College of Arms Gates - City of London - London, UK.
N 51° 30.736 W 000° 05.926
30U E 701309 N 5710784
These stunning gates of distinction in the City of London, at the 'College of Arms' also known as 'Heralds College' were installed in 1956 to replace the gates requisitioned and removed in 1942 to assist in the War effort.
Waymark Code: WMF71N
Location: South Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/03/2012
Views: 5
In 1942 the Victorian cast iron gates and railings had been requisitioned and removed to assist in the war effort and their replacement in a manner worthy of the College for some time presented an insoluble problem. At the time of the demolition of Goodrich Court, Herefordshire, in 1949,Mr Bert Crowther of Isleworth had purchased the fine gates and railings,which had apparently been prepared for Goodrich Court in the nineteenthcentury. The property belonged in 1828 to Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, thefirst builder of the fabric, with Edward Blore as his architect. It was inheritedby his second cousin, Colonel Augustus Meyrick, who sold it in 1870 to George Moffat, who enlarged it greatly, building the chief hall, with George Frederick Bodley as architect, who probably added the gates. His son,Harold Charles Moffat, made over the property during his lifetime to his daughter Dorothy, who married G. R. Trafford. Their son confirms that the gates were made for his grandfather, but since there have been so many changes, it is doubtful whether they were manufactured at this time, although there is a record of the addition of the Moffat arms with the date 1889. Mr J. A. Frere, Bluemantle, saw these at Isleworth and formed the view that they would suit the needs of the College perfectly. This was mentioned by Mr Crowther to an American visitor, Mr Blevins Davis, who with great generosity presented them to the College. The arms on the gates have now been altered to those of the College of Arms and a new date (1956) has been added.
From: 'The College of Arms: History after 1688', Survey of London Monograph 16: College of Arms, Queen Victoria Street (1963), pp. 20-28. URL: (
visit link) Date accessed: 03 September 2012.
"The College of Arms or Herald's 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 Sovereign and are delegated authority to act on her behalf in all matters of heraldry, the granting of new coats of arms, genealogical research and the recording of pedigrees. Though a part of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom the College is self-financed, unsupported by any public funds.
Founded by royal charter in 1484 by King Richard III, the College is one of the few remaining official heraldic authorities in Europe. Within the United Kingdom, there are two such authorities, the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland and the College for the rest of the United Kingdom. The College has had its home in the City of London since its foundation, and has been at its present location on Queen Victoria Street since 1555. The College of Arms also undertakes and consults on the planning of many ceremonial occasions such as coronations, state funerals, the annual Garter Service and the State Opening of Parliament. Heralds of the College accompany the sovereign on many of these occasions.
The College comprises thirteen officers or heralds: three Kings of Arms, six Heralds of Arms and four Pursuivants of Arms. There are also seven officers extraordinary, who take part in ceremonial occasions but are not part of the College. The entire corporation is overseen by the Earl Marshal, a hereditary office held by the Duke of Norfolk, currently Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk". Text Source: (
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