Richard Leigh (officer of arms)

Richard Leigh (c. 1531–1597) was an English officer of arms. He was created Portcullis Pursuivant in 1571^[1] and in this role conducted visitations of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Shropshire on behalf of the Clarenceux King of Arms.^[2] He was promoted to Richmond Herald in 1592,^[3] in which role he conducted the visitation of Lincolnshire.^[4] Promoted to Clarenceux in 1594,^[5] he inherited his predecessor's dispute with William Dethick over their respective jurisdictions,^[6] during which in 1596 he had a copy made of a privy seal grant made by Henry VIII to Thomas Benolt.^[7] As Clarenceux he undertook visitations of Berkshire and Northamptonshire, but these were formally completed.^[8] He died in September 1597 and was buried at St Alphage London Wall.^[5]

Coat of arms of Richard Lee (Leigh)