James Frere
Encyclopedia
James Arnold Frere, FSA
(born 20 April 1920, died 26 November 1994) was an officer of arms
at the College of Arms
in London
.
. Interested in costume, he took part in the ceremonies for the funeral of King George VI and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He held this post until his appointment as Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary
on 23 January 1956 to replace John Heaton-Armstrong
. Frere would hold this post until his retirement in 1960 to work in the Law Courts in the Strand. He was author of The British Monarchy at Home (1963) and co-author with the Duchess of Bedford of Now...the Duchess (1964). He inherited a coat of arms
from his father. The blazon was Or two Leopards Faces in pale between Flaunches Gules.
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
(born 20 April 1920, died 26 November 1994) was an officer of arms
Officer of arms
An officer of arms is a person appointed by a sovereign or state with authority to perform one or more of the following functions:*to control and initiate armorial matters*to arrange and participate in ceremonies of state...
at the College of Arms
College of Arms
The College of Arms, or Heralds’ College, is an office regulating heraldry and granting new armorial bearings for England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Biography
He was the only son of John Geoffrey Frere of Hartley and Violet Ivy Sparks. Following military service in the Intelligence Corps, he began his heraldic career on 24 February 1948 when he was appointed Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms in OrdinaryBluemantle Pursuivant
Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary is a junior officer of arms of the College of Arms in London. The office is reputed to have been created by King Henry V to serve the Order of the Garter, but there is no documentary evidence of this. There is, however, mention of an officer styled...
. Interested in costume, he took part in the ceremonies for the funeral of King George VI and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He held this post until his appointment as Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary
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...
on 23 January 1956 to replace John Heaton-Armstrong
John Heaton-Armstrong
Sir John Dunamace Heaton-Armstrong, MVO was a long-serving English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London.During the First World War he was commissioned into the Cavalry Branch of the Reserve of Officers of the British Indian Army as a second lieutenant, and was later promoted to...
. Frere would hold this post until his retirement in 1960 to work in the Law Courts in the Strand. He was author of The British Monarchy at Home (1963) and co-author with the Duchess of Bedford of Now...the Duchess (1964). He inherited a coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
from his father. The blazon was Or two Leopards Faces in pale between Flaunches Gules.