Wales Herald Extraordinary

Wales Herald Extraordinary

The heraldic badge of Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary
Heraldic tradition	Gallo-British
Jurisdiction	England, Wales and Northern Ireland (College of Arms)
Governing body	[[]]

Michael Siddons, former Wales Herald

Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary (Herodr Arbennig Cymru in Welsh) is a current Officer of Arms Extraordinary under the Courts of England and Wales' jurisdiction. Wales is a Royal Herald, ie a member of the Royal Household, and whilst not being a member of chapter of the College of Arms, processes with the other heralds at ceremonial occasions. Wales Herald forms an integral part of the procession when The Queen officially opens a session of the National Assembly for Wales at Cardiff Bay.

There was formerly a Wales Herald in the late fourteenth century, but that office was short-lived. The post was re-established in 1963 as an Officer of Arms Extraordinary, its first appointee being Francis Jones.

The badge dates from 1967 and depicts a treasured medieval Welsh possession, the Croes Naid—a cross heavily gilded and jewelled and said to contain a fragment of the True Cross of Jesus Christ; it is blazoned Issuant from an open Royal Crown of the 13th century Or a representation of a Croes Naid also Or jewelled Proper.

The present Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary is Thomas Lloyd, O.B.E., D.L., F.S.A., having succeeded Mr Michael Siddons in 2010.

Office holders

• - Francis Jones CVO, TD, DL, MA, FSA, KStJ (1963 to 1993);
• - Michael Siddons FSA, Hon DLitt (November 1994 to 30 June 2010);
• - Thomas Lloyd OBE, DL, FSA (30 June 2010 – present)

External links

• The College of Arms
• CUHGS Officer of Arms Index