Chester Herald


Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The office of Chester Herald dates from the 14th century, and it is reputed that the holder was herald to Edward, Prince of Wales, the Black Prince. In the reign of King Richard II the officer was attached to the Principality of Chester, which was a perquisite of the then Prince of Wales. In the reign of King Henry VIII the title lapsed for a time but, since 1525, the office of Chester has been one of unbroken succession, as a herald in ordinary. The badge of office is taken from the arms of the Earl of Chester and in blazoned as A Garb ensigned of the Royal Crown Or.
On 22 September 2017 The Honourable Christopher John Fletcher-Vane was appointed to the office. Formerly Portcullis Pursuivant from 2012 to 2017. Born in 1953 in Cumbria, the second son of William Morgan Fletcher-Vane, who was later created The 1st Baron Inglewood on 30 June 1964, one of the last creations of a non-Royal hereditary peer. For many years a barrister in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Holders of the office