The pedigrees collected during the Heralds’ Visitations remain one of the most important resources for genealogists. But should they be trusted without supporting evidence?

What Are the Heralds’ Visitations?

Put simply, the Heralds’ Visitations (1530-1688) were put in place to regulate the use of coats of arms. As coats of arms were passed from father to son, pedigrees (family trees) were provided to prove a family’s descent from the original bearer. This makes the Heralds’ Visitations an invaluable resource for genealogists.

A coat of arms showed a pattern of symbols that each represented a quality. For example, a lion signified bravery. The pattern could be painted onto a shield and then used in tournaments. In fact, by the year 1400 it was a requirement that all who participated in tournaments hold a coat of arms. And so it became a symbol of social status among nobles.

In the early days, the use of a coat of arms was not regulated. An individual or family could choose to adopt a coat of arms by their own choice. But not all families were qualified to do so.

In 1530, King Henry VIII authorised Thomas Benolt to investigate whether any families in his province were unlawfully using a coat of arms, or titles such as knight, esquire or gentleman. He was granted the authority to abolish false titles. Similar investigations followed throughout England.

Those who were appointed to investigate such matters were known as Kings of Arms. But most of the tours were conducted by junior officers known as Heralds. This is where the term ‘Heralds’ Visitations’ comes from.

If a family was unable to prove their entitlement to bear a coat of arms, the Herald had the authority to force them to sign a declaration that they would stop using them. In fact, the Herald also had the authority to deface monuments depicting unlawful arms.

Do Heralds of Arms Exist Today?

Although the Heralds’ Visitations ended in 1688, the College of Arms continues to regulate the use of arms. Pictured below is Sir Anthony Richard Wagner, Richmond Herald of Arms (1952).

How Were the Pedigrees Collected?

When a Heralds’ Visitation was ordered, the King of Arms, or any Heralds acting as deputies, would tour their assigned area. Originally, they would visit noble families at their homes. From the late 1560s, they would specify a location, such as an inn, where all nobles were required to meet the Herald and provide proof of their right to bear arms. The Herald would also record which coat of arms they were entitled to.

As mentioned earlier, a coat of arms was passed down to male-line descendants. So the Heralds collected pedigrees according to the testimony of each respective family. Sons were entitled to include parts of their mother’s family arms, and so women were also included in the pedigrees.

However, as it could be difficult to disprove one’s lineage where few written records were available, some families might have been tempted to falsify their ancestries to raise their social status. Even worse, there have allegedly been cases where the Herald has accepted a bribe to do so for them.

The pedigrees were written on loose sheets of paper and afterwards collected together as books. At the College of Arms, official copies were made to preserve the records. Sometimes the originals fell into private hands and were copied again. The accuracy of such copies is dependent on the honesty of those who copied them, of course.

For quite some time the College of Arms restricted access to their official pedigrees. Many had to rely on the other “copies” circulating. So in other words, if you find an old book that traces your family to noble roots, check the sources.

The College of Arms continues to regulate the use of coats of arms in the United Kingdom (not including Scotland).

In Wales and Ireland

Although parts of Wales were toured by the officers of arms, a full visitation was never completed. Fulk ap Hywel was commissioned in 1551 but was executed before finishing the project.

Ireland has a different story. Nicholas Narbon, the second Ulster King of Arms, conducted six visitations between 1568 and 1574. Specifically, he toured Dublin, Drogheda, Ardee, Swords, Cork and Limerick. One of Narbon’s successors, Daniel Molyneux, conducted additional visitations. The records are currently held by the Chief Herald of Ireland. Copies are also kept by the College of Arms in London.

So How Accurate Are the Pedigrees?

In summary, the pedigrees included in the Heralds’ Visitations can provide clues to genealogists, however they should not be trusted without supporting evidence.