Nationality British Predecessor Peter Gwynn-Jones Employer HM The Queen Residence London, United Kingdom | Years active 1978–present Role Officer of arms Occupation Genealogist Name Thomas Woodcock | |
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Born 20 May 1951 (age 73) ( 1951-05-20 ) Books Heraldry in Historic Houses of Great Britain Education | ||
Thomas Woodcock (born 20 May 1951) is the Garter Principal King of Arms.
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Personal
Woodcock was educated at Eton College. He went to University College, Durham, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then went to Darwin College, Cambridge where he received his LLB degree. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple. In 1998, Woodcock married Lucinda Harmsworth King.
College of Arms
He began his heraldic career in 1975 as a research assistant to Sir Anthony Wagner, Garter King of Arms. In 1978 he was appointed Rouge Croix Pursuivant. In 1982 he was promoted to Somerset Herald. He held this office until his appointment as Norroy and Ulster in 1997. Woodcock was appointed the Garter Principal King of Arms on 1 April 2010.
Honours
Woodcock was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 1996 Birthday Honours and was advanced to Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2011 Birthday Honours.
In December 2005 he was appointed a deputy lieutenant for the County of Lancashire, in which capacity he assists the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Shuttleworth, to represent Queen Elizabeth II in the county.