Ireland King of Arms

In 1392,[2] King Richard II of England created the first in a succession of Ireland kings of arms. It is unknown why such an office was called into being. Froissart notes the creation of Chandos le Roy d'Ireland, but does not give any clues as to the reasoning. It does, however, fit into the general English policy in Ireland at the time. Richard II sought to re-establish English control in those areas where the native Irish had reasserted their independence. The appointment can be seen as a necessary part of the preparations for the appointment of the Duke of Gloucester as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1392. Richard intended Gloucester to lead a major military campaign, and such a campaign would have necessitated the involvement of heralds to marshal arms and provide advice and evidence in case of heraldic disputes.[3]

Richard and Gloucester's campaign of 1392 never happened, but Richard did leave for Ireland in 1394 with a large army, accompanied by John Othelake, who had succeeded Chandos as Ireland King of Arms in 1393. No details are given of Othelake's career as Ireland King of Arms, although he certainly had a connection with Ireland as an officer of arms to the Earl of March in 1381. The historical evidence does not even make clear how long Othelake served in the position.[3]

It is clear that Othelake was no longer enjoying the office by 1420. By this time, John Kitley had been appointed to the post, though the exact date of his appointment is unknown. He was appointed by King Henry V of England on the insistence of the Earl of Ormonde. There is no evidence to suggest that Kitley had any connection to Ireland, or even that he visited it, but his connection to Earl of Ormonde is interesting. Kitley was succeeded by Thomas Collyer, who had previously served as Clarenceux King of Arms and Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary. Nothing is known of his career as Ireland, and he was succeeded by Thomas Ashwell.[3]

Walter Bellinger enjoyed the office of Ireland King of Arms from at least 1468. This is proven by the fact that on 3 June 1469, King Edward IV granted Bellinger a pension of £20 per annum for his service as Ireland. The same writ states that he had been appointed on 9 June the year before.[4] Bellinger was a native of Dieppe, and had served as a herald for fifty-five years by 1477.[3] He accompanied his King to France and acted as his ambassador to the French court in the discussions preceding the Treaty of Picquigny. The French King gave him the value of 100 silver marks for his services in that affair.[5] Bellinger held the office of Ireland King of Arms until the reign of Henry VII of England.[6] After Bellinger, no one was appointed to fill the office.[7]

Bellinger is the only Ireland King of Arms known to have made any grants of arms. However two of his four known grants were annulled and or regranted, because their recipients were within the heraldic jurisdiction of other kings of arms.[8] There is no evidence to suggest that any Ireland Kings of Arms ever attempted to exercise control over the heraldic practice of Ireland.[3]

In 1552, Bartholomew Butler was created Ulster King of Arms. Edward VI wrote in his journal of the occasion "There was a king of arms made for Ireland, whose name was Ulster, and whose province was Ireland, and he was...the first herald of Ireland." Ulster King of Arms was thus a new creation, rather than a revival of Ireland King of Arms,[7] and unlike the latter had heraldic jurisdiction over Ireland.[9] While heraldic control in the Republic of Ireland was transferred to the Government of Ireland, the heraldic functions for Northern Ireland transferred to London within the province of the present Norroy and Ulster King of Arms.

• Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland

• Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (2007). Complete Guide To Heraldry. New York: Sterling. ISBN 1-60239-001-0.
• Friar, Stephen (1987). A Dictionary of heraldry. New York: Harmony Books. ISBN 0-517-56665-6.
• Grenham, John (1999). The Genealogical Office, Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission. ISBN 1-874280-23-1.
• London, Hugh Stanford (1958). "Walter Bellengier, Ireland King of Arms, 1467–87". Notes and Queries. 203 (6).
• ÓComáin, Micheál (1991). Poolbeg Book of Irish Heraldry. Poolbeg Pr Ltd. ISBN 1-85371-126-8.
• Wagner, Anthony (1967). Heralds of England, a History of the College of Arms. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. OCLC 1178344.
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• Image of a grant of arms by Walter Bellinger in the British Library