College of Arms, Royal heraldic authority in City of London, England
The College of Arms is the royal heraldic authority in the City of London, managing official heraldic matters for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and several Commonwealth nations. The building dates from the 17th century and houses archives, reception rooms for visitors, and working chambers for the herald officers.
Richard III founded the institution in 1484 and granted it royal authority. The current brick building rose after the Great Fire of London in 1666, replacing the lost medieval premises.
The officers carry titles like Herald or King of Arms and still wear embroidered coats with royal symbols during state ceremonies. Families across the Commonwealth approach this office when they wish to prove their genealogical line or register a new coat of arms.
The reception area sits just off Queen Victoria Street, and visitors can arrange an appointment with the Officer in Waiting during office hours. Consultation usually requires advance booking, as the heralds attend to genealogical inquiries individually.
In the basement vaults lie handwritten parchment rolls recording grants of arms, some dating back to Tudor times. Some doors still carry old brass plates bearing the names of long-dead heralds from the 18th century.
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