The Profiles II - Thomas Lloyd, Wales Herald

The Profiles II - Herodr Arbennig Cymru

By Thomas Lloyd O.B.E. D.L. F.S.A., Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary

 

The Herodr Arbennig Cymru is, literally, Wales Herald Extraordinary. I was appointed Wales Herald in 2010, the third holder of this office. The first, Major Francis Jones, served from 1963, and performed his duties both as herald and scholar throughout the Investiture of the Prince of Wales in Caernarfon. I had known him very well in my younger days, and I learned much from him. Though my leading out-of-hours interest then, when practicing as a solicitor in London, had been Welsh architectural history, heraldry and genealogy were inevitably related. My office was only a short ride to the Society of Antiquaries on a bicycle.

The author in his tabard

The Land of my Fathers called me back home before long, allowing time to study the Welsh pedigree rolls at the National Library and to gain more from Dr Michael Powell Siddons, my predecessor as Wales Herald, whose magnificent series on The Development of Welsh Heraldry is always by my desk – allowing me the appearance of enormous and instant knowledge if an inquirer telephones.

Following such well-published scholars was unnerving at first, but the welcome from my new, distinguished colleagues at the College of Arms soon settled me into life as Wales Herald. The privilege of taking part in annual ancient ceremonies such as the State Opening of Parliament and the Order of the Garter Service and so seeing great events at close hand is remarkable, more so when tied up into a heavy tabard and with all the uniform that goes with it, though I had been broken in to the novel feel of black tights, knee breeches, sword and bicorn hat from having previously been High Sheriff. But a particular test of being a new herald is to lead the procession of one’s colleagues on these occasions: with the seniority of years served, one moves back in the line, becoming closer to the Sovereign whose way one is heralding.

The most important public duty of Wales Herald is at the five-yearly State Opening of the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd. I am on my own on that occasion with the Monarch directly behind. The Senedd building in Cardiff was not designed for ceremony, so going the right way and at the right speed, particularly as the late Queen got older, was much in mind. Indeed, this had been my first public duty only weeks after I was appointed in 2010, so a baptism by fire. And the last State Opening in October 2021 was one of the final events that the Queen was able to attend.

The greatest privilege of all has been to take part in the State Funeral and Coronation. More than ever, I sensed the honour of being a representative of my country (within the College, I am referred to as Mr Wales). The funeral programme, spread over ten days, was exhausting: with rehearsals at 2am, out of public gaze. But much more so for me, as it was my duty to read the Proclamation of King Charles III at Cardiff Castle. Not an easy document to read, though practiced for years, but alarming nonetheless with millions watching on television. It will be the only time in my life I am driven in a large black government car with four police outriders.

I turn out in Wales on a few other occasions (not in a tabard) such as at the Order of St John annual cathedral service. And I receive invitations to lecture or to speak after dinner on the role of Wales Herald, which I am happy to do, as my role and purpose is not well known. Otherwise, I correspond with researchers who seek my help, although I avoid doing genealogical research unless the answer lies in the large library I have accumulated, since I can direct them to the archivist in the College where the peerless manuscript collection contains many Welsh records.

Just as well that I enjoy it, as there is no salary!