College of Arms

4. The current officers of arms
For most of the time since their incorporation in 1484 heralds have been members of the Royal Household, directly appointed by the Sovereign on the recommendation of the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal. Since the re-incorporation in 1555 the College has consisted of thirteen officers of arms. Those officers of arms who make up the College of Arms are styled 'heralds in ordinary'. Their titles (and the current office holders) are as follows:
Garter Principal King of Arms Peter Llewellyn Gwynn-Jones, C.V.O., M.A. (Cambridge), F.S.A.
Clarenceux King of Arms David Hubert Boothby Chesshyre, L.V.O., M.A. (Cambridge), F.S.A.
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms Thomas Woodcock, L.V.O., B.A. (Durham), LL.B. (Cambridge), F.S.A.
Richmond Herald Patric Laurence Dickinson, M.A. (Oxford)
York Herald Henry Edgar Paston-Bedingfeld
Chester Herald Timothy Hugh Stewart Duke, M.A. (Cambridge)
Lancaster Herald Robert John Baptist Noel, M.A. (Oxford), M.Phil. (Cambridge)
Windsor Herald William George Hunt, T.D., B.A. (Southampton), F.C.A.
Somerset Herald David Vines White, M.A. (Cambridge), M.A. (London)
Rouge Dragon Pursuivant Clive Edwin Alexander Cheesman, M.A. (Oxford), Ph.D. (San Marino)
Bluemantle Pursuivant Michael Peter Desmond O'Donoghue, M.A. (Cambridge)
Portcullis Pursuivant vacant
Rouge Croix Pursuivant vacant
Heralds receive yearly salaries from the Crown - Garter King of Arms £49.07, the two provincial Kings of Arms £20.25, the six heralds £17.80, and the four pursuivants £13.95. These salaries were fixed at higher levels by James I but reduced by William IV in the 1830s. The work of the heralds is otherwise unassisted from public funds. However, in addition to their official duties, they have for many centuries undertaken private practice in heraldry and genealogy, for which they are allowed to charge professional fees.

There are also a number of supernumerary officers of arms who are not members of the College but who process with the other heralds on ceremonial occasions. These are styled 'heralds extraordinary':
New Zealand Herald Extraordinary Phillip Patrick O’Shea, C.N.Z.M, L.V.O.
Beaumont Herald Extraordinary Francis Sedley Andrus, L.V.O., M.A. (Oxford)
Maltravers Herald Extraordinary John Martin Robinson, M.A. (St. Andrews), D.Phil. (Oxford), F.S.A.
Wales Herald Extraordinary Michael Powell Siddons, M.A., M.B., Chir. B. (Cambridge) F.S.A.
Norfolk Herald Extraordinary David Rankin-Hunt, M.V.O., M.B.E., T.D.
Arundel Herald Extraordinary Alan Roger Dickins, M.A. (Cambridge)
Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary Alastair Andrew Bernard Reibey Bruce of Crionaich
For a complete bibliography of the writings (since 1980) of the current Officers of Arms, follow this link.

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