Officer of arms facts for kids

Banners showing the special symbols of several officers of arms at the College of Arms in London.

An officer of arms is a special person chosen by a country's leader, like a king, queen, or state government. Their job is to handle important tasks related to symbols, traditions, and history. They are experts in things like family histories, official symbols called heraldry (like coats of arms), and planning big national events.

What is an Officer of Arms?

An officer of arms is like an expert in a country's official symbols and ceremonies. These people are picked by the government or a ruler to do very specific and important jobs. Their work often involves things that have been done for hundreds of years, keeping old traditions alive. They make sure that official symbols are used correctly and that important events happen smoothly.

What Do They Do?

Officers of arms have several key responsibilities that help a country keep track of its history and traditions.

Helping with Coats of Arms

One of their main jobs is dealing with heraldry. This is the study of coats of arms and other special symbols. Officers of arms help design new coats of arms, make sure they follow the rules, and keep records of all the existing ones. These symbols are often used by families, towns, or organizations to show who they are. They also make sure that these symbols are used properly and respectfully.

Planning Big Events

Officers of arms also play a big part in arranging and carrying out important national ceremonies. These can include things like royal weddings, coronations (when a king or queen is crowned), or state funerals. They know all the rules and traditions for these events, making sure everything happens in the right order and with the correct customs. They help make these big moments special and memorable.

Keeping Important Records

Another vital task for officers of arms is looking after official records. They keep detailed lists and information about heraldry and genealogy (family histories). This means they have records of who belongs to which family, what symbols they use, and how they are all connected. These records are very important for understanding a country's past and its noble families. They are like historians who specialize in official symbols and family trees.

Officers of Arms in Scotland

In Scotland, officers of arms still have a very old and traditional role. They continue the job of a herald, which means they deliver important messages from the ruler. For example, when the parliament in London is officially ended, a special announcement is made. The officers of arms in Scotland wait three days before reading this royal message out loud at the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh. They wait three days because that's how long it used to take for someone to travel from London to Edinburgh by horse in olden times. This shows how they keep ancient traditions alive.

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