Nicholas Charles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas Charles
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| Died | 1613 |
Nicholas Charles (who died in 1613) was an important English official. He worked as an "officer of arms." This job involved keeping track of family histories and coats of arms. From 1609 to 1613, he held the special title of Lancaster Herald. Nicholas Charles is also famous for copying a very old book of coats of arms. This book, from the 1200s, is now called "Charles's Roll." The original book is sadly lost, so his copy is very valuable!
Contents
The Life of Nicholas Charles
Nicholas Charles was the son of George Carles, a butcher from London. When he was young, he joined the College of Arms. This is a special place where heralds work. He started as a "Blanche Lyon Pursuivant." A pursuivant is like an assistant herald.
Becoming a Lancaster Herald
On April 21, 1609, Nicholas Charles became a Lancaster Herald. This was a big promotion! As a herald, he helped record family trees and coats of arms. He also helped organize important ceremonies.
Important Journeys and Work
In 1611, Charles traveled with Richard St George. St George was another important herald called the Norroy King of Arms. They went on a "visitation" to Derbyshire. A visitation was a trip where heralds checked and recorded coats of arms. They also made sure people were using them correctly.
Later, on July 22, 1613, William Camden chose Charles to help him. Camden was the Clarenceux King of Arms. Charles was asked to do a visitation in Huntingdonshire. He finished this important job just before he died. Nicholas Charles passed away on November 19, 1613.
Friends and Recognition
Nicholas Charles was good friends with William Camden. He was also friends with Sir Robert Cotton, a famous collector. Other important people, like Thomas Milles and Edmund Howes, praised Charles for his work. They said he was very helpful with their own writings.
Nicholas Charles's Important Works
Nicholas Charles collected many important papers and drawings. After he died, William Camden bought his collection for £90. Today, parts of his collection are in the College of Arms. Other parts are kept in the British Library.
What His Collection Included
His collection has many interesting items. One part is a book of epitaphs. These are inscriptions found on gravestones in churches around London. The book also has drawings of monuments and coats of arms. This collection is now known as Lansdowne MS 874. Another part of his work is a list of all the officers who worked at the College of Arms. This is called Harley MS 5880.
Lost and Found Records
Some of Charles's records are now lost. For example, he made a visitation of Staffordshire. He also made one for Suffolk. But these documents cannot be found today. However, his visitation of Huntingdonshire still exists. There are three copies of it. One copy, called "C. 3 Huntingdon 1613," is at the College of Arms. It was even published in a book in 1849.
Nicholas Charles's Family Life
Nicholas Charles married a woman named Penelope. She was the daughter of Sir William Segar. Sir William Segar was a very important herald, the Garter King of Arms. Penelope lived longer than Nicholas. After he died, she married Timothy Cartwright. Timothy was from Great Washbourne, Gloucestershire. Penelope and Timothy had a son named Thomas Cartwright. He grew up to be a famous architect.
Coat of Arms
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