Also 7 Clarentius, Clarentieux, -tiaux, 7–8 Clarenceaux. [In Anglo-Fr. Clarenceux, Anglo-Latin Clarencius, Clarentius, f. Clarence, L. Clarencia, an English dukedom deriving its name from Clare in Suffolk, created for Lionel, second son of Edward III., when he married the heiress of Clare, whence the title dux Clarensis, dux Clarenciæ. The Clarence herald was subsequently made a royal herald and king-of-arms.]
The second King-of-Arms in England, whose office is to marshal and arrange the funerals of all baronets, knights and esquires south of the river Trent. Formerly also called SURROY, as opposed to NORROY the northern King-of-Arms.
1419–20. [William Horsley, said to have been Clarenceux at Constitutions of Rouen.]
1494. 12 Aug. Grant of Arms (Meantys), Per me Richemont Roy D’Armes de Clarenceux.
1565. March 24 Grant of Arms (Knight), By Wm Hervy alias Clarenciuelx King of armes.
1616. Bullokar, Clarentius.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., II. xxiii. 146. The Queen first made him [Camden], Richmond Herald, and then Clarenceaux King of Arms.
a. 1649. Drumm. of Hawth., Jas. V., Wks. 89. The king … sent Clarencieux (king of arms) to Scotland, to require the duke to avoid the country.
1715. Lond. Gaz., No. 5312/2. Clarenceux King at Arms (officiating in the Absence of Garter King at Arms.)
a. 1859. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., x. All the fantastic pomp of heraldry was there, Clarencieux and Norroy, Portcullis and Rouge Dragon.
1885. Whitaker’s Almanack, 137. College of Arms, Kings of Arms … Clarenceux, Walter Aston Blount.
Hence Clarenceuxship.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. 484. After that time he was fix’d in his Clarenceauxship, and had got a Knighthood.
