The term Armorial of London does not appear to correspond to a widely recognized or documented concept in established reference works, scholarly literature, or official heraldic records. Consequently, there is insufficient encyclopedic information to provide a detailed, authoritative description.
Possible Interpretation
- Armorial: In heraldic terminology, an armorial (or armorial roll) is a compilation or register of coats of arms, often organized by region, institution, or family.
- London: The city has a rich heraldic tradition, encompassing the coats of arms of the City of London Corporation, its livery companies, municipal boroughs, and various civic institutions.
Given these definitions, Armorial of London could plausibly denote a collection—manuscript, printed volume, or digital database—of the coats of arms associated with entities within London. Such a work might include:
- The City of London’s official arms and those of its wards.
- Livery companies (e.g., the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Mercers).
- Historical boroughs and parishes that formerly held distinct heraldic bearings.
- Civic and ceremonial organizations (e.g., the Lord Mayor’s office, the London Fire Brigade).
Contextual Usage
- Historical manuscripts: Various heraldic rolls from the late medieval and early modern periods contain arms of English cities, including occasional entries for London. However, none are commonly titled Armorial of London.
- Modern publications: Several reference books and online resources catalog London’s heraldry (e.g., “The Civic Heraldry of the City of London” by C. R. Scott). These works may be informally referred to as an “armorial of London,” though that phrasing is not a formal title.
- Institutional archives: The College of Arms and the Guildhall Library hold extensive records of London-related heraldry, which could be described collectively as an armorial collection.
Conclusion
While the phrase Armorial of London intuitively suggests a heraldic compendium concerning London, no specific, widely acknowledged source bearing this exact title is known in reliable encyclopedic references. Further research in specialized heraldic literature or archival catalogs would be required to verify the existence of any formal work designated as such.
