A coat of arms, a heraldic achievement, is a unique design or emblem representing an individual, family, organisation, or institution. It originated in medieval Europe to identify individuals in battles or tournaments. It evolved into a system of hereditary symbols representing a person’s lineage, achievements, and social status.

A typical coat of arms consists of several components:

1. Shield: The central element of a coat of arms, typically displaying a distinct pattern or design. The shield is the foundation upon which the other elements are placed.
2. Helmet: Positioned above the shield, the helmet represents the rank and social standing of the bearer. The style of the helmet can vary depending on the individual’s status.
3. Mantling: Flowing decorative drapery that extends from the helmet and surrounds the shield. Mantling originated from the practical need to protect the helmet from the elements.
4. Crest: A decorative feature that sits atop the helmet. It often takes the form of a specific animal, object, or plant and represents the personal characteristics or traits of the individual or family.
5. Supporters: Figures or animals that flank the shield on either side. Supporters can be real or mythical creatures intended to provide further symbolic representation.
6. Motto: A short phrase or motto typically displayed on a scroll beneath the shield. The motto often embodies the ideals, values, or aspirations of the individual or family.

Coats of arms are highly personalised and unique to each individual or family, passed down through generations. They are used in various contexts, including on flags, banners, seals, stationery, and architectural elements. Today, coats of arms are still utilised, primarily by noble families, organisations, and institutions, to represent their identity and heritage.

A flag that contains a coat of arms is known as a “flag of arms” or an “armorial flag.” This type of flag incorporates the design elements of a coat of arms onto a rectangular or square-shaped flag. The coat of arms is usually placed in the flag’s centre, taking up a significant portion of the space.

The flag of arms represents a specific individual, family, organisation, or institution. It combines the symbolic elements of the coat of arms with the visual impact of a flag. It serves as a distinctive symbol of identity and can be used in various contexts, such as official ceremonies, parades, or as a banner representing a specific group.

The design of a flag of arms typically follows the rules and conventions of heraldry, ensuring that the elements of the coat of arms are accurately represented. This includes correctly placing the shield, helmet, crest, mantling, and additional elements like supporters or mottoes.

Noble families, government entities, educational institutions, and other organisations with historical or heraldic significance often use flags of arms. They provide a visual representation of the heritage, achievements, and values associated with the coat of arms while also functioning as a recognisable symbol when displayed on a flag.

The “College of Arms” in the United Kingdom, also known as the College of Heralds, is a royal corporation consisting of professional officers who are responsible for the granting and regulating of coats of arms in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and some Commonwealth realms. It is the official authority on heraldry in these jurisdictions.

The College of Arms has a long history from the 15th century. It was established to regulate and maintain coats of arms, symbolic designs used to identify individuals, families, organisations, and institutions. The officers of the College, known as heralds, hold various ranks and titles, such as Garter Principal King of Arms, Clarenceux King of Arms, and Norroy and Ulster King of Arms.

The primary functions of the College of Arms include:

1. Granting and registering coats of arms: The College has the authority to grant new coats of arms and record them in the official registers. This process involves designing and describing unique heraldic achievements for individuals, families, and organisations.
2. Genealogical and historical research: The officers of the College have expertise in genealogy and heraldic history. They provide research services to establish family pedigrees, trace lineages, and verify historical information related to coats of arms.
3. Ceremonial and state duties: The College of Arms plays a role in various state and ceremonial events. Its officers participate in state occasions, such as coronations and royal weddings, and guide on matters of heraldic protocol and precedence.
4. Maintaining and updating records: The College preserves and maintains extensive records of coats of arms, pedigrees, and related documents. These records are a valuable resource for historians, researchers, and those interested in their heraldic heritage.

The College of Arms operates from its premises in London, known as “Queen Victoria Street.” It continues to serve as the authoritative body for matters of heraldry, ensuring the proper use and regulation of coats of arms in the United Kingdom and associated realms.

“To ALL AND SINGULAR presents shall come David Vines White Esquire Garter Principal King of Arms and Timothy Hugh Stewart Duke Esquire Clarenceux King of Arms Send Greeting! WHEREAS MAURIZIO BRAGAGNI of West Smithfield in the City of London Esquire Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire hath represented unto The Most Noble Edward William Duke of Norfolk Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England that he is desirous of having Armorial Ensigns established under lawful authority and duly recorded in the College of Arms and hath requested therefore the favour of His Grace’s Warrant for Our granting and assigning such Arms and Crest and in the same Patent such Device or Badge as We deem suitable to be borne and used by him and his descendants with due and proper differences and according to the Laws of Arms and FORASMUCH as the said Earl Marshal did by Warrant under his hand and Seal bearing date the Eighteenth day of November, 2021 authorize and direct Us to grant and assign such Arms and Crest and in the same Patent such Device or Badge accordingly KNOW YE THEREFORE that We the said Garter and Clarenceux in pursuance of His Grace’s Warrant and by virtue of the Letters Patent of Our several Offices granted by Her late Majesty to each of Us respectively do by these Presents grant and assign unto the said MAURIZIO BRAGAGNI the Arms following that is to say Argent a Cross between in the second and third quarters a Rose Gules barbed and seeded proper overall a Bend Vert thereon a Robin palewise proper And for the Crest Upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Gules A Robin proper supporting with the dexter foot a Staff Sable flying therefrom to the sinister a forked Pennon Azure Mantled Gules doubled Argent And by the same Authority We do further graut and assign the following Device or Badge that is to say Environed by a Branch of Olive and a Branch of Oak stems crossed in saltire in base proper fructed Or a Robin proper as are in the margin hereof more plainly depicted the whole to be borne and used for ever hereafter by the said MAURIZIO BRAGAGNI and his descendants with due and proper differences and according to the Laws of Arms IN WITNESS where of We the said Garter and Clarenceux have to these Presents subscribed Our names and affixed the seals of Our several Offices this Seventeenth day of March in the First year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith and in the Year of Our Lord Two thousand and twenty-three. J. V. Whit Garter Simolas, Duke Clarencerx“

The above text follows a traditional format and language used in official grants of arms by the College of Arms in the United Kingdom.

This text states that Maurizio Bragagni of West Smithfield in the City of London, an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, has requested the establishment of his coat of arms and crest, as well as a device or badge, to be used by him and his descendants. The request is made to Edward William, Duke of Norfolk, who holds the position of Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England.

The Earl Marshal, through a warrant under his hand and seal, authorises Garter and Clarenceux to grant and assign the requested arms, crest, and device or badge to Maurizio Bragagni. Garter and Clarenceux, as authorised by the warrant and their respective offices, proceed to grant the following:

1. Arms: The description of the arms granted to Maurizio Bragagni is as follows: “Argent a Cross between in the second and third quarters a Rose Gules barbed and seeded proper overall a Bend Vert thereon a Robin palewise proper.” This means the shield is silver (argent) with a red (gules) cross, and in the second and third quarters, there is a red rose with proper (natural) thorns and seeds. Above the rose, there is a green (vert) bend, and on the bend, there is a proper-coloured (natural) robin bird standing upright.
2. Crest: The crest is described as follows: “Upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Gules, a Robin proper supporting with the dexter foot a Staff Sable flying from that place to the sinister a forked Pennon Azure Mantled Gules doubled Argent.” This means the crest sits upon a helmet with a silver (argent) and red (gules) wreath. On top of the helmet, there is a proper-coloured (natural) robin bird holding a black (sable) staff with its right foot, from which a forked blue (azure) flag flies to the left. The crest is covered with a red (gules) mantle lined with silver (argent).
3. Device or Badge: The granted device or badge is described as follows: “Environed by a Branch of Olive and a Branch of Oak stems crossed in saltire in base proper fructed Or, a Robin proper.” This means the badge consists of a proper-coloured (natural) robin bird surrounded by a crossed olive branch and an oak branch in the shape of an X, placed at the bottom of the badge. The branches are depicted as having stems crossed in the shape of a saltire (an X). The whole badge is depicted with proper (natural) colours.

It concludes by stating that the grant is to be used by Maurizio Bragagni and his descendants, with appropriate differences, according to the laws of heraldry. The document is signed by J. V. White, Garter, and Simolas, Duke of Clarenceux, and bears the seals of their respective offices. The date mentioned in the text is the Seventeenth day of March in the first year of the Reign of Charles the Third in 2023.