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The Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society was formed as the result of the merger in 1957 of a previous Heraldic Society (founded 1948) with the Cambridge University Society of Genealogists (founded 1954).


Foundation of the society

The first Cambridge University Heraldic Society was founded in 1948 from the remnants of the late nineteenth-century
Monumental Brass A monumental brass is a type of engraved sepulchral memorial, which in the 13th century began to partially take the place of three-dimensional monuments and effigies carved in stone or wood. Made of hard latten or sheet brass, let into the pav ...
Society. In 1954, a separate Cambridge University Society of Genealogists was formed. Not surprisingly many members of one society were members of the other and on 10 June 1957, sponsored by some vice-presidents, by agreement between the secretaries, special general meetings of both societies were held and resolutions passed abolishing both societies on condition that a new joint society was formed later in the day. Meetings held earlier in the term had led to the formal culmination of a series of discussions for the consolidation and amalgamation. The structure of the new society was to include a
patron Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings, popes, and the wealthy have provided to artists su ...
and a number of honorary vice-presidents. The committee was to consist of a president, a secretary, a senior treasurer, a junior treasurer and ordinary
committee A committee or commission is a body of one or more persons subordinate to a deliberative assembly. A committee is not itself considered to be a form of assembly. Usually, the assembly sends matters into a committee as a way to explore them more ...
members.


The society today

Four speaker meetings are held in each of the
Michaelmas Michaelmas ( ; also known as the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the Feast of the Archangels, or the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels) is a Christian festival observed in some Western liturgical calendars on 29 September, a ...
and
Lent Lent ( la, Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is a solemn religious moveable feast#Lent, observance in the liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring Temptation of Jesus, temptation by Satan, according ...
terms and a ninth at the beginning of the Easter term. These are in the general area of
heraldry Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, rank and pedigree. Armory, the best-known bran ...
and
genealogy Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kin ...
but also include cognate subjects such as ceremonial dress,
tartan Tartan ( gd, breacan ) is a patterned cloth consisting of criss-crossed, horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Sc ...
, local history, customs, military medals or indeed anything of an
antiquarian An antiquarian or antiquary () is an fan (person), aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient artifact (archaeology), artifac ...
nature. There are generally two outings each year—one in Michaelmas and one in Lent-–to places of heraldic and genealogical interest. In recent years, the society has visited the
College of Arms The College of Arms, or Heralds' College, is a royal corporation consisting of professional officers of arms, with jurisdiction over England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Commonwealth realms. The heralds are appointed by the British Sover ...
, the
Society of Genealogists The Society of Genealogists (SoG) is a UK-based educational charity, founded in 1911Fowler, S School of Advanced Study, University of London. Date unknown. Retrieved 2011-10-30. to "promote, encourage and foster the study, science and knowledge ...
and various cathedrals and museums. The society also hosts one large dinner each term with the Annual Dinner (in the Lent term) attracting up to 70 diners. There is also a garden party in the Easter term. In 2022 the society hosted the 35th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences patronized by The Earl of Wessex, and attended by officers of arms from many different nations (including
Garter King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. ...
,
Lord Lyon King of Arms The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants ...
, and the
Deputy Chief Herald of Canada Chief Herald of Canada is the title held by the head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The Chief Herald of Canada directs the operations of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and makes the grants of arms. There are exceptions to this, such as certa ...
).


Patrons

Patrons of the society since 1957: *
Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979) was a British naval officer, colonial administrator and close relative of the British royal family. Mountbatten, who was of German ...
KG GCB OM
GCSI The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes: # Knight Grand Commander (:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, GCSI) # ...
GCIE The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria on 1 January 1878. The Order includes members of three classes: #Knight Grand Commander ( GCIE) #Knight Commander ( KCIE) #Companion ( CIE) No ap ...
GCVO DSO ADC PC FRS, 1957–1979. *Archbishop
Bruno Heim Bruno Bernard Heim (5 March 1911 – 18 March 2003) was the Vatican's first Apostolic Nuncio to Britain and was one of the most prominent armorists of twentieth century ecclesiastical heraldry. He published five books on heraldry and was respon ...
, ( Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Great Britain 1982–1985), 1980–2003. * Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk GCVO DL,
Earl Marshal Earl marshal (alternatively marschal or marischal) is a hereditary royal officeholder and chivalric title under the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, sovereign of the United Kingdom used in England (then, following the Act of Union 1800, in the U ...
and Hereditary Marshal of England, 2003–present. Sir Arthur Cochrane (
Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of Engla ...
) was Patron of the original Heraldic and Genealogical Societies until his death in 1954. The position was still vacant when the amalgamation took place. The Cambridge University Society of Genealogists had had a president in the person of the late
Earl Mountbatten of Burma Earl Mountbatten of Burma is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 28 October 1947 for Rear Admiral Louis Mountbatten, 1st Viscount Mountbatten of Burma. The letters patent creating the title specified the following r ...
, a keen
genealogist Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kins ...
. Therefore,
Lord Mountbatten Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979) was a British naval officer, colonial administrator and close relative of the British royal family. Mountbatten, who was of German ...
was invited to be Patron of the new (1957) society, a post which he held until his assassination in 1979.
Lord Mountbatten Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979) was a British naval officer, colonial administrator and close relative of the British royal family. Mountbatten, who was of German ...
was succeeded as Patron by Archbishop
Bruno Heim Bruno Bernard Heim (5 March 1911 – 18 March 2003) was the Vatican's first Apostolic Nuncio to Britain and was one of the most prominent armorists of twentieth century ecclesiastical heraldry. He published five books on heraldry and was respon ...
, a leading authority on the
heraldry Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, rank and pedigree. Armory, the best-known bran ...
of the
Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
who designed armorial bearings for several Popes. Heim donated a copy of a number of his own publications to the society. After his death he was followed by the
Duke of Norfolk Duke of Norfolk is a title in the peerage of England. The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the title refers to the county of Norfolk. The current duke is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk. The dukes ...
,
Earl Marshal Earl marshal (alternatively marschal or marischal) is a hereditary royal officeholder and chivalric title under the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, sovereign of the United Kingdom used in England (then, following the Act of Union 1800, in the U ...
and Hereditary Marshal of England.


Past speakers and guests

The society is primarily a discussion group. Notable past speakers have included: * Sir Alexander Colin Cole,
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. T ...
, 1978–1992. * Michael Maclagan,
Richmond Herald Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms of the College of Arms in England. From 1421 to 1485, Richmond was a herald to John, Duke of Bedford, George, Duke of Clarence, and Henry, Earl of Richmond, all of whom held the Honour ( ...
, 1980–89, and Lord Mayor of Oxford, 1970–71. * Sir Conrad Marshall John Fisher Swan,
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. T ...
1992–5. *
Wilfrid Scott-Giles Charles Wilfrid (or Wilfred) Scott-Giles (24 October 1893 – 1982) was an English writer on heraldry and an officer of arms, who served as Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary. Life Charles Wilfrid Giles was born in Southampton on 24 October 1893, ...
, Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary and heraldic writer *
John Brooke-Little John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little (6 April 1927 – 13 February 2006) was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of He ...
,
Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of Engla ...
, 1995–7, and founders of
the Heraldry Society The Heraldry Society is a British organization that is devoted to studying and promoting heraldry and related subjects. In 1947, a twenty-year-old John Brooke-Little founded the Society of Heraldic Antiquaries. This name was changed to The He ...
. * Hubert Chesshyre,
Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of Engla ...
, 1997–2010. *
Jonathan Riley-Smith Jonathan Simon Christopher Riley-Smith (27 June 1938 – 13 September 2016) was a historian of the Crusades, and, between 1994 and 2005, Dixie Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Cambridge. He was a Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. P ...
,
Dixie Professor of Ecclesiastical History The Dixie Professorship of Ecclesiastical History is one of the senior professorships in history at the University of Cambridge. Lord Mayor of London in the 16th century, Sir Wolstan Dixie, left funds to found both scholarships and fellowships at ...
, 1994–2011. *
Cecil Humphery-Smith Cecil Raymond Julian Humphery-Smith (29 October 1928 – 12 January 2021) was a British genealogist and heraldist. Early life Cecil Humphery-Smith was born on 29 October 1928 to Frederick Humphery-Smith of Burgess Hill, West Sussex, a company ...
, founder of the
Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies The United Kingdom's Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS) was founded in 1961 at Canterbury, Kent (its current location) by Cecil Humphery-Smith. Its library was created by donations from Humphery-Smith, Aylmer Buesst and others. ...
* Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones, Garter King, 1995–2010. *
Rodney Dennys Rodney Onslow Dennys, (1911 – 13 August 1993) was a British foreign service operative and long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. During World War II he served in the Intelligence Corps of the British Army. Caree ...
,
Somerset Herald Somerset Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. In the year 1448 Somerset Herald is known to have served the Duke of Somerset, but by the time of the coronation of King Henry VII in 1485 his successor a ...
, 196–82,
High Sheriff of East Sussex The High Sheriff of East Sussex is a current title which has existed since 1974; the holder is changed annually every March. For around 1,000 years the county of Sussex was covered by a single High Sheriff of Sussex but after the Local Government ...
, 1983–4. *
Bobby Milburn Robert Leslie Pollington "Bobby" Milburn FSA (28 July 1907 – 14 February 2000) was an Anglican priest in the 20th century. Milburn was educated at Oundle School and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and ordained in 1935. Between then and ...
, Anglican priest, successively
Dean of Worcester The Dean of Worcester is the head of the Chapter of Worcester Cathedral in Worcester, England. The current dean is Peter Atkinson, who lives at The Deanery, College Green, Worcester. Crockford's on-line accessed by subscription Tuesday 11 June ...
and
Master of the Temple The Temple Church is a Royal peculiar church in the City of London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames, built by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters. It was consecrated on 10 February 1185 by Patriarch Heraclius of J ...
. *
John George John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...
, Officer of Arms in the
Court of the Lord Lyon The Court of the Lord Lyon (the Lyon Court) is a standing court of law, based in New Register House in Edinburgh, which regulates heraldry in Scotland. The Lyon Court maintains the register of grants of arms, known as the Public Register of All ...
. *
Sedley Andrus Francis Sedley Andrus LVO (26 February 1915 – 9 November 2009) was a long-serving English officer of arms who was Beaumont Herald of Arms Extraordinary. As such, he was a Royal officer of arms, though not a member of the College of Arms in Lon ...
,
Lancaster Herald Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The title of Lancaster Herald first occurs in 1347 at Calais, and to begin with this officer was a servant to the noble house of Lancaster. A ...
, 1972–82. *
Patric Dickinson Patric Thomas Dickinson (26 December 1914 – 28 January 1994) was a British poet, translator from the Greek and Latin classics, and playwright. He also worked for the BBC, from 1942 to 1948. His verse play ''Theseus and the Minotaur'' was broad ...
, Clarenceux King, 2010–present. * Sir Henry Paston-Bedingfeld, 10th Baronet,
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is the Provincial King of Arms at the College of Heralds 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 t ...
, 2010–14, and Master of the
Worshipful Company of Scriveners The Worshipful Company of Scriveners is one of the 110 livery companies of the City of London. The Scriveners Company was originally known as the ''Mysterie of the Writers of the Court Letter'' and, since its incorporation, as ''Master Wardens ...
, 2012–3. * Thomas Woodcock, Garter King, 2010–present. * Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia *
Prince Michael of Kent Prince Michael of Kent, (Michael George Charles Franklin; born 4 July 1942) is a member of the British royal family, who is 51st in the line of succession to the British throne as of September 2022. Queen Elizabeth II and Michael were firs ...
* Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingight,
Lord Lyon King of Arms The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants ...
, 1981–2001. *
Timothy Duke Timothy Hugh Stewart Duke, FSA (born 12 June 1953)"Duke, Timothy Hugh Stewart"
...
, Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, 2014–present. *
Marjorie Chibnall Marjorie McCallum Chibnall (27 September 1915 – 23 June 2012) was an English historian, medievalist and Latin translator. She edited the ''Historia Ecclesiastica'' by Orderic Vitalis, with whom she shared the same birthplace of Atcham in Shr ...
, mediaeval historian *
Alastair Lorne Campbell of Airds Alastair Lorne Campbell of Airds (1937-2022) is a former Scottish officer of arms and author. Campbell of Airds was appointed Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary in 1987. In 2008 he was appointed Islay Herald Extraordinary. As an active member ...
, Unicorn Pursuivant, 1986–2008. * Maurice Couve de Murville,
Archbishop of Birmingham The Archbishop of Birmingham heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham in England. As such he is the metropolitan archbishop of the Province of Birmingham. The archdiocese covers an area of and spans of the counties of Oxfordshire, S ...
, 1982–1999. *
Major-General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
Alastair Bruce of Crionaich OBE VR DL, Governor of Edinburgh Castle (2019-present), Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary. * Sir John Hamilton Baker, QC,
Downing Professor of the Laws of England The Downing Professorship of the Laws of England is one of the senior professorships in law at the University of Cambridge. The chair was founded in 1800 as a bequest of Sir George Downing, the founder of Downing College, Cambridge. The profes ...
, 1998–2011. *
Robert Shirley, 13th Earl Ferrers Robert Washington Shirley, 13th Earl Ferrers, (8 June 1929 – 13 November 2012), styled Viscount Tamworth between 1937 and 1954, was a British Conservative politician and member of the House of Lords as one of the remaining hereditary peers. H ...
* The Lord Lingfield, educationalist *
Clive Cheesman Clive Edwin Alexander Cheesman (born 1968) is a British officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. He is currently Richmond Herald, having been appointed to that position on 7 April 2010. Cheesman was formerly a curator in the Department ...
,
Richmond Herald Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms of the College of Arms in England. From 1421 to 1485, Richmond was a herald to John, Duke of Bedford, George, Duke of Clarence, and Henry, Earl of Richmond, all of whom held the Honour ( ...
, 2010–present. *
David Sellar William David Hamilton Sellar, MVO, FRHistS, FSA (Scot), FRHSC (Hon) (27 February 1941 – 26 January 2019) served as Lord Lyon King of Arms from 2008 to 2014. He was married, with three adult sons and a step-son. Sellar read history at Oxf ...
, Lord Lyon King of Arms, 2008–14. *Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie of
Ethiopia Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...
and the House of Solomon. *Prince Idris bin Abdullah al-Senussi of
Libya Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Suda ...
and the House of
Senussi The Senusiyya, Senussi or Sanusi ( ar, السنوسية ''as-Sanūssiyya'') are a Muslim political-religious tariqa (Sufi order) and clan in colonial Libya and the Sudan region founded in Mecca in 1837 by the Grand Senussi ( ar, السنوسي ...
. *
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky (born Szalay) is a Hungarian diplomat and politician who was the ambassador of Hungary to the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2022. He handed over his credentials to queen Elizabeth II on 15 November 2016 in Buckingham ...
, former Hungarian Ambassador to the Court of St James's, 2016–2020, Minister of Defence (Hungary), 2022-present. * Sophie Katsarava MBE, Georgian Ambassador to the Court of St James's, 2020–present. * Joseph Morrow CBE,
Lord Lyon King of Arms The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants ...
, 2014–present. *
Balthazar Napoleon IV de Bourbon Balthazar Napoleon IV de Bourbon (born 29 July 1958) claims to be the senior descendant of the House of Bourbon and thus the pretender to the throne of the defunct Kingdom of France. His family, the "Bourbons of India", claim to be legitimate de ...
of the House of Bourbon-Bhopal. *
The Hon. ''The Honourable'' (British English) or ''The Honorable'' (American English; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific style that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certain ...
Richard Cubitt,
heir apparent An heir apparent, often shortened to heir, is a person who is first in an order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person; a person who is first in the order of succession but can be displaced by the b ...
to Mark Cubitt, 5th Baron Ashcombe. *Graham Bartram, Chief Vexillologist and Trustee of the UK
Flag Institute The Flag Institute is a UK membership organisation headquartered in Kingston upon Hull, England, concerned with researching and promoting the use and design of flags. It documents flags in the UK and internationally, maintains a UK Flag Regi ...
. *
The Hon. ''The Honourable'' (British English) or ''The Honorable'' (American English; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific style that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certain ...
Dr Philip Sidney,
heir apparent An heir apparent, often shortened to heir, is a person who is first in an order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person; a person who is first in the order of succession but can be displaced by the b ...
to Philip Sidney, 2nd Viscount De L'Isle. *
Simon Isaacs, 4th Marquess of Reading Simon Rufus Isaacs, 4th Marquess of Reading (born 18 May 1942), is a British peer, banker and philanthropist. Biography Early life Simon Rufus Isaacs was born on 18 May 1942. His father was Michael Isaacs, 3rd Marquess of Reading (1916� ...
. *Liam Devlin,
Rothesay Herald Rothesay Herald of Arms in Ordinary is a current Scottish herald of arms in Ordinary of the Court of the Lord Lyon. The office was created after 1398 when the dukedom of Rothesay was conferred on David, eldest son of King Robert III, on 28 April ...
, 2021–present. * Prince Juan de Bagration-Mukhrani of
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
and the
House of Mukhrani The House of Mukhrani is a Georgian princely family that is a branch of the former royal dynasty of Bagrationi, from which it sprang early in the 16th century, receiving in appanage the domain of Mukhrani, in the Kingdom of Kartli. The family � ...
. *
Elizabeth Roads Elizabeth Ann Roads, (née Bruce; born 1951) is a former Scottish herald, an office from which she retired in 2021; in July 2018 she retired as Lyon Clerk at the Court of the Lord Lyon Personal life and education Elizabeth Roads is the daug ...
LVO The Royal Victorian Order (french: Ordre royal de Victoria) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, or ...
, Secretary of the
Order of the Thistle The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland, who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order. The O ...
. *James Terzian
CStJ The Order of St John, short for Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (french: l'ordre très vénérable de l'Hôpital de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem) and also known as St John International, is a British royal order of c ...
, Registrar and Genealogist of the
Venerable Order of St John The Order of St John, short for Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (french: l'ordre très vénérable de l'Hôpital de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem) and also known as St John International, is a British British monarchy ...
(Priory in the USA). * Professor Kate Williams
FRHistS The Royal Historical Society, founded in 1868, is a learned society of the United Kingdom which advances scholarly studies of history. Origins The society was founded and received its royal charter in 1868. Until 1872 it was known as the Histori ...


Publications

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the society transcribed the registers of the
Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire (abbreviated Cambs.) is a county in the East of England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the north-east, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to t ...
parishes of
Shepreth Shepreth is a small village and civil parish in South Cambridgeshire, lying halfway between Cambridge and Royston. History The parish of Shepreth is roughly-rectangular and covers 1318 acres. It is bounded by the River Rhee to the north, which se ...
and
Westley Waterless Westley Waterless is a small village and civil parish in East Cambridgeshire, England, 5 miles south west of Newmarket. History The parish of Westley Waterless is long and thin covering 1150 acres between the ancient Icknield Way at its north ...
and published a small number of copies. Its most ambitious project, however, was to produce ''The Cambridge Armorial'' showing the arms of all the corporate
armiger In heraldry, an armiger is a person entitled to use a heraldic achievement (e.g., bear arms, an "armour-bearer") either by hereditary right, grant, matriculation, or assumption of arms. Such a person is said to be armigerous. A family or a cl ...
s in Cambridge (including town, university, colleges, theological colleges and schools) with blazons and brief histories of each. Although begun in 1966, it was to be nineteen years before it was published through the efforts of
Wilfrid Scott-Giles Charles Wilfrid (or Wilfred) Scott-Giles (24 October 1893 – 1982) was an English writer on heraldry and an officer of arms, who served as Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary. Life Charles Wilfrid Giles was born in Southampton on 24 October 1893, ...
, Heather Peak,
Cecil Humphery-Smith Cecil Raymond Julian Humphery-Smith (29 October 1928 – 12 January 2021) was a British genealogist and heraldist. Early life Cecil Humphery-Smith was born on 29 October 1928 to Frederick Humphery-Smith of Burgess Hill, West Sussex, a company ...
and Dr Gordon H Wright. In 1995 the society launched a magazine, called the ''Escutcheon'', which appears each term, edited by Derek Palgrave. It is now edited by Terence Trelawny-Gower.


Presidents

The following people have held the office of president of the society:


The Mountbatten Commemorative Lecture

Following the
Assassination of Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, a relative of the British royal family, was assassinated on 27 August 1979 by Thomas McMahon, an Irish republican and volunteer for the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). McMahon placed ...
, the society wished to honour its late Patron. With the permission of his elder daughter, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, the society inaugurated the Mountbatten Commemorative Lecture. This remains the most important meeting of the year and the lecture has frequently been given by senior members of the
College of Arms The College of Arms, or Heralds' College, is a royal corporation consisting of professional officers of arms, with jurisdiction over England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Commonwealth realms. The heralds are appointed by the British Sover ...
which have included five successive Garter Kings of Arms (as well as two Lord Lyon Kings of Arms). In 1994, the society was greatly honoured when the Lecture was given by (as he now is)
Prince Michael of Kent Prince Michael of Kent, (Michael George Charles Franklin; born 4 July 1942) is a member of the British royal family, who is 51st in the line of succession to the British throne as of September 2022. Queen Elizabeth II and Michael were firs ...
. The lecture for the year 1984–1985 was concerned with the genealogy of
Lord Mountbatten Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979) was a British naval officer, colonial administrator and close relative of the British royal family. Mountbatten, who was of German ...
himself and was delivered in the presence of
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar, (Edward Antony Richard Louis; born 10 March 1964) is a member of the British royal family. He is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the youngest sibl ...
who was at that time an undergraduate at Jesus College. *2022 "The Heraldry and History of Georgia" Prince Juan de Bagration-Mukhrani of
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
and the
House of Mukhrani The House of Mukhrani is a Georgian princely family that is a branch of the former royal dynasty of Bagrationi, from which it sprang early in the 16th century, receiving in appanage the domain of Mukhrani, in the Kingdom of Kartli. The family � ...
*2021 "The Court of the Lord Lyon" Joseph Morrow CBE,
Lord Lyon King of Arms The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants ...
*2020 "The Genealogy of Monsignor Alfred Newman Gilbey" Ronald Creighton-Jobe *2019 "The Graces of Cambridge Colleges and Related Dining Customs" J. Cable *2018 "The Monarchical Republic of Oliver Cromwell" Dr David Smith *2017 "The Heraldry of Eton College" David Broomfield, Membership Secretary *2016 "Out of the Blue: Oxford Academic Dress in the Twentieth Century" A.J.P. North *2015 "Norroy's Reminiscences " Sir
Henry Paston-Bedingfeld Sir Henry Edgar Paston-Bedingfeld, 10th Baronet (born 7 December 1943) is a British baronet and retired officer of arms. Family and career Paston-Bedingfeld is the only son of Sir Edmund Paston-Bedingfeld, 9th Baronet of Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk ...
Bt.,
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is the Provincial King of Arms at the College of Heralds 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 t ...
*2014 "The College of Arms in the Second World War"
Peter O'Donoghue (officer of arms) Michael Peter Desmond O'Donoghue (born 1971) is a British officer of arms who currently serves as York Herald of Arms in Ordinary at the College of Arms in London. He was appointed to the office on 31 May 2012, having served as Bluemantle Pur ...
,
York Herald York Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms. The first York Herald is believed to have been an officer to Edmund of Langley, Duke of York around the year 1385, but the first completely reliable reference to such a ...
*2013 "Heraldry and Ceremonial in the Holy Roman Empire" Dr B.J.G.A. Kress, Secretary 2003–2006, The Warburg Institute *2012 Title to be announced Sir Thomas Woodcock,
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. T ...
*2011 "Heraldry of York Minster" Dr P.A. Fox, President 1984–1985 *2010 "The Role of the Lord Lyon"
David Sellar William David Hamilton Sellar, MVO, FRHistS, FSA (Scot), FRHSC (Hon) (27 February 1941 – 26 January 2019) served as Lord Lyon King of Arms from 2008 to 2014. He was married, with three adult sons and a step-son. Sellar read history at Oxf ...
,
Lord Lyon King of Arms The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants ...
*2009 "‘Les Grandes d'Espagne ne danseront pas:’ Dukes, ducal lookalikes and the dilemmata of rank in Ancien Régime France" Dr Leonhard Horowski *2008 "The Court of Chivalry in Stuart Heraldry" Dr Vittoria Feola, Université libre de Bruxelles *2007 "The College of Arms in the Eighteenth Century"
Peter O'Donoghue (officer of arms) Michael Peter Desmond O'Donoghue (born 1971) is a British officer of arms who currently serves as York Herald of Arms in Ordinary at the College of Arms in London. He was appointed to the office on 31 May 2012, having served as Bluemantle Pur ...
,
York Herald York Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms. The first York Herald is believed to have been an officer to Edmund of Langley, Duke of York around the year 1385, but the first completely reliable reference to such a ...
*2006 "Music in Heraldry" Sir
Henry Paston-Bedingfeld Sir Henry Edgar Paston-Bedingfeld, 10th Baronet (born 7 December 1943) is a British baronet and retired officer of arms. Family and career Paston-Bedingfeld is the only son of Sir Edmund Paston-Bedingfeld, 9th Baronet of Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk ...
Bt.,
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is the Provincial King of Arms at the College of Heralds 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 t ...
*2005 "The Society of Genealogists Library" Mrs Susan Gibbons *2004 "Early New Zealand Grants of Arms" David White,
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. T ...
*2003 "State Funeral of Sir Winston Churchill" Jack Darrah *2002 "Montgomery Heraldry" Dr E. Hugh Montgomery *2001 "Aspects of High State Heraldry"
John Brooke-Little John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little (6 April 1927 – 13 February 2006) was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of He ...
,
Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of Engla ...
*2000 "Earl Mountbatten and Genealogy"
Cecil Humphery-Smith Cecil Raymond Julian Humphery-Smith (29 October 1928 – 12 January 2021) was a British genealogist and heraldist. Early life Cecil Humphery-Smith was born on 29 October 1928 to Frederick Humphery-Smith of Burgess Hill, West Sussex, a company ...
*1999 "Back to the Future: European Heraldry after Communism" Dr T.A.H. Wilkinson, Leverhulme Trust Special Research Fellow, University of Durham *1998 "The Most Noble Order of the Garter" Hubert Chesshyre,
Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of Engla ...
*1997 "Nelson's Heraldry" David White,
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. T ...
*1996 "Military Heraldry" Col. I.S. Swinnerton, TD JP DL, President of the Federation of Family History Societies *1995 Sir
Conrad Swan Sir Conrad Marshall John Fisher Swan (13 May 1924–10 January 2019) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Having been first appointed to work at the College in 1962, he rose to the office of Garter Principal Kin ...
,
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. T ...
*1994 "Lord Mountbatten"
Prince Michael of Kent Prince Michael of Kent, (Michael George Charles Franklin; born 4 July 1942) is a member of the British royal family, who is 51st in the line of succession to the British throne as of September 2022. Queen Elizabeth II and Michael were firs ...
*1993 "The Bastards …"
John Brooke-Little John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little (6 April 1927 – 13 February 2006) was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of He ...
,
Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of Engla ...
*1992 "Polish Heraldry" Sir
Conrad Swan Sir Conrad Marshall John Fisher Swan (13 May 1924–10 January 2019) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Having been first appointed to work at the College in 1962, he rose to the office of Garter Principal Kin ...
,
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. T ...
*1991 "The Baronies of East Anglia" John Norton, Treasurer of Norfolk Heraldry Society *1990 "The Work of the College of Arms"
Sedley Andrus Francis Sedley Andrus LVO (26 February 1915 – 9 November 2009) was a long-serving English officer of arms who was Beaumont Herald of Arms Extraordinary. As such, he was a Royal officer of arms, though not a member of the College of Arms in Lon ...
,
Lancaster Herald Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The title of Lancaster Herald first occurs in 1347 at Calais, and to begin with this officer was a servant to the noble house of Lancaster. A ...
later
Beaumont Herald Extraordinary Beaumont Herald of Arms Extraordinary was an officer of arms extraordinary in England. Beaumont was a royal herald, but was not a member of the College of Arms. The office was created in 1982 and named after the barony of Beaumont, one of the sub ...
*1989 "Some Thoughts on the Origins of Heralds"
John Brooke-Little John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little (6 April 1927 – 13 February 2006) was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of He ...
,
Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of Engla ...
*1988 "Quinque saltus heraldici – Five Heraldic Leaps" Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones,
Garter King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. ...
*1987 "European Armorials and Rolls – Some Thoughts and Comparisons" C.J. Holyoake *1986 "Garter Knights and Officers of the Order of the Garter" Sir Colin Cole,
Garter Principal King of Arms The Garter Principal King of Arms (also Garter King of Arms or simply Garter) is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority with jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. T ...
*1985 "The Genealogy of the Earl Mountbatten of Burma"
Cecil Humphery-Smith Cecil Raymond Julian Humphery-Smith (29 October 1928 – 12 January 2021) was a British genealogist and heraldist. Early life Cecil Humphery-Smith was born on 29 October 1928 to Frederick Humphery-Smith of Burgess Hill, West Sussex, a company ...
*1984 "The Work and Records of the College of Arms"
John Brooke-Little John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little (6 April 1927 – 13 February 2006) was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of He ...
,
Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of Engla ...
*1983 "J.H. Round" Dr D. Stephenson *1982 "Arthurian Heraldry" Michael Maclagan,
Richmond Herald Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms of the College of Arms in England. From 1421 to 1485, Richmond was a herald to John, Duke of Bedford, George, Duke of Clarence, and Henry, Earl of Richmond, all of whom held the Honour ( ...
(also Slains Pursuivant of Arms) *1981 "The Work of the College of Arms"
Sedley Andrus Francis Sedley Andrus LVO (26 February 1915 – 9 November 2009) was a long-serving English officer of arms who was Beaumont Herald of Arms Extraordinary. As such, he was a Royal officer of arms, though not a member of the College of Arms in Lon ...
,
Lancaster Herald Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The title of Lancaster Herald first occurs in 1347 at Calais, and to begin with this officer was a servant to the noble house of Lancaster. A ...
later
Beaumont Herald Extraordinary Beaumont Herald of Arms Extraordinary was an officer of arms extraordinary in England. Beaumont was a royal herald, but was not a member of the College of Arms. The office was created in 1982 and named after the barony of Beaumont, one of the sub ...


Coat of arms


References


External links


The Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society
{{Authority control English heraldry 1957 establishments in England
Heraldry Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, rank and pedigree. Armory, the best-known bran ...
Student organizations established in 1957 Heraldic societies Family history societies in the United Kingdom