Simple English definitions for legal terms
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HERALDS' COLLEGE: A group of people in England who are responsible for giving and keeping track of special symbols and family histories. They also decide who gets to go first in important events. The group was started a long time ago by a king named Richard III and is still around today. They have books with information about families all over England, which are considered very trustworthy. They can also give people new symbols and even change their names.
The Heralds' College is a royal organization in England that is responsible for granting and recording armorial insignia and genealogies, as well as dealing with matters of precedence. It was founded by Richard III in 1484 and is governed by the Earl Marshal. The College consists of three kings of arms, six heralds, and four pursuivants.
The heralds' books are based on family-lineage inquiries made throughout England and are considered good evidence of pedigrees. The heralds' office is still allowed to make grants of arms and to grant name changes.
For example, if a family wants to create a coat of arms to represent their family, they can apply to the Heralds' College for a grant of arms. The College will research the family's history and create a unique coat of arms that represents their family's values and history.
Another example is if two families are arguing over who has the right to use a certain coat of arms. The Heralds' College can investigate the matter and determine which family has the right to use the coat of arms based on their research and records.