Original: This established the system , which is still operated , whereby royal authority to approve candidates for grants of arms is exercised by the Earl Marshal , and royal authority to grant the arms themselves is exercised by the Kings of Arms from the College of Arms .
Simplified: The Kings of Arms grant coats of arms by letters patent . Before they can even consider the granting of arms , an application , ( called a memorial ) must be made to the Earl Marshal , and a fee paid .