Auncienty is a term used to describe a system of precedence, for instance through years and continuance in the Houses of the Inns of Court, or among the ranks or degrees of the Officers of Arms.
"[6] At Gray's Inn, the progress towards admission to the "grand company of Ancients", their prerogatives and responsibilities, are described in the published editions of their archives.
[7] In the Orders given by Thomas Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, to the Officers of Arms in 1568,[8] terms of precedency are set out for arrangements for heraldic funerals.
[9] William Camden, Clarenceux, in confirming the 1456 grant of arms to the Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers of London in 1602, wrote: "...the comunaltyes, Brotherhoods and Companyes of every faculty and Mistery in famous Townes and Cittyes, haue likewise byn distinguished the one from the other, and accordingly marshalled, and placed with their Banners, Standards and Pennons in all publike feasts, and other solempne assemblyes as their worthynes and auncienty did require."
"[11] The term occurs several times in the Letters Patent for the Limitation of the Crown issued in 1553, purporting to be the last will and testament of King Edward VI.