Office of the Chief Herald of Arms, Malta

Chief Heralds of Arms Malta

Dr. Charles A. Gauci

Dr. Charles A. Gauci, is helped locally by a number of officers of Arms. Abroad, the interests of the Office of the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta are represented by Special Officers of Arms Extraordinary. Professor the Chevalier Horatio Caesar Roger Vella, advises Dr. Gauci on matters relating to Latin and Paleography.

Arms of the Office

Heraldry has its own language, known as ‘blazon’, originating in medieval France.  The blazon describing the Arms of the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta is:

Below a crest coronet of fourteen oak leaves Or issuant from a wreath of the colours and upon a hurt edged of the First bearing the motto VIRTUTE ET CONSTANTIA and debruising two herald’s maces of the First in saltire with dexter finial displaying the Cross and Arms of Aragon and sinister finial the Arms of Fortress Malta both Proper, the shield of Malta, with the whole supported by an Eight-pointed Cross of the Second.

The motto, ‘VIRTUTE ET CONSTANTIA’, alludes to a phrase which reverberates throughout the history of Malta.

Grand Master Jean ‘Parisot’ de Valette used these words in a dispatch to King Philip II of Spain when describing the victory of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

Functions of the Office

  • Registration of Arms already formally granted by another recognised heraldic authority
  • New creations of personal & impersonal Arms
  • Registration of already-established personal & impersonal Arms
  • Ecclesiastical Heraldry

 All Arms granted by or registered by the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta are recognised by the State and are protected against reproduction by others.

Legislation