- John Writhe
John Writhe (d. 1504) was a long-serving English
officer of arms . He was probably the son of William Writhe, who represented the borough ofCricklade in the Parliament of 1450–51, and is most remembered for being the firstGarter King of Arms to preside over theCollege of Arms . Writhe is also notable for the contention that it was he who developed the system of heraldiccadency employed by English officers of arms to the present day.Heraldic career
It has been claimed that Writhe began his career as
Antelope Pursuivant orRouge Croix Pursuivant under Henry V, but this is doubtful. By February of 1474 he had been appointedFalcon Herald . On25 January 1477 Edward IV made himNorroy King of Arms and on6 July 1478 , he was promoted toGarter Principal King of Arms . Writhe officiated at Edward's funeral in April 1483 and at Richard III's coronation the following July. As Garter he also took part in the coronation of Henry VII who reappointed him on 13 February 1486 with back pay to the date of Bosworth.Writhe was the first Garter of the College of Arms, which had been incorporated in March of 1484. Contrary to popular belief, though, the College did not take its own
coat of arms from Writhe. As Falcon and Garter he was employed on numerous diplomatic missions toScotland and the continent, and at least once toIreland . An experienced armorist, Writhe collected and compiled many important armorial and genealogical manuscripts. In 1498 King Henry VII granted him and Roger Machado,Clarenceux King of Arms , a joint licence to make visitations.Personal life
Writhe may have lived in Red Cross Street, adjoining Barbican House in
London . After Writhe's death, his son Thomas styled him Sir John but there is no proof that he was everknight ed. His first marriage was to Barbara, daughter and heir of John Dunstanville. This union brought about the aforementioned Thomas (who was himself the father ofCharles Wriothesley ,Windsor Herald ); William,York Herald ; and two daughters, the elder of whom marriedJohn Mynne , another York Herald. Writhe died some time during May of 1504 and was buried in St Giles Cripplegate.ee also
*
Herald
*King of arms External links
* [http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk The College of Arms]
* [http://www.heraldica.org/topics/britain/heralds.htm Heraldic List of Officers of Arms]ources
*
John Anstis . "The Register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter". (London, 1724).
*Walter H Godfrey and SirAnthony Wagner , "The College of Arms, Queen Victoria Street: being the sixteenth and final monograph of the London Survey Committee". (London, 1963).
*Mark Noble, "A History of the College of Arms". (London, 1805).
*A.F. Sutton and P.W. Hammond. "The Coronation of Richard III: The Extant Documents". (New York, 1984).
*Sir Anthony Wagner. "Heralds of England: a History of the Office and College of Arms". (London, 1967).
*Sir Anthony Wagner. "A Catalogue of English Mediaeval Rolls of Arms. Harleian Society (London, 1950), 100.
* [http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/About/12.htm The College of Arms] - Explains credit for cadency system.
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