Vicente de Cadenas y Vicent

The Most Excellent Señor Don Vicente de Cadenas y Vicent (29 April 1915-21 December 2005) was Cronista Rey de Armas (Chronicler King of Arms) of the Kingdom of Spain. He was the son of Don Francisco de Cadenas y Gaztañaga and Donna Vicenta Vicent y Nogues. Beginning in 1932, he studied the fields of history and journalism, at the University of Madrid. He maintained dual professions as both the Chronicler of Arms and as a journalist, and was decorated with several high Spanish and foreign Orders. He was for many years a member of the Deputation of the Constantinian Order, of which he was Secretary and which he joined in 1960 upon the succession of the Infante D. Alfonso as Grand Master.

Perhaps his most important achievement was the foundation of the "Asociación de Hidalgos a Fuero de España", created in 1954 to obtain the recognition of the untitled nobility "(nobleza llana)". In 1953 he founded the review "Hidalguía" (with the particular aim of challenging false genealogies, fake titles and pseudo orders of chivalry) and the "Instituto Internacional de Genealogía y Heráldica". The following year he founded the Instituto Salazar y Castro and in the following years the "Colegio Mayor Marqués de la Ensenada", the "Casasolar Santo Duque de Gandia", and the "Casa Quinta Vita Natural Durante", each of which were dependent on the Association of Hidalgos.

He also organized two International Congresses of Genealogy and Heraldry in Madrid (1955 and 1982) and at the former founded the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry [http://www.icocregister.org] , becoming a fellow of this body in 2003. He published an enormous number of books and articles particularly on historical themes, but also on Heraldry, Genealogy, Chivalric Orders and Documentary Sciences. In 1959 He founded the first School of Genealogy in the world. His multi-volume study of the life and achievements of the Emperor Charles V, King Charles I of Spain, will remain an important monument to his scholarship and determination. In 1993 he assisted in the foundation of the Istituto Araldico Genealogico Italiano [http://www.iagi.info] , persuading the surviving members of the Istituto Italiano di Genealogia ed Araldica to enter the new body and become founding members of the new institution.

On the occasion of his 75th birthday he authorized the foundation of the Association of Owners of Certifications of Genealogy, Nobility and Coat of Arms issued by the Corps of the Cronistas King of Arms of Spain (of which he was President) to protect the lawful owners of these historical heraldic documents.

Honors and appointments

*Knight of the Royal and Loyal Order of Saint Charles Borromeo
*Bailiff Grand Cross of the Sacred Military Order of Costantinian Saint George with Collar
*Knight of the Royal Order of Saint Januarius
*Commander of the Order of Our Lady of the Conception of Vila Viçosa
*Commander of the Order of Saint Sava
*Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit
*Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic

References