Legal Definitions - herald

The term herald refers to an official, historically often associated with royalty or government, who performs specific ceremonial duties or delivers important public announcements and diplomatic messages.

Here are some examples to illustrate the role of a herald:

• Imagine a scenario in a historical kingdom where a new law is passed regarding land ownership. A herald would be dispatched to various towns and villages, riding into the central square to publicly read the official proclamation, ensuring all citizens were aware of the new decree.

  This illustrates the herald's role as a messenger responsible for announcing royal or state proclamations to the general public.

• In a modern constitutional monarchy, an official might hold a position similar to a herald, responsible for meticulously maintaining the official records of noble families' genealogies and ensuring that their coats of arms are correctly registered and displayed during state events, such as a royal wedding or a parliamentary opening.

  This example highlights the herald's function in keeping genealogical lists, adjusting armorial bearings, and regulating ceremonies, particularly in contexts with ongoing monarchical traditions.

• Consider two warring nations in ancient times. Before a major battle, one kingdom might send a herald to the opposing army's camp to deliver a formal message, perhaps offering terms for a truce or issuing a final challenge. The herald would carry a distinctive banner or staff to signify their protected status as an official envoy.

  This demonstrates the herald's historical role as a diplomatic messenger, carrying critical communications, such as declarations of war, peace, or truce, between rulers or countries.