Henry Chitting
Encyclopedia
Henry Chitting was a long-serving officer of arms
at the College of Arms
in London
.
His heraldic career was started thanks to his family's ties to Sir Nicholas Bacon. On 18 July 1618, Chitting was appointed Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary
after purchasing the position from his predecessor. In this capacity he visited
Berkshire
and Gloucestershire
in 1623 for William Camden
, Clarenceux King of Arms
.
Chitting first married a widow whom he outlived and about whom little is known. Some time after 1612 he married Ann, the daughter of William Bennet. She died on 8 May 1630 at the age of 27. The two had four children. Chitting was admitted to Gray's Inn
on 4 August 1633, and this was presumably a result of his links with the Bacon family. He died on 7 January 1638 and was buried at Islington
. For the occasion, fifty copies of his funeral sermon were printed.
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...
.
His heraldic career was started thanks to his family's ties to Sir Nicholas Bacon. On 18 July 1618, Chitting was appointed 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...
after purchasing the position from his predecessor. In this capacity he visited
Heraldic visitation
Heraldic Visitations were tours of inspection undertaken by Kings of Arms in England, Wales and Ireland in order to regulate and register the coats of arms of nobility and gentry and boroughs, and to record pedigrees...
Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
and Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
in 1623 for William Camden
William Camden
William Camden was an English antiquarian, historian, topographer, and officer of arms. He wrote the first chorographical survey of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and the first detailed historical account of the reign of Elizabeth I of England.- Early years :Camden was born in London...
, Clarenceux King of Arms
Clarenceux King of Arms
Clarenceux King of Arms is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial kings of arms and his jurisdiction is that part of England south of the River Trent. The office almost certainly existed in 1420, and there is a fair degree of...
.
Chitting first married a widow whom he outlived and about whom little is known. Some time after 1612 he married Ann, the daughter of William Bennet. She died on 8 May 1630 at the age of 27. The two had four children. Chitting was admitted to Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
on 4 August 1633, and this was presumably a result of his links with the Bacon family. He died on 7 January 1638 and was buried at Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
. For the occasion, fifty copies of his funeral sermon were printed.