Norroy and Ulster King of Arms
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is the provincial King of Arms at the College of Arms with jurisdiction over England north of the Trent and Northern Ireland. The two offices of Norroy and Ulster were formerly separate. Norroy King of Arms is the older office, there being a reference as early as 1276 to a "King of Heralds beyond the Trent in the North". The name Norroy is derived from the Old French nort roy meaning 'north king'. The office of Ulster Principal King of Arms for All-Ireland was established in 1552 by King Edward VI to replace the older post of Ireland King of Arms, which had lapsed in 1487.
The coat of arms of Norroy King of Arms, taken from Lant's Roll c. 1595
Thomas Hawley served as Norroy from 1534–1536.
Peter Le Neve served as Norroy from 1704–1729.
Sir William Weldon at the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902.
King of arms is the senior rank of an officer of arms. In many heraldic traditions, only a king of arms has the authority to grant armorial bearings and sometimes certify genealogies and noble titles. In other traditions, the power has been delegated to other officers of similar rank.
King during the solemn funeral of Albert VI of Austria
Louis d'Ursel was the King of Arms of Flanders
Banners of the arms of office of the three current English kings of arms. Visible are the banners of Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, Clarenceux King of Arms, and Garter Principal King of Arms.
Thomas Hawley, Clarenceux King of Arms, wearing a tabard bearing the royal arms of England and holding a white staff of office
