON, Norroy King of Arms, to JOHN BENNETT, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Gentleman, A.D. 1560. The Preamble to this Grant, which is printed in full in _Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica_ (p. 48), is thus written:--

To All and Singuler as well nobles and gentles as kings herauldes
and officers of Armes as others w{ch} thes presentes shall see
Reade or heare Lawrence Dalton Esquire Al's Norrey Kinge of Armes
of thest and west p'tyes of Englande fro the Ryver of trent
northwarde Sendythe Due and humble comendacons and greatinge
fforasmuche as awncyentlye fro the begynnynge and not w{th}owt
great Delyberacon Equitie and Reason hyt hathe byn by the moste
noble and famous princes Constytutyd and ordeynyd that men of
wysdom knoledge vertue and of noble lyefe and Coorage haue byn
notoryowslye commendyd to the Woorlde w{th} Sonndrye monumentes
and Remembrances w{th} tokens of honnor for A testamonye of
theyre good Desertes As Amonge the Romayns y{e} Erecc'on of
Statues and Images w{th} tytles and Appellac'ons of honnour And
of more latre Dayes w{th} the moste p'te of nac'ons bearinge of
Signes and tokens in Shyldes callyd Armes w{ch} be the
Demonstrac'ons and Evidences of noblenes vertue and woorthynes
that to eu'ry man accordinge to theyre Desertes be Dyu'slye
Dystrybutyd Wherby such signes and tokens of the woorthye and
cooragyous might appeare before the cowarde vnwoorthye and
Ignorant Even so yt ys yet obs'vyd that suche w{ch} have merytyd
or donne com'endable s'vice to theyre prince or countrye or by
theyre woorthye and Lawdable lyefe Do Daylye encrease in vertue
wysdom and knowledge shulde not be forgoten and so put in oblyvyon
but rewardyd w{th} som token of honnor for the same the Rather to
move and styrre other to the Imytac'on of lyke noblenes vertue and
woorthynes ffor w{ch} purpose hyt was not therefor w{th}owt
great provydence ordeynyd and yet ys that there Shulde be officers
and herauldes of Armes to whose office hyt shulde be appropryate
to kepe in Regestre tharmes pedegrees and Descentes of nobles and
gentles w{th} theyre woorthye and valyant actes and to have power
and awethorytye to allowe and Ratefye vnto the woorthye Som
awgmentac'on token or Remembrance of noblenes for theyre seyde
woorthynes And now beinge Desyryd--

And so forth, worthy Mr. Norroy having forgotten such "signes and tokens" as stops, while carefully showing what style and form it is _not_ desirable for us to adopt, however excellent may be his system of building up honourable insignia upon a foundation of nobleness, virtue, and worthiness.

I add one other early document of another kind, which is an excellent model for present use by the Heralds of our own days, the orthography having by them been duly corrected.

EXAMPLE OF A CONFIRMATION OR RECORD OF ARMS:-- Theis are the
anncient Armes and Creast, belonging to the name and famely of
LEECHFORDE in the County of Surrey, descended from the LEECHFORDS
in Buckinghamsheire. Which at the request of S{R} RICHARD
LEECHFORDE of Shelwood in the County of Surrey Knight, I WILL'M
SEGAR Garter, Principall King of Armes have blasoned, and sett
forth in coullors, according as they are here depicted in the
margent. Viz." (here follows a written blazon).... "Testifying
hereby the saide armoryes to belong vnto the saide S{R} RICHARD
LEECHFORD and to his yssue, to vse, beare, and shewe forth at all
tymes, and in all places, at their free lib'ty and pleasure. In
Witnes wherof....

&c. &c., with Seal and Signature, and the Date 3rd of JAMES I.

I presume that an argument in support of the abolition of all Taxation of "Armorial Bearings," on the plea of the utter absurdity of a tax upon an honourable distinction, would be met with the reply that "Armorial Bearings" are taxed purely as "luxuries," and without the slightest reference to their intrinsic character. If the validity of this plea must be admitted, still this tax might be levied with what may be styled a becoming heraldic discrimination.

For example:--Arms distinguished by "Augmentations of Honour" might be altogether exempted; a higher rate might be fixed in the case of Arms that are ensigned with Coronets, and that display Supporters. Arms borne by unquestionable right, and which are duly recorded at the College, might be rated at a comparatively low charge, certainly not to exceed five shillings a year. On the other hand, all Arms or armorial insignia borne with a very questionable right, or without even the pretence of any right whatever, might be subjected to the ordinary tax for "Armorial Bearings" of their class multiplied (according to circumstances) by four, six, or ten.

The tax estimated by the aid of the multiplication-table, that has just been suggested, would extend, under a special schedule possessing a high multiplying power, to any self-constituted "Establishment" or "Office," which, powerless to "grant" Arms, undertakes--in consideration of a very trifling fee--to "find," and either to "sketch" or to "colour" them. Exceedingly simple is the process, by means of which this undertaking is accomplished. It consists in consulting a printed Armory; and, when the desired "Arms" have been "found" in its well-stored columns, they then at once are assigned to the applicant, in conformity with the comprehensive and beautifully simple theory, that all persons having the same surname and who also live (or were born) in the same county are equally entitled to bear the same Arms. Probably it does not occur to the patrons of advertising Heraldry-dealers, that upon precisely the same principle every person who has the same "name and county" with any officer who may be "found" in the Navy or the Army List, might assert a right to whatever rank and title such an officer may enjoy by virtue of his commission.

The almost universal desire to possess some kind of armorial insignia, implies a corresponding recognition of the necessity to obtain them from some Institution or Personage, supposed to be competent and authorised both to determine what they should be, and to impart a right to accept and to assume and bear them. It rests with the Heralds of the College of Arms to take the initiative in a course of action, which would direct all aspirants for heraldic distinctions, as a matter of course, to their own doors. The Heralds, who really are Heralds, and who alone are real Heralds, may rely on the support of Public Opinion. If a fictitious Heraldry is not only prevalent, but in some sense actually in the ascendant, it is not because the counterfeit is preferred to the genuine, but because it is unconsciously mistaken for it. In very many instances, indeed, a determination to obtain "Arms" is coupled with an ignorance of Heraldry so complete, as to ignore the existence of any such thing as a Heraldry that is fictitious.

A popular College of Arms, without any serious difficulty, might establish its own authority with all classes of the community; and, at the same time, it would not fail to impress upon the public mind the very decided difference that exists between the heraldic and the non-heraldic acceptation of the expression--"_an escutcheon of pretence_." Much real good would certainly result from the rude shock that would be given to many a complacent display of armorial insignia, by showing the proud blazonry to be _abated_ with the baton sinister of heraldic untruth and unwarrantable assumption. And better still it would be to show to all who possess, or who desire to possess and to bear "Arms," that the "Pride of Heraldry" is a worthy and a noble pride, because it is the Pride of Truth and Right.