Algar Howard

Sir Algar Henry Stafford Howard, KCB, KCVO, MC, TD (7 August 1880-1970) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. He was the third consecutive Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary to attain the highest rank at the College of Arms.

Personal life

Howard was the eldest son but second child of Edward Stafford Howard and Lady Rachel Anne Georgina Campbell. Howard married Violet Ethel Meysey-Thompson, daughter of Sir Henry Meysey Meysey-Thompson, first and last Baron Knaresborough, on 11 October 1921. The couple had two daughters.

Heraldic career

Howard began his heraldic career on 23 May 1911 with an appointment as Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary for the coronation of King George V. This was followed in October of that year with appointment to the office of Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary. In 1919, Howard was promoted to the office of Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary and he held this position until 1931. In that year he was made Norroy King of Arms when Sir Gerald Woods Wollaston was promoted. In 1943, the office of Ulster King of Arms was merged with that of Norroy and Howard became the first Norroy and Ulster King of Arms. He remained in this office until 1944, when he was promoted to Garter Principal King of Arms. He retired from this office, and from the College of Arms in 1950.

See also

• Heraldry
• Pursuivant
• Herald
• King of Arms

External links

• The College of Arms
• CUHAGS Officer of Arms Index
• London Gazette notice of appointment as Fitzalan Pursuivant
• London Gazette notice of promotion to Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
• London Gazette notice of promotion to Windsor Herald
• London Gazette notice of promotion to Garter King of Arms