Heraldic tradition Gallo-British | Governing body [[]] | |
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Jurisdiction England, Wales and Northern Ireland (College of Arms) | ||
Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary (Herodr Arbennig Cymru in Welsh) is a current Officer of Arms Extraordinary under the Courts of England and Wales' jurisdiction. Wales is a Royal Herald, ie a member of the Royal Household, and whilst not being a member of chapter of the College of Arms, processes with the other heralds at ceremonial occasions. Wales Herald forms an integral part of the procession when the Queen officially opens a session of the National Assembly for Wales at Cardiff Bay.
There was formerly a Wales Herald in the late fourteenth century, but that office was short-lived. The post was re-established in 1963 as an Officer of Arms Extraordinary, its first appointee being Francis Jones.
The badge dates from 1967 and depicts a treasured medieval Welsh possession, the Croes Naid—a cross heavily gilded and jewelled and said to contain a fragment of the True Cross of Jesus Christ; it is blazoned Issuant from an open Royal Crown of the 13th century Or a representation of a Croes Naid also Or jewelled Proper.
The present Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary is Thomas Lloyd, OBE, DL, FSA, having succeeded Michael Siddons in 2010.