Papers of Sir Edward Walker (1612-1677), Garter King-of-Arms

The material is composed of: A short journal of what was transacted in Scotland from his Majesty King Charles the Second's arrival there from Holland to the end of October following, 1650, and a short journal of severall Actions performed in the Kingdome of Scotland after his majesties first Arrival there out of Holland, the 24th of June 1650. The latter is signed with the author's corrections and additions.

Edward Walker was born on 24 January 1612. He entered the service of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, the Earl Marshal, around 1633. With the help of Arundel, he entered the College of Arms and was successively created Blanch Lion pursuivant-at-arms extraordinary, Rouge Croix pursuivant, and Chester Herald. Walker accompanied Arundel with the royal army to Scotland and took part in negotiations with Scottish Commissioners at Berwick. In 1640 he was appointed Paymaster of the Carlisle garrison. During the Civil War he accompanied King Charles on his campaigns and in 1642 he was made Secretary-at-War, then Secretary-Extraordinary to the Privy Council in 1644. He was with the King at Naseby and after, and was created Norroy King-of-Arms in 1644, in Oxford. Walker became Garter King-of-Arms in 1645. When Oxford fell, he went to France but returned in 1648 to act as the King's chief secretary. In 1649 he was in The Hague with the King and in 1650 accompanied the royal entourage to Scotland. Sir Edward Walker died on 19 February 1677 and was buried at Stratford-on-Avon.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of national biography. Vol.20. Ubaldini-Whewell. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1909.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

The UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: correspondence and papers, 1639-1677, British Library, Manuscript Collections, Ref. Index of MSS, X, 1986; collections, College of Arms; historical discourses, Huntigndon Library; draft letters and warrants, 1643-1649, House of Lords Record Office, The Parliamentary Archives, Ref. Walker papers; account of progress and successes of Charles I, 1644, Oxford University, Bodleian Library, Special Collections and Western Manuscripts, Ref. MS Clar 136; papers (24 items), 1653-1674, College of Arms; annotated transcript by him of Rice Merrick's Morganiae Archaiographia, 1675, National Library of Wales, Ref. NLW MS 11700; heraldic papers, Society of Antiquaries of London, Ref. MSS 354, 455 NRA 27819 Society; and, correspondence with 6th Duke of Norfolk, 1654-1656, Arundel Castle, Ref. Vol 1 pp219-20 NRA 12614 Fitzalan-Howard.