college of arms

variants or college of heralds

1

usually capitalized C&A&H

a

: a corporation in England dependent upon the crown and consisting of three kings of arms, six heralds, and four pursuivants under the earl marshal's headship who have retained from the middle ages certain of the ceremonial duties of heralds but whose principal responsibility in modern times is the designing, grant, and registration of armorial bearings

b

: the building occupied by this corporation

2

: an officially incorporated body of officers of arms of any nation

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