Heraldic visitation

Heraldic Visitations were tours of inspection undertaken by Kings of Arms (or more often by junior officers of arms, acting as the Kings' deputies) in England, Wales and Ireland. Their purpose was to regulate and register the coats of arms of nobility and gentry and boroughs, and to record pedigrees. They took place from 1530 to 1688, and their records provide important source material for genealogists.

Visitations in England and Wales

Process of visitations

By the fifteenth century, the use and abuse of coats of arms was becoming widespread in England. One of the duties conferred on William Bruges, the first Garter Principal King of Arms was to survey and record the armorial bearings and pedigrees of those using coats of arms and correct irregularities. The officers of arms of England made occasional tours of various parts of the country to enquire about matters armorial during the fifteenth century.^[1] It was not until the sixteenth century that the process began in earnest.

The first provincial visitations were carried out under warrant granted by Henry VIII to Thomas Benolt, Clarenceux King of Arms dated 6 April 1530.^[2] He was commissioned to travel throughout his province and was given authority to enter all homes and churches. Upon entering these premises, he was authorized to "put down or otherwise deface at his discretion...those arms unlawfully used".^[3] He was also required to enquire into all those using the titles of knight, esquire, or gentleman and decided if they were being lawfully used.

By this writ, Henry VIII also compelled the sheriffs and mayors of each county or city visited by the officers of arms to give aid and assistance in gathering the needed information. When a King of Arms, or his deputy, visited a county, his presence was proclaimed by presenting the Royal Commission and the local gentry and nobility were required to provide evidence of their right to bear arms. The Sheriff would collect from the bailiff of each hundred within his county a list of all people using titles or arms. These were summoned to the visitation and the hope was that none would escape the enquiry. The people that were summoned were to bring their arms, and proof of their right to use the arms. Their ancestry would also be recorded. Where an official grant of arms had been made, this was recorded. Other ancient arms, many of which predated the establishment of the College of Arms, were confirmed. The officer would record the information clearly and make detailed note that could be entered into the records of the College of Arms when the party returned to London. These volumes now make up the Library of Visitation Books at the College, which contain a wealth of information about all armigerous people from the period.^[4] If the officers of arms were not presented with sufficient proof of the right to use a coat of arms, they were also empowered to deface monuments which bore these arms and to force persons bearing such arms to sign a disclaimer that they would cease using them.

The visitations were not popular with the landed gentry who were required to present proof of their gentility. Members of this class grew in power after the installation of William III in 1688, and further commissions to carry out visitations were not issued by William or his successors. This cessation of the visitations did not have much effect on those counties far removed from London. Over the period of visitations many of these counties were rarely visited. Those closer to London were more frequently subject to inspection. Also, there was never a systematic visitation of Wales. There were four visitations in the principality, and on 9 June 1551, Fulk ap Hywel, Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary was given a commission to visit all of Wales. This was not carried out, however, as he was degraded and executed for counterfeiting the seal of Clarenceux King of Arms. This is regrettable, since no visitation of all Wales was ever made by the officers of arms.^[5]

Surviving records

The original notebooks of the heralds during the visitations were retained by the College of Arms and have been used as the basis for other manuscript copies which have been published by various groups. The only definitive records of the visitations are difficult to examine as they form part of the library of the College of Arms. These published sources do provide a great amount of detail on the subject. Many have been published by the Harleian Society, some by county record societies, and a few have been printed privately. Many of the manuscripts on which these published copies are based can be found today in the British Library in London.

Lists of visitations

Visitations were conducted by or in the name of the two provincial Kings of Arms, Clarenceux and Norroy, within their respective provinces. In the following lists, the Deputies are the officers of arms who actually carried out the visitations. Where no Deputy is named, the visitation was conducted by the King of Arms in person.

Southern Province

The Southern Province, the jurisdiction of Clarenceux King of Arms, comprised that part of England south of the River Trent, i.e. the counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, and the City of London; and South Wales.^[6]

Year	County or area visited	Clarenceux King of Arms	Deputy or Deputies	Notes
1530	Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Staffordshire	Thomas Benolt
1530	London churches	Thomas Benolt	Thomas Hawley, Carlisle Herald
1531	Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall	Thomas Benolt
early 1530s	Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, Somerset, Isle of Wight, and London Companies	Thomas Benolt
early 1530s	Devon and Cornwall	Thomas Benolt
early 1530s	South Wales and Herefordshire	Thomas Benolt	William Fellow, Lancaster Herald
1558	Essex	William Harvey		Of uncertain status: perhaps not completed, or possibly not even begun.
1561	Suffolk	William Harvey
1563	Norfolk	William Harvey
1563	Warwickshire	William Harvey	Robert Cooke, Chester Herald
1563–4	Leicestershire	William Harvey	Robert Cooke, Chester Herald
1563–4	Lincolnshire	William Harvey
1564	Northamptonshire	William Harvey
1564	Huntingdonshire	William Harvey
1564	Devon	William Harvey
1565	Wiltshire	William Harvey
1565	Dorset	William Harvey
1566	Bedfordshire	William Harvey
1566	Buckinghamshire	William Harvey
1566	Oxfordshire	William Harvey	Robert Cooke, Chester Herald
1566	Berkshire	William Harvey	Robert Cooke, Chester Herald
1568	London	Robert Cooke
1569	Worcestershire	Robert Cooke
1569	Herefordshire	Robert Cooke
1569	Gloucestershire	Robert Cooke
1569	Shropshire	Robert Cooke
1570	Essex	Robert Cooke
1570	Sussex	Robert Cooke
1571–3	Hertfordshire	Robert Cooke
1571–3	Middlesex	Robert Cooke
1572–3	Surrey	Robert Cooke
1573	Cornwall	Robert Cooke
1573	Somerset	Robert Cooke
1574	Kent	Robert Cooke
1574–5	Oxfordshire	Robert Cooke	Richard Lee, Portcullis Pursuivant
1574–5	Buckinghamshire	Robert Cooke	Richard Lee, Portcullis Pursuivant
1574	Oxford University	Robert Cooke	Richard Lee, Portcullis Pursuivant
1575	Cambridgeshire	Robert Cooke
1575–6	Hampshire	Robert Cooke
1577	Suffolk	Robert Cooke
1584	Shropshire	Robert Cooke	Richard Lee, Portcullis Pursuivant
1589	Norfolk	Robert Cooke
1591	Somerset	Robert Cooke	Ralph Brooke, Rouge Croix Pursuivant
1591–2	Kent	Robert Cooke
1592	Lincolnshire	Robert Cooke	Richard Lee, Richmond Herald
1612	Suffolk	William Camden	John Raven, Richmond Herald
1613	Norfolk	William Camden	John Raven, Richmond Herald
1613	Huntingdonshire	William Camden	Nicholas Charles, Lancaster Herald
1614	Essex	William Camden	John Raven, Richmond Herald
1618–19	Northamptonshire and Rutland	William Camden	Augustine Vincent, Rouge Rose Pursuivant Extraordinary
1619	Warwickshire	William Camden	Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant, and Augustine Vincent, Rouge Rose Pursuivant Extraordinary
1619	Leicestershire	William Camden	Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant, and Augustine Vincent, Rouge Rose Pursuivant Extraordinary
1619	Cambridgeshire	William Camden	Henry St George, Richmond Herald
1619	Kent	William Camden	John Philipot, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1620	Devon	William Camden	Henry St George, Richmond Herald, and Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant
1620	Cornwall	William Camden	Henry St George, Richmond Herald, and Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant
1622–3	Hampshire	William Camden	John Philipot, Somerset Herald
1623	Surrey	William Camden	Samuel Thompson, Windsor Herald, and Augustine Vincent, Rouge Croix Pursuivant
1623	Gloucestershire	William Camden	Henry Chitting, Chester Herald, and John Philipot, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1623	Berkshire	William Camden	Henry Chitting, Chester Herald, and John Philipot, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1623	Shropshire	William Camden	Robert Tresswell, Somerset Herald, and Augustine Vincent, Rouge Croix Pursuivant
1623	Wiltshire	William Camden	Henry St George, Richmond Herald, and Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant
1623	Dorset	William Camden	Henry St George, Richmond Herald, and Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant
1623	Somerset	William Camden	Henry St George, Richmond Herald, and Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant
1634	Hampshire	Sir Richard St George	John Philipot, Somerset Herald
1634	Essex	Sir Richard St George	George Owen, York Herald, and Henry Lilly, Rouge Rose Pursuivant Extraordinary
1634	Lincolnshire	Sir Richard St George	Henry Chitting, Chester Herald, and Thomas Thompson, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1633–5	London	Sir Richard St George	Sir Henry St George, Richmond Herald
1634	London Companies	Sir Richard St George
1634	Herefordshire	Sir Richard St George
1634	Buckinghamshire	Sir Richard St George	John Philipot, Somerset Herald, and William Ryley, Bluemantle Pursuivant
1633–4	Sussex	Sir Richard St George	John Philipot, Somerset Herald, and George Owen, York Herald
1634	Hertfordshire	Sir Richard St George
1634	Middlesex	Sir Richard St George
1634	Oxfordshire	Sir Richard St George	John Philipot, Somerset Herald, and William Ryley, Bluemantle Pursuivant
1634	Worcestershire	Sir Richard St George	George Owen, York Herald, and Henry Lilly, Rouge Rose Pursuivant Extraordinary
1634	Bedfordshire	Sir Richard St George	George Owen, York Herald, and Henry Lilly, Rouge Rose Pursuivant Extraordinary
1662–4	Shropshire	Sir Edward Bysshe	William Dugdale, Norroy King of Arms
1662–8	Surrey	Sir Edward Bysshe
1662-8	Sussex	Sir Edward Bysshe
1663	Middlesex	Sir Edward Bysshe	William Ryley, Lancaster Herald, and Henry Dethick, Rouge Croix Pursuivant
1663	Kent	Sir Edward Bysshe
1664	London	Sir Edward Bysshe	Francis Sandford, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant, and Thomas Holford, Portcullis Pursuivant
1664–6	Berkshire	Sir Edward Bysshe	Elias Ashmole, Windsor Herald
1664–8	Norfolk	Sir Edward Bysshe
1664–8	Essex	Sir Edward Bysshe
1664–8	Suffolk	Sir Edward Bysshe
1666	Lincolnshire	Sir Edward Bysshe
1669	Bedfordshire	Sir Edward Bysshe
1669	Hertfordshire	Sir Edward Bysshe
1669–75	Buckinghamshire	Sir Edward Bysshe
1668–75	Oxfordshire	Sir Edward Bysshe
1672	Somerset	Sir Edward Bysshe
1677	Wiltshire	Sir Edward Bysshe
1677	Dorset	Sir Edward Bysshe
1681–2	Northamptonshire	Sir Henry St George	Francis Burghill, Somerset Herald, Thomas May, Chester Herald, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1681–2	Rutland	Sir Henry St George	Francis Burghill, Somerset Herald, Thomas May, Chester Herald, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1681–3	Leicestershire	Sir Henry St George	Thomas May, Chester Herald, Henry Dethick, Richmond Herald, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1683	Warwickshire	Sir Henry St George	Thomas May, Chester Herald, Henry Dethick, Richmond Herald, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1682–3	Worcestershire	Sir Henry St George	Thomas May, Chester Herald, Henry Dethick, Richmond Herald, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1682–3	Gloucestershire	Sir Henry St George	Thomas May, Chester Herald, Henry Dethick, Richmond Herald, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1683	Herefordshire	Sir Henry St George	Henry Dethick, Richmond Herald, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1683	Monmouthshire	Sir Henry St George	Henry Dethick, Richmond Herald, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
1684	Cambridgeshire	Sir Henry St George
1684	Huntingdonshire	Sir Henry St George
1686	Hampshire	Sir Henry St George
1687–1700	London	Sir Henry St George

Northern Province

The Northern Province, the jurisdiction of Norroy King of Arms, comprised that part of England north of the River Trent, i.e. the counties of Cheshire, Cumberland, Derbyshire, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Westmorland and Yorkshire; and North Wales. The Trent ran through Staffordshire, and the county was therefore technically divided between the two provinces; but for the purposes of visitation it was generally treated (sometimes through a process of deputation) as falling under the jurisdiction of Norroy.^[7]

Year	County or area visited	Norroy King of Arms	Deputy or Deputies	Notes
1530	Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, and Lancashire	Thomas Tonge
1532	Lancashire and part of Cheshire	Thomas Tonge	William Fellow, Lancaster Herald
1552	Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland and Cumberland	William Harvey
1558	Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumberland and Cheshire	Lawrence Dalton		Conducted by Dalton in person, accompanied by William Colbarne, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant, probably his nephew. Of uncertain authority, as Dalton had not yet been formally created Norroy
1563	Yorkshire	William Flower
1566	Staffordshire	William Flower
1566	Cheshire	William Flower
1567	Lancashire	William Flower
1569	Derbyshire	William Flower	Robert Glover, Somerset Herald	Either conducted by Flower in person accompanied by Glover, or by Glover as Flower's deputy
1569	Nottinghamshire	William Flower	Robert Glover, Somerset Herald	Either conducted by Flower in person accompanied by Glover, or by Glover as Flower's deputy
1575	County Durham	William Flower	Robert Glover, Somerset Herald	Either conducted by Flower in person accompanied by Glover, or by Glover as Flower's deputy
1575	Yorkshire and Northumberland	William Flower	Robert Glover, Somerset Herald	Either conducted by Flower in person accompanied by Glover, or by Glover as Flower's deputy
1580	Cheshire	William Flower	Robert Glover, Somerset Herald	Either conducted by Flower in person accompanied by Glover, or by Glover as Flower's deputy
1583	Staffordshire	William Flower	Robert Glover, Somerset Herald	Either conducted by Flower in person accompanied by Glover, or by Glover as Flower's deputy
1584–5	Yorkshire	William Flower	Robert Glover, Somerset Herald	Either conducted by Flower in person accompanied by Glover, or by Glover as Flower's deputy
1611	Derbyshire	Sir Richard St George		Conducted by St George in person, accompanied by Nicholas Charles, Lancaster Herald, and Henry St George, Rouge Rose Pursuivant-Extraordinary (Sir Richard's son)
1612	Yorkshire	Sir Richard St George
1613	Lancashire	Sir Richard St George
1614	Cheshire	Sir Richard St George		Conducted by St George in person, accompanied by Henry St George, Bluemantle Pursuivant, his son
1614	Nottinghamshire	Sir Richard St George
1614	Staffordshire	Sir Richard St George
1615	County Durham	Sir Richard St George
1615	Northumberland	Sir Richard St George		Conducted by St George in person, accompanied by Henry St George, Bluemantle Pursuivant, his son
1634	Derbyshire	[Sir William le Neve]	Henry Chitting, Chester Herald, and Thomas Thompson, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant	Although undertaken during le Neve's kingship, this visitation was conducted under a joint commission granted in 1633 to Sir John Borough, Norroy 1623–33 and Garter King of Arms 1633–43, and Sir Richard St George, Clarenceux King of Arms 1623–35
1662–4	Derbyshire	William Dugdale
1662–4	Nottinghamshire	William Dugdale
1662–4	[Shropshire]	William Dugdale		Conducted by Dugdale as deputy to Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux, as the county lay within the Southern Province.
1663–4	Staffordshire	William Dugdale
1663–4	Cheshire	William Dugdale
1664–5	Westmorland	William Dugdale
1664–5	Cumberland	William Dugdale
1664–5	Lancashire	William Dugdale
1665–6	Yorkshire	William Dugdale
1666	County Durham	William Dugdale
1666	Northumberland	William Dugdale
1670	Flintshire	William Dugdale	Robert Chaloner, Lancaster Herald, and Francis Sandford, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant	Conducted under a deputation to visit North Wales, granted in 1670

Published editions

England

Bedfordshire

• Blaydes, F.A., ed. (1884). The Visitation of Bedfordshire, annis domini 1566, 1582, and 1634, made by William Harvey, esq, Clarencieulx King of Arms, Robert Cooke, esq, Clarencieulx King of Arms, and George Owen, esq, York Herald, as deputy for Sir Richard St George, Kt, Clarencieulx King of Arms; together with additional pedigrees, chiefly from Harleian MS 1531, and an appendix containing a list of Bedfordshire knights and gentry taken from Lansdowne MS 887. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 19. London. 

Berkshire

• Metcalfe, Walter C., ed. (1882). The Visitation of Berkshire, 1664–6; by Elias Ashmole, Windsor Herald, for Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux. Exeter: W. Pollard. 
• Rylands, W.H., ed. (1907). The Four Visitations of Berkshire made and taken by Thomas Benolte, Clarenceux, Anno 1532; by William Harvey, Clarenceux, Anno 1566; by Henry Chitting, Chester Herald, and John Philipott, Rouge Dragon, for William Camden, Clarenceux, Anno 1623; and by Elias Ashmole, Windsor Herald, for Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux, Anno 1665-66: Vol. I. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 56. London. 
• Rylands, W.H., ed. (1908). The Four Visitations of Berkshire made and taken by Thomas Benolte, Clarenceux, Anno 1532; by William Harvey, Clarenceux, Anno 1566; by Henry Chitting, Chester Herald, and John Philipott, Rouge Dragon, for William Camden, Clarenceux, Anno 1623; and by Elias Ashmole, Windsor Herald, for Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux, Anno 1665-66: Vol. II: additional pedigrees and notes. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 57. London. 

Buckinghamshire

• Metcalfe, W.C., ed. (1883). The Visitation of Buckinghamshire, in 1566, by William Harvey. Exeter: W. Pollard. 
• Rylands, W.H., ed. (1909). The Visitation of the County of Buckingham made in 1634 by John Philipott, esq., Somerset Herald, and William Ryley, Bluemantle Pursuivant, marshals and deputies to Sir Richard St George, knight, Clarenceux, and Sir John Borough, knight, Garter, who visited as Norroy by mutual agreement; including the church notes then taken; together with pedigrees from the Visitation made in 1566 by William Harvey, esq, Clarenceux, and some pedigrees from other sources. Being a transcript of MS Eng. Misc. C.17 in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, with additions. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 58. London. 

Cambridgeshire

• Clay, J.W., ed. (1897). The Visitation of Cambridge made in Anno 1575, continued and enlarged with the Visitation of the same county made by Henery St George, Richmond Herald, marshall and deputy to Willm. Camden, Clarenceulx, in Anno 1619, with many other descents added thereto. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 41. London. 

Cheshire

• Langton, William, ed. (1876). The Visitation of Lancashire and a part of Cheshire, made in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of King Henry the Eighth, A.D. 1533, by special commission of Thomas Benalt, Clarencieux: Part I. Chetham Society 98. Manchester: Chetham Society. 
• Langton, William, ed. (1882). The Visitation of Lancashire and a part of Cheshire, made in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of King Henry the Eighth, A.D. 1533, by special commission of Thomas Benalt, Clarencieux: Part II. Chetham Society 110. Manchester: Chetham Society. 
• Rylands, J.P., ed. (1882). The Visitation of Cheshire in the year 1580, made by Robert Glover, Somerset Herald, for William Flower, Norroy King of Arms, with numerous additions and continuations, including those from the visitation of Cheshire made in the year 1566, by the same herald; with an appendix, containing the visitation of a part of Cheshire in the 1533, made by William Fellows, Lancaster Herald, for Thomas Benolte, Clarenceux King of Arms, and a fragment of the visitation of the City of Chester in the year 1591, made by Thomas Chalenor, deputy to the Office of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 18. London. 
• Armytage, Sir George J.; Rylands, J.P., eds. (1909). Pedigrees made at the Visitiation of Cheshire, 1613, taken by Richard St George, esq., Norroy King of Arms, and Henry St George, gent., Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms; and some other contemporary pedigrees. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 59. London. 
• Adams, A., ed. (1941). Cheshire Visitation Pedigrees, 1663. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 93. London. 

Cornwall

• Vivian, J.L., ed. (1887). The Visitations of Cornwall: comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1530, 1573 & 1620; with additions by J.L. Vivian. Exeter: W. Pollard. 
• Vivian, J.L.; Drake, H.H., eds. (1874). The Visitation of the County of Cornwall in the year 1620. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 9. London.  (see also: Cornish heraldry)

Cumberland

• Fetherston, John, ed. (1872). The Visitation of the County of Cumberland in the year 1615, taken by Richard St George, Norroy King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 7. London. 
• Foster, Joseph, ed. (1891). Pedigrees Recorded at the Heralds' Visitations of the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland; made by Richard St George, Norroy, King of Arms in 1615, and by William Dugdale, Norroy, King of Arms in 1666. Carlisle: C. Thurman and Sons. 

Derbyshire

• Pedigrees contained in the Visitations of Derbyshire 1569 & 1611. Exeter: William Pollard. c. 1890. 
• The Visitation of Derbyshire: taken in 1662, and reviewed in 1663, by William Dugdale. London: Golding and Lawrence. 1879. 
• Squibb, G.D., ed. (1989). The Visitation of Derbyshire begun in 1662 and finished in 1664 made by William Dugdale. Harleian Society, new ser. 8. London. ISBN 095133350X. 
• Ireland, G.; Squibb, G.D., eds. (1987). Dugdale’s Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Visitation Papers. Harleian Society, new ser. 6. London. ISBN 0950020788. 

Devon

• Colby, F.T., ed. (1881). The Visitation of the County of Devon in the year 1564, with additions from the earlier Visitation of 1531. Exeter. 
• Colby, F.T., ed. (1872). The Visitation of the County of Devon in the year 1620. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 6. London. 
• Vivian, J.L., ed. (1895). The Visitation of the County of Devon: comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620. Exeter.  (see also: Devon heraldry)

Dorset

• Metcalfe, Walter C., ed. (1887). The Visitation of Dorsetshire, A.D. 1565, by William Harvey, Clarenceux King of Arms. Exeter: William Pollard & Co. 
• Rylands, J.P., ed. (1885). The Visitation of the County of Dorset, taken in the year 1623, by Henry St George, Richmond Herald, and Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant, marshals and deputies to William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms. Harleian Society 20. London. 
• Squibb, G.D., ed. (1977). The Visitation of Dorset, 1677, made by Sir Edward Bysshe, knight, Clarenceux King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 117. London. 

County Durham

• Foster, Joseph, ed. (1887). Pedigrees recorded at the Visitations of the County Palatine of Durham made by William Flower, Norroy King-of-Arms, in 1575, by Richard St George, Norroy King-of-Arms, in 1615, and by William Dugdale, Norroy King-of-Arms, in 1666. London. 

Essex

• Metcalfe, W.C., ed. (1878). The Visitations of Essex by Hawley, 1552; Hervy, 1558; Cooke, 1570; Raven, 1612; and Owen and Lilley, 1634; to which are added miscellaneous Essex pedigrees from various Harleian manuscripts, with an appendix containing Berry's Essex pedigrees, Part I. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 13. London. 
• Metcalfe, W.C., ed. (1879). The Visitations of Essex by Hawley, 1552; Hervy, 1558; Cooke, 1570; Raven, 1612; and Owen and Lilley, 1634; to which are added miscellaneous Essex pedigrees from various Harleian manuscripts, with an appendix containing Berry's Essex pedigrees, Part II. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 14. London. 
• Howard, J.J., ed. (1888). A Visitation of the County of Essex, begun AD 1664, finished AD 1668, by Sir Edward Bysshe, knight, Clarenceux King of Arms. London: Mitchell and Hughes. 

Gloucestershire

• Maclean, Sir John; Heane, W.C., eds. (1885). The Visitation of the County of Gloucester, taken in the year 1623, by Henry Chitty and John Phillipot as deputies to William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms; with pedigrees from the heralds’ visitation of 1569 and 1582-3, and sundry miscellaneous pedigrees. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 21. London. 
• Fitz-Roy Fenwick, T.; Metcalfe, Walter C., eds. (1884). The Visitation of the County of Gloucester, begun by Thomas May, Chester, and Gregory King, Rouge Dragon, in 1682, and finished by Henry Dethick, Richmond, and the said Rouge Dragon, 1683. Exeter: W. Pollard. 

Hampshire

• Rylands, W.H., ed. (1913). Pedigrees from the Visitation of Hampshire made by Thomas Benolt, Clarenceulx, Anno 1530; enlarged with the Visitation of the same county made by Robert Cooke, Clarenceulx, Anno 1575, both which are continued with the Visitation made by John Phillipott, Somersett (for William Camden, Clarenceux) in Anno 1622, most part then don and finished in Anno 1634: as collected by Richard Mundy in Harleian MS no. 1544. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 64. London. 
• Squibb, G.D., ed. (1991). The Visitation of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 1686 made by Sir Henry St George, Knight. Harleian Society, new ser. 10. London. ISBN 0951333526. 

Herefordshire

• Weaver, Frederic William, ed. (1886). The Visitation of Herefordshire made by Robert Cooke, Clarencieux, in 1569. Exeter: William Pollard. 
• Siddons, M.P., ed. (2002). The Visitation of Herefordshire 1634. Harleian Society, new ser. 15. London. ISBN 0954044312. 

Hertfordshire

• Metcalfe, W.C., ed. (1886). The Visitations of Hertfordshire, made by Robert Cooke, esq, Clarencieux, in 1572, and Sir Richard St George, Kt, Clarencieux, in 1634, with Hertfordshire pedigrees from Harleian MS 6147. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 22. London. 

Huntingdonshire

• Ellis, Sir Henry, ed. (1849). The Visitation of the County of Huntingdon, under the authority of William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms, by his deputy, Nicholas Charles, Lancaster Herald, A.D. 1613. Camden Society, 1st ser. 43. London: Camden Society. 
• Bedells, J.; Grant, J.; Woodcock, T., eds. (2000). The Visitation of the County of Huntingdon 1684 by Sir Henry St George. Harleian Society, new ser. 13 (2nd ed.). London. ISBN 0951333577. 

Kent

• Bannerman, W.B., ed. (1923). The Visitations of Kent: Part I: Taken in the years 1530-1 by Thomas Benolte, Clarenceux, and 1754 by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 74. London. 
• Bannerman, W.B., ed. (1924). The Visitations of Kent: Part II: Taken in the years 1574 and 1592 by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 75. London. 
• Hovenden R., ed. (1898). The Visitation of Kent, taken in the years 1619-1621 by John Philipot, Rouge Dragon, marshal and deputy to William Camden, Clarenceux. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 42. London. 
• Armytage, Sir George J., ed. (1906). A Visitation of the County of Kent, begun Anno Dni 1663, finished Anno Dni 1668. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 54. London. 

Lancashire

• Langton, William, ed. (1876). The Visitation of Lancashire and a part of Cheshire, made in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of King Henry the Eighth, A.D. 1533, by special commission of Thomas Benalt, Clarencieux: Part I. Chetham Society 98. Manchester: Chetham Society. 
• Langton, William, ed. (1882). The Visitation of Lancashire and a part of Cheshire, made in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of King Henry the Eighth, A.D. 1533, by special commission of Thomas Benalt, Clarencieux: Part II. Chetham Society 110. Manchester: Chetham Society. 
• Raines, F.R, ed. (1870). The Visitation of the County Palatine of Lancaster, made in the year 1567, by William Flower, Esq., Norroy King of Arms. Chetham Society 81. Manchester: Chetham Society. 
• Raines, F.R, ed. (1871). The Visitation of the County Palatine of Lancaster, made in the year 1613, by Richard St George, Esq., Norroy King of Arms. Chetham Society 82. Manchester: Chetham Society. 
• Raines, F.R, ed. (1872). The Visitation of the County Palatine of Lancaster, made in the year 1664–5, by Sir William Dugdale, Knight, Norroy King of Arms: Part I. Chetham Society 84. Manchester: Chetham Society. 
• Raines, F.R, ed. (1872). The Visitation of the County Palatine of Lancaster, made in the year 1664–5, by Sir William Dugdale, Knight, Norroy King of Arms: Part II. Chetham Society 85. Manchester: Chetham Society. 
• Raines, F.R, ed. (1873). The Visitation of the County Palatine of Lancaster, made in the year 1664–5, by Sir William Dugdale, Knight, Norroy King of Arms: Part III. Chetham Society 88. Manchester: Chetham Society. 

Leicestershire

• Fetherston, J., ed. (1870). The Visitation of the County of Leicester in the year 1619, taken by William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 2. London. 

Lincolnshire

• Metcalfe, Walter C., ed. (1881). The Visitation of the County of Lincoln in 1562–4. London: G. Bell & Sons. 
• Metcalfe, Walter C., ed. (1882). The Visitation of the County of Lincoln, 1592. London: G. Bell & Son. 
• Gibbons, A., ed. (1898). Notes on the Visitation of Lincolnshire, 1634. Lincoln: J. Williamson. 
• Green, Everard; Rylands, W. Harry, eds. (1917). The Visitation of the County of Lincoln made by Sir Edward Bysshe, Knight, Clarenceux King of Arms, in the Year of Our Lord 1666. Lincoln Record Society 8. Horncastle: Lincoln Record Society. 

London

• Wagner, A.R. (1956). "The Visitation of London 1530". Heralds and Heraldry in the Middle Ages (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 139–46. 
• Howard, J.J.; Armytage, G.J., eds. (1869). The Visitation of London in the year 1568, taken by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux King of Arms, and since augmented both with descents and arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 1. London. 
• Rawlins, S.R., ed. (1963). Visitation of London, 1568, with additional pedigrees, 1569-90, the arms of the city companies, and a London subsidy roll, 1589: from the transcripts prepared and annotated by the late H. Stanford London. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 109/110. London. 
• Howard, J.J.; Chester, J.L., eds. (1880). The Visitation of London, Anno Domini 1633, 1634 and 1635, made by Henry St George, Kt, Richmond Herald, and deputy marshall to Sir Richard St George, Kt, Clarencieux King of Armes: Vol. I. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 15. London. 
• Howard, J.J.; Chester, J.L., eds. (1883). The Visitation of London, Anno Domini 1633, 1634 and 1635, made by Henry St George, Kt, Richmond Herald, and deputy marshall to Sir Richard St George, Kt, Clarencieux King of Armes: Vol. II. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 17. London. 
• Whitmore, J.B.; Clarke, A.W.H, eds. (1940). London Visitation Pedigrees, 1664. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 92. London. 
• Wales, T.C.; Hartley, C.P., eds. (2004). The Visitation of London begun in 1687: Part 1. Harleian Society, new ser. 16. London. ISBN 0951333585. 
• Wales, T.C.; Hartley, C.P., eds. (2004). The Visitation of London begun in 1687: Part 2. Harleian Society, new ser. 17. London. ISBN 0951333593. 

Middlesex

• Foster, Joseph, ed. (1887). The Visitation of Middlesex, began in the year 1663, by William Ryley, Esq., Lancaster, and Henry Dethick, Rouge Croix, Marshalls and Deputies to Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarencieux: as recorded in the College of Arms (D. 17.). London. 

Norfolk

• Dashwood, G.H., ed. (1878). The Visitation of Norfolk in the year 1563, taken by William Harvey, Clarenceux King of Arms: Volume 1. Norwich. 
• Bulwer, Brigadier-General, ed. (1895). The Visitation of Norfolk in the year 1563, taken by William Harvey, Clarenceux King of Arms: Volume 2. Norwich. 
• Rye, W., ed. (1891). The Visitacion of Norffolk, made and taken by William Harvey, Clarencieux King of Arms, Anno 1563, enlarged with another Visitacion made by Clarenceux Cooke, with many other descents; as also the Visitation made by John Raven, Richmond, Anno 1613. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 32. London. 
• Clarke, A.W.H.; Campling, A., eds. (1933). The Visitation of Norfolk, Anno Domini 1664, made by Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux King of Arms: Vol. I: A-L. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 85. London. 
• Clarke, A.W.H.; Campling, A., eds. (1934). The Visitation of Norfolk, Anno Domini 1664, made by Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux King of Arms: Vol. II: M-Z. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 86. London. 

Northamptonshire

• Metcalfe, Walter C., ed. (1887). The Visitations of Northamptonshire made in 1564 and 1618-19, with Northamptonshire Pedigrees from various Harleian MSS. London: Mitchell and Hughes. 
• Longden, Henry Isham, ed. (1935). The Visitation of the County of Northampton in the year 1681. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 87. London. 

Northumberland

• Marshall, George W., ed. (1878). The Visitation of Northumberland in 1615. London: Mitchell and Hughes. 
• Foster, Joseph, ed. (1891). Pedigrees recorded at the Heralds' Visitations of the County of Northumberland, made by Richard St George, Norroy King of Arms in 1615, and by William Dugdale, Norroy King of Arms in 1666. Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Browne and Browne. 

Nottinghamshire

• Marshall, G.W., ed. (1871). The Visitations of the County of Nottingham in the years 1569 and 1614, with many other descents of the same county. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 4. London. 
• Train, K.S.S., ed. (1950). Nottinghamshire Visitation, 1662-1664. Thoroton Society Record Series 13. Nottingham: Thoroton Society. 
• Squibb, G.D., ed. (1986). The Visitation of Nottinghamshire begun in 1662 and finished in 1664 made by William Dugdale. Harleian Society, new ser. 5. London. ISBN 095002077X. 
• Ireland, G.; Squibb, G.D., eds. (1987). Dugdale’s Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Visitation Papers. Harleian Society, new ser. 6. London. ISBN 0950020788. 

Oxfordshire

• Turner, W.H., ed. (1871). The Visitations of the County of Oxford, taken in the years 1566, by William Harvey, Clarencieux; 1574 by Richard Lee, Portcullis; and in 1634 by John Philpott, Somerset, and William Ryly, Bluemantle, deputies of Sir John Borrough, Kt, Garter, and Richard St George, Kt, Clarencieux; together with the gatherings of Oxfordshire, collected by Richard Lee in 1574. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 5. London. 
• Squibb, G.D., ed. (1993). The Visitation of Oxfordshire, 1669 and 1675. Harleian Society, new ser. 12. London. ISBN 0951333542. 

Rutland

• Armytage, G.J., ed. (1870). The Visitation of the County of Rutland in the year 1618-19, taken by William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms, and other descents of families not in the visitation. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 3. London. 
• Rylands, W.H., ed. (1922). The Visitation of the County of Rutland begun by Fran. Burghill, Somerset, and Gregory King, Rougedragon, in Trinity Vacation 1681, carried on and finished by Tho. May, Chester Herald, and the said Rougedragon Pursuivt. in Hilary and Trinity Vacation 1682, by virtue of several deputacions from Sir Henry St George, Kt, Clarenceux King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 73. London. 

Shropshire

• Grazebrook, G.; Rylands, J.P., eds. (1889). The Visitation of Shropshire, taken in the year 1623 by Robert Tresswell, Somerset Herald, and Augustine Vincent, Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms, marshals and deputies to William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms; with additions from the pedigrees of Shropshire gentry taken by the heralds in the years 1569 and 1584, and other sources: Part I. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 28. London. 
• Grazebrook, G.; Rylands, J.P., eds. (1889). The Visitation of Shropshire, taken in the year 1623 by Robert Tresswell, Somerset Herald, and Augustine Vincent, Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms, marshals and deputies to William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms; with additions from the pedigrees of Shropshire gentry taken by the heralds in the years 1569 and 1584, and other sources: Part II. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 29. London. 

Somerset

• Weaver, Frederic William, ed. (1885). The Visitations of the County of Somerset, in the years 1531 and 1573, together with additional pedigrees, chiefly from the Visitation of 1591. Exeter: W. Pollard. 
• Colby, F.T., ed. (1876). The Visitation of the County of Somerset in the year 1623. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 11. London. 
• Squibb, G.D., ed. (1992). The Visitation of Somerset and the City of Bristol, 1672. Harleian Society, new ser. 11. London. ISBN 0951333534. 

Staffordshire

• Grazebrook, J. Sidney, ed. (1885). The Heraldic Visitations of Staffordshire, made by Sir Richard St George, Norroy, in 1614, and by Sir William Dugdale, Norroy, in the years 1663 and 1664. Collections for a History of Staffordshire 5 (2). London: William Salt Archaeological Society. 
• Armytage, Sir George J.; Rylands, W.H., eds. (1912). Staffordshire Pedigrees: based on the Visitation of that County made by William Dugdale, esquire, Norroy King of Arms, in the years 1663–1664, from the original manuscript written by Gregory King (successively Rouge Dragon and Lancaster Herald) during the years 1680 to 1700. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 63. London. 

Suffolk

• Metcalfe, Walter C., ed. (1882). The Visitations of Suffolk made by Hervey, Clarenceux, 1561, Cooke, Clarenceux, 1577, and Raven, Richmond Herald, 1612, with notes and an appendix of additional Suffolk Pedigrees. Exeter: W. Pollard. 
• Howard, Joseph Jackson, ed. (1866). The Visitation of Suffolke, made by William Hervey, Clarenceux King of Arms, 1561, with additions from family documents, original wills, Jermyn, Davy, and other MSS, &c.: Vol 1. Lowestoft & London. 
• Howard, Joseph Jackson, ed. (1868). The Visitation of Suffolke, made by William Hervey, Clarenceux King of Arms, 1561, with additions from family documents, original wills, Jermyn, Davy, and other MSS, &c.: Vol 2. Lowestoft & London. 
• Corder, J., ed. (1981). The Visitation of Suffolk 1561, made by William Hervy, Clarenceux King of Arms: Part 1. Harleian Society, new ser. 2. London. ISBN 0950020745. 
• Corder, J., ed. (1984). The Visitation of Suffolk 1561, made by William Hervy, Clarenceux King of Arms: Part 2. Harleian Society, new ser. 3. London. ISBN 0950020753. 
• Rylands, W.H., ed. (1910). A Visitation of the County of Suffolk, begun Anno Dni 1664 and finished Anno Dni 1668, by Sir Edward Bysshe, Kt, Clarenceux King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 61. London. 

Surrey

• Bannerman, W.B., ed. (1899). The Visitations of the County of Surrey made and taken in the years 1530 by Thomas Benolte, Clarenceux King of Arms; 1572 by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux King of Arms; and 1623 by Samuel Thompson, Windsor Herald, and Augustin Vincent, Rouge Croix Pursuivant, marshals and deputies to William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 43. London. 
• Armytage, Sir George J., ed. (1910). A Visitation of the County of Surrey, begun Anno Dni 1662, finished Anno Dni 1668. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 60. London. 

Sussex

• Bannerman, W. Bruce, ed. (1905). The Visitations of the County of Sussex made and taken in the years 1530 by Thomas Benolte, Clarenceux King of Arms; and 1633-4 by John Philipot, Somerset Herald, and George Owen, York Herald, for Sir John Burroughs, Garter, and Sir Richard St George, Clarenceux. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 53. London. 
• Hughes Clarke, A.W., ed. (1937). The Visitation of Sussex, Anno Domini 1662, made by Sir Edward Bysshe, Knt, Clarenceux King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 89. London. 

Warwickshire

• Fetherston, J., ed. (1877). The Visitation of the County of Warwick in the year 1619, taken by William Camden, Clarencieux King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 12. London. 
• Rylands, W.H., ed. (1911). The Visitation of the County of Warwick, begun by Thomas May, Chester, and Gregory King, Rouge-Dragon, in Hilary Vacacion 1682, reviewed by them in the Trinity Vacacion following, and finished by Henry Dethick, Richmond, and the said Rouge Dragon Pursuivant, in Trinity Vacation 1683, by virtue of several deputations from Sir Henry St George, Clarenceux King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 62. London. 

Westmorland

• Bridges, Charles, ed. (1853). The Heraldic Visitation of Westmoreland: made in the year 1615, by Sir Richard St George. London: J.G. Bell. 
• Foster, Joseph, ed. (1891). Pedigrees Recorded at the Heralds' Visitations of the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland; made by Richard St George, Norroy, King of Arms in 1615, and by William Dugdale, Norroy, King of Arms in 1666. Carlisle: C. Thurman and Sons. 

Wiltshire

• Marshall, George W., ed. (1882). The Visitation of Wiltshire, 1623. London: G. Bell & Sons. 
• Squibb, G.D., ed. (1954). Wiltshire Visitation Pedigrees, 1623, with additional pedigrees and arms collected by Thomas Lyte of Lyte’s Cary, Co. Somerset 1628. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 105/106. London. 

Worcestershire

• Phillimore, W.P.W., ed. (1888). The Visitation of the County of Worcester made in the year 1569, with other pedigrees relating to that county from Richard Mundy’s collection. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 27. London. 
• Butler, A.T., ed. (1938). The Visitation of Worcestershire, 1634. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 90. London. 

Yorkshire

• Norcliffe, Charles Best, ed. (1881). The Visitation of Yorkshire in the years 1563 and 1564, made by William Flower, esquire, Norroy King of Arms. Harleian Society, 1st ser. 16. London. 
• Foster, Joseph, ed. (1875). The Visitation of Yorkshire, made in the years 1584/5, by Robert Glover, Somerset Herald; to which is added the subsequent Visitation made in 1612, by Richard St George, Norroy King of Arms, with several additional pedigrees, including "The Arms taken out of Churches and Houses at Yorkshire Visitation, 1584/5", "Sir William Fayrfax' Booke of Arms," and other heraldic lists, with copious indices. London. 
• Davies, Robert, ed. (1859). The Visitation of the County of Yorke, begun in Ao Dni MDCLXV and finished Ao Dni MDCLXVI, by William Dugdale, Esq., Norroy King of Arms. Surtees Society 36. Durham: Surtees Society. 
• Clay, J.W., ed. (1899). Dugdale's Visitation of Yorkshire, with additions: Vol. 1. Exeter: W. Pollard & Co. 
• Clay, J.W., ed. (1907). Dugdale's Visitation of Yorkshire, with additions: Vol. 2. Exeter: W. Pollard & Co. 
• Clay, J.W., ed. (1917). Dugdale's Visitation of Yorkshire, with additions: Vol. 3. Exeter: W. Pollard & Co. 

Wales

• Siddons, M.P., ed. (1996). Visitations by the Heralds in Wales. Harleian Society, new ser. 14. London. ISBN 0951333569. 
• Meyrick, S.R., ed. (1846). Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches; between the years 1586 and 1613, under the authority of Clarencieux and Norroy, two Kings at Arms, by Lewis Dwnn, Deputy Herald at Arms. Llandovery: Society for the Publication of Ancient Welsh Manuscripts. 

Visitations in Ireland

Since the practices of Ulster King of Arms so closely followed those of the English College of Arms, it is hardly surprising that the Irish officers of arms undertook heraldic visitations in their province. The purpose behind these visitations was twofold: to prevent the assumption of arms by unqualified people, and to record the arms of the gentry that were unknown to Ulster office. The first visitation was held by Nicholas Narbon, the second Ulster King of Arms, in 1569. He was authorized to reform practices which were contrary to good armorial practice. He conducted six visitations (Dublin in 1568–1573, Drogheda and Ardee in 1570, Dublin in 1572, Swords in 1572, Cork in 1574, and Limerick in 1574). One of his successors, Daniel Molyneux had the commission renewed, and mounted several visitations. Although Molyneux's last visitation–of Wexford–was the last proper visitation, two other expeditions occurred after 1618 by subsequent Ulster Kings of Arms. The visitations were not very extensive. The officers would not often be found in the disturbed countryside. Thus the visitations are confined to areas under firm control of the Dublin administration.

Today, the original visitation and related manuscripts are in the custody of the Chief Herald of Ireland. Copies are also deposited at the College of Arms in London.

Visitations in Scotland

The 1672 Act of Parliament that created the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland gave Lord Lyon King of Arms the authority to visit any part of Scotland to execute his statutory duties. Such visits have been made in the past, however these visits are not organized information-gathering exercises in specific regions. Scottish heraldry, with its compulsory matriculations, is much more regulated and each generation must lodge an updated genealogy with Lyon Court in order to lawfully bear arms. Therefore the control of heraldry in Scotland is such that periodic inspections have never been necessary.

Notes

See also

• Court of the Lord Lyon
• King of Arms

External links

• Heraldic Visitations of Cheshire
• The Harleian Society
• Notes from the visitation of William Fellows, Lancaster Herald, at Carmarthen in 1530: Jones, Francis, The Carmarthenshire Historian, vol. 20, (1985) 65-71.
• Free Visitations online