The Herald 5
Following the death of an officer in the office of Heraldry his replacement typically came from the ranks of those below him. The Garter was the most senior in ranks of the Heralds, and when he died he would be replaced by one of the provincial kings. The provincial king that was chosen would be replaced in his position by one of the heralds and the herald in turn would be replaced by a pursuivant. The pursuivant was the lowest rung on the ladder and his replacement would be someone seeking an entry level position into the College of Heraldry. The College of Heraldry was under the leadership of the Earl Marshall and entry level officers were recommended to him and if the applicants were acceptable to the crown they would be duly appointed with letters patent.
There were only three positions available at the level of kings of arms so few officers ever attained these coveted positions. There was a dispute as to who would succeed Sir Gilbert Dethick as Garter when he passed away in 1584. Sir Gilbert DeThick was the author of the DeThick Garter Book which illustrated coats of arms of the Elizabeathen period. Robert Cooke, Clarceneaux had acted as Garter for 18 months and would have been expected to succeed, but the son of Sir Gilbert, William was appointed to the position instead. The offices of Heraldry were never hereditary but cases of nepotism occurred from time to time. William Camden was held in such high esteem as an antiquary that he entered the College in 1597 as Clarenceaux King of Arms (he was made Richmond Herald for one day for the sake of formality before his appointment as Clarenceaux). This caused some resentment among some of the other officers. Biographies of the Elizabethean period show some backgrounds herald's had before being appointed. Some of them had been retainers of either Leicester or Burleigh, which seems to reflect the influence these two had in procuring royal positions for their men. Others had been royal clerks or messengers. Some had been members of the painter-stainers company.
There were only three positions available at the level of kings of arms so few officers ever attained these coveted positions. There was a dispute as to who would succeed Sir Gilbert Dethick as Garter when he passed away in 1584. Sir Gilbert DeThick was the author of the DeThick Garter Book which illustrated coats of arms of the Elizabeathen period. Robert Cooke, Clarceneaux had acted as Garter for 18 months and would have been expected to succeed, but the son of Sir Gilbert, William was appointed to the position instead. The offices of Heraldry were never hereditary but cases of nepotism occurred from time to time. William Camden was held in such high esteem as an antiquary that he entered the College in 1597 as Clarenceaux King of Arms (he was made Richmond Herald for one day for the sake of formality before his appointment as Clarenceaux). This caused some resentment among some of the other officers. Biographies of the Elizabethean period show some backgrounds herald's had before being appointed. Some of them had been retainers of either Leicester or Burleigh, which seems to reflect the influence these two had in procuring royal positions for their men. Others had been royal clerks or messengers. Some had been members of the painter-stainers company.
WILLIAM DETHICK
