says Verstegan, is derived from the Saxon word Herehault, and by abbreviation Heral, which in that language signifies the champion of an army; and, growing to be a name of office, it was given to him who, in the army, had the special charge to denounce war, to challenge to battle and combat, to proclaim peace, and to execute martial messages. But the business of heralds with us is as follows, viz. To marshal, order, and conduct all royal cavalcades, ceremonies at coronations, royal marriages, installations, creations of dukes, marquises, earls, viceroys, barons, baronets, and dubbing of knights; embassies, funeral processions, declarations of war, proclamations of peace, &c.: To record and blazon the arms of the nobility and gentry; and to regulate any abuses therein through the English dominions, under the authority of the Earl Marshal, to whom they are subservient. The office of Windsor, Chester, Richmond, Somerset, York, and Lancaster heralds, is to be assistants to the kings at arms, in the different branches of their office; and they are superior to each other, according to creation, in the above order.

Heralds were formerly held in much greater esteem than they are at present; and were created and christened by the king, who, pouring a gold-cup of wine on their head, gave them the herald-name; but this is now done by the earl marshal. They could not arrive at the dignity of herald without having been seven years purifying; nor could they quit the office of herald, but to be made king at arms.

Richard III. was the first who formed them, in this kingdom, into a college; and afterwards great privileges were granted them by Edward VI. and Philip and Mary.

The origin of heralds is very ancient. Stentor is represented by Homer as herald of the Greeks, who had a voice louder than 50 men together. The Greeks called them ἀναγκής, and ἐπιστροφῆς; and the Romans, faciatus. The Romans had a college of heralds, appointed to decide whether a war were just or unjust; and to prevent its coming to open hostilities, till all means had been attempted for deciding the difference in a pacific way.