the previous Council of Nobility. As a private institution with no formal powers granted by the State, it is not an official authority, although its technical know-how and its decisions in these matters have been accepted by the Portuguese courts of Justice and by other official authorities. There are other private institutions that are frequently required to act as heraldic advisers for public and non-public entities, like the Portuguese Institute of Heraldry and the Portuguese Academy of Heraldry. However, these institutions have no formal heraldic powers. Rolls of arms The Portuguese officers of arms and the Nobility Register Office had to maintain official rolls of arms. These rolls took usually the form of illuminated manuscripts that constitute beautiful works of art. Unfortunately, part of these disappeared when the Nobility Register Office was destroyed by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Others however survived and still exist. The most notable still existent Portuguese rolls of arms are: (Book of the King of Arms) - dated from 1509 and created by João do Cró, Portugal King of Arms. It includes the real and imaginary coats of arms of the Nine Worthies, of the states of Europe, Africa and Asia, of the electors of the Holy Roman Emperor, of the peerage of France, of members of the Royal Family of Portugal and of the other noble families of Portugal. It was supposed to be the book kept by the King of Arms near the Monarch to be consulted by him when needed. (Book of the Nobility and Perfection of the Arms) - dated from 1521 to 1541 and created by António Godinho, secretary of King John III of Portugal. It follows the model of the Livro do Armeiro-Mor, being its update, but omitting the chapters on the Nine Worthies, the electors of the Emperor and the peers of France. (Treasure of the Nobility) - dated from 1675 and created by Francisco Coelho, India King of Arms. It includes the real and imaginary arms of the 12 tribes of Israel, the Nine Worthies, the Romans, the peers of France, the electors of the Empire, the cavalry and regular orders of Portugal, some cities of the overseas dominions of Portugal, the cities and principal towns of Portugal, the Kings and Queens of Portugal, the dukes and marquises of Portugal, and the counts of Portugal and their families. See also Coat of arms of Portugal Portuguese vexillology References