Thomas Woodcock

Sir Thomas Woodcock FRHSC (born 20 May 1951) is a genealogist who served as Garter Principal King of Arms at the College of Arms from 2010 to 2021.

Early life Woodcock was educated at Eton College before going up to University College, Durham, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then pursued further studies at Darwin College, Cambridge, becoming LLB. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple.

Career Woodcock began his heraldic career in 1975 as a research assistant to Sir Anthony Wagner, Garter King of Arms. In 1978, he was appointed Rouge Croix Pursuivant. In 1982, he was promoted to Somerset Herald, becoming Norroy and Ulster in 1997, then Garter Principal King of Arms on 1 April 2010. On 1 July 2021, Woodcock retired as Garter as well as his other heraldic and genealogical offices.

Personal life In 1998, Woodcock married Lucinda Harmsworth King.

Honours Woodcock was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 1996 Birthday Honours, promoted Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2011 Birthday Honours and Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in the 2021 Birthday Honours.

In 2017, he succeeded William Hunt, Windsor Herald, as Genealogist of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem serving until 2021, having been appointed in July 2018 an Officer of the Order (OStJ).

A Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Lancashire since December 2005, he assists the Lord Lieutenant, Amanda Parker, to represent King Charles III throughout the county.

Elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA) on 3 March 1990, he was awarded the SAL's Society Medal in 2015. He was also elected a Fellow of The Heraldry Society (FHS) on 26 June 1996.

Arms