Welcome To The
Principality
of
Hutt
River
www.principality-hutt-river.com/rch
The Royal College of Heraldry
The Earl Marshal
The Principality of Hutt
River has a mature tradition of heraldry and chivalry based largely on
English and Scottish norms, codified over time, beginning with the Medieval
period. The responsibilities of the Earl Marshal of the PHR are enumerated
in the Peerages and Dignities Act of 1999 as amended 2004.* Duties of the
Earl Marshal include oversight of the RCH and of chivalric matters, in
general. He advises on matters of protocol and draws up the official
Order of Precedence* as well as a list of Approved Orders of Chivalry* with
respective ranks thereof. In addition to design of armorial bearings, the
Earl Marshal also oversees the design of decorations, awards, seals, flags
and regalia of state and of the four official Orders of Chivalry:
The Royal
Order,
The Serene Order of Leonard,
The Illustrious Order of Merit,
The
Order of Wisdom & Learning*
The current Earl Marshal of the Principality,
His Excellency, Lord
David P. Burkart, Earl of Stratford, KGSRO., KCST., FWS., FCIS.
History
Heralds have
traditionally provided valuable service to Kings, Princes and other
Sovereign Persons and the Principality of Hutt River is no exception. The
Royal College of Heraldry (RCH) was established soon after the successful
secession of 1970 and functions today under PHR law -- viz. The Peerage and
Dignities Act.
Duties
The traditional responsibilities of the RCH are
conducted under the warrant of the Earl Marshal and include advising
the Sovereign and Cabinet on matters related to heraldry; designing
and executing arms and other heraldic devices for the State and
Sovereign. With the advent of the new millennium, a proposal for
the RCH to offer certain services to citizens and dignitaries of
PHR as well as the public, at large, was approved. These are:
1) To review existing private or corporate arms submitted and, if suitable, to officially register such arms and provide applicants with a document of registration
2)
To devise and draw new arms on the British model, for worthy petitioners;
to issue
Patents of Arms governing these arms and to officially register
them
3) To maintain an official registry of the acts taken under 1) and 2)
4) To liaise with official and private heraldic bodies world- wide to the benefit of PHR
Authority,
Implementation
The Office of The Chief Herald conducts many of the functions of The
Royal College of Heraldry under authority delegated by the Earl Marshal.
The RCH has authority to draw up and set forth regulations and fees
governing all approved functions of the College, to issue Patents
of Arms under The Royal Seal and to establish and maintain an Official
Registry for patents and other documents. The Earl Marshal, assisted
by the Chief Herald, represent the Principality in all matters heraldic
and the Patents issued under the authority of the Earl Marshal have
the full force and effect of PHR law.
The Chief Herald serves for an indefinite term and he may be domiciled in any country. He is authorized to engage the services of qualified independent Heraldic Artists to assist in the performance of his duties. The current Chief Herald of The Royal College of Heraldry resides in Australia.
* The Earl Marshal will respond to serious inquiries by writers or researchers.Contact his office via e-mail and describe the information sought
E-MAIL the Earl Marshal
of Heraldry
(RCH)
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Principality
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