News & Grants - College of Arms
80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
14 September 20202020 marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, which took place between July and October 1940. 15 September 1940 was named Battle of Britain Day, as it was a day of significant success for Fighter Command.
To mark Battle of Britain Day, a request has been issued for buildings of Her Majesty's Government to fly the Union Flag at full mast on Tuesday 15 September (0800 until 2000 hours).
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary. Enquiries regarding the correct protocols for the flying of Union and other flags should be addressed to the Officer in Waiting at the College of Arms in the first instance.
Due to the current pandemic, we regret that the College of Arms is closed to visits by members of the public. All the work of the College continues. Enquiries may be made by telephone on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on (+44) 207 248 2762, by email addressed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through the form on this website here.
There may be a delayed response at this time but all enquires will receive a considered reply in due course.
Future alterations to these arrangements will be published here.
75th Anniversary of VE Day
29 April 2020Friday 8 May will be the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Her Majesty's Government has announced plans to commemorate the anniversary, which are summarized here.
Instructions have been issued that Government buildings should fly the Union Flag from 0800 hours on Friday 8 May until 2000 hours on Sunday 10 May.
There will also be a two minutes' silence at 1100 on Friday 8 May, and Her Majesty The Queen will send a message to the nation.
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary. Enquiries regarding the correct protocols for the flying of Union and other flags should be addressed to the Officer in Waiting at the College of Arms in the first instance.
The College of Arms in winter: this image of the main entrance of the College was taken by photographer and illustrator Humphrey Joel, probably during the notably cold winter of 1928-1929. The cars in the courtyard no doubt belonged to Officers of Arms; both bear London registration numbers.
Joel also created some striking images of the interiors of the College which are preserved in the archives. This image shows the Waiting Room, where enquirers are received. This interior remains much the same today. The Arms of Sir Henry Farnham Burke, Garter King of Arms, can be seen above the doorway into the Record Room, with those of Sir Gerald Wollaston, Norroy and Ulster, and Sir Arthur Cochrane, Clarenceux, to either side.
