A college of arms oversees the granting of heraldic material and genealogical information, with the British College of Arms being the most famous. Heralds determine eligibility for a coat of arms and descendants or those who make major contributions to society may be granted one. Fees are paid by applicants, but a government-appointed official has the final say to prevent buying a coat of arms.
A college of arms is an organization which oversees the registers and grants of heraldic material for a nation, and sometimes for citizens of other nations as well. Because genealogy research is an important part of determining whether or not someone is eligible for a coat of arms, a college of arms typically also serves as a repository for genealogical information, especially information pertaining to nobility. The most famous college of arms in the world is probably the British College of Arms, founded in 1484; this august institution oversees the coat of arms of much of the United Kingdom and many nations in Europe as well.
People who work in a college of arms are known as heralds. Heralds are highly skilled individuals who are able to do extensive research to determine whether or not someone should be allowed to have a coat of arms. Traditionally, those wishing to apply for a coat of arms must usually pay a fee to a herald, who undertakes the necessary research and determines whether or not the application will be approved. These heralds receive authority personally from the sovereign and are overseen by a king-at-arms, a chief officer who often has the final say in a grant of arms.
Sometimes, a ruler may directly grant coats of arms, in which case they are registered in a college of arms. These extensive documents can be quite fascinating to peruse, as they can provide a window into the history of a nation and its illustrious citizens. Someone entitled to bear a coat of arms is known as a person of arms, and generally specific rules govern the wearing of a coat of arms.
The rules of a college of arms vary, depending on one’s heraldic culture. In general, descendants of a person in arms are entitled to coats of arms, and coats of arms may also be granted based on major contributions to society. If someone unsuitable approaches a college of arms to apply for the coat of arms, a herald usually suggests that his application should not be pursued, thus saving the individual a considerable amount of money and time.
Typically, a college of arms is supported by the fees paid by the applicants. Some of these fees can get quite steep, and people have suggested that this system encourages grants to those who don’t deserve a coat of arms, as they can essentially buy a coat of arms. Most heraldic authorities are quick to say that one does not “buy” a coat of arms, but rather pays the employees of a college of arms for their work. Also, in most cases a government-appointed official has the final say on gun concessions, ensuring that people cannot buy their way into the gun college.
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