Mr. Thomas Woodcock is one of six Lancastrians named to assist Lord Shuttleworth in representing Her Majesty The Queen in Lancashire. Originally these appointments were made to assist the Lord Lieutenant in organizing the militia. Nowadays, the position is mainly ceremonial and considered to be an honor recognizing that person's contribution to the county and its life.
Officially a member of the Royal Household, Mr. Woodcock, who is also a qualified barrister, is responsible for heraldic matters north of the River Trent and in Northern Ireland. His medieval title is Norroy, (meaning king of the north) and Ulster King of Arms, and he and Garter King of Arms, the senior officer at the College of Arms, have to approve every coat of arms in his area.
Mr. Woodcock is currently working on editing the third of a four-volume Dictionary of British Arms which, when completed, will contain about 114,000 examples of British coats of arms before 1530.
