King of Arms

A King of arms is a government officer in countries like England, Scotland, and Wales. He grants coats of arms to other people. King of Arms is the highest rank of officer of arms. Some countries do not have a King of Arms, but have another person that grants coats of arms.

The Banners (flags of coats of arms) of the English Kings of Arms

Heraldic jobs

• In England, Wales and Northern Ireland two of the three Kings of Arms gives coats of arms to people after the Earl Marshal approves.
• In Scotland the Lord Lyon gives coats of arms without needing any other permission.
• In the Republic of Ireland the coats of arms are given by chief herald.
• Canada also has a chief herald, who is in charge of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
• In South Africa the State Herald is in charge of the Bureau of Heraldry
• In the Kingdom of Spain, a Cronista de Armas (Chronicler of Arms) has the power to give people coats of arms.

A King of Arms is also usually in charge of special ceremonies for a country.

British Kings of Arms

Thomas Hawley, Clarenceux King of Arms

English Kings of Arms

• Garter Principal King of Arms
• Clarenceux King of Arms
• Norroy and Ulster King of Arms

Scottish King of Arms

• Lord Lyon King of Arms

Chief Heralds

• The Chief Herald of Canada
• Chief Herald of Ireland
• The State Herald of South Africa

Cronistas de Armas

• Cronista de Armas de Castille and Leon

Related pages

• Heraldry
• Officer of Arms
• College of Arms
• Court of the Lord Lyon
• Canadian Heraldic Authority

Other websites

• The Court of the Lord Lyon Archived 2014-06-07 at the Wayback Machine
• The College of Arms
• The Canadian Heraldic Authority Archived 2007-03-10 at the Wayback Machine
• The Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland Archived 2021-10-19 at the Wayback Machine