CHESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

ARMS: Azure a Sword erect between three Garbs Or.
CREST: Upon a Mural Crown Gules a Lion statant guardant Or between two Ostrich Feathers Argent.
SUPPORTERS: On either side a Lion Or supporting between the forelegs an Ostrich Feather Argent.
BADGE: In front of an oval Wreath of Oak Leaves a Sword erect the blade surmounted of a Garb all Or.

Motto 'JURE ET DIGNITATE GLADII' - By the right and dignity of the Sword.
Arms, crest and supporters granted 3rd May 1938. Badge granted 23rd December 1958.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

cheshire cc arms
cheshire badge
Badge

The three gold wheatsheaves on blue are associated with the ancient Earldom of Chester. These arms were borne by Rululph de Blondeville. To the ancient arms of the Earldom of Chester has been added a sword -fitting emblem of the County Palatinate which the Earl 'held as freely by his sword as the King of England held by his crown'. To this the motto refers.
The lions and ostrich feathers recall that since 1254 the Earldom of Chester has generally been held by the Heirs Apparent of the English throne. Since 1399 the Earls have usually been Princes of Wales.


CHESTER CITY COUNCIL

*ARMS: Gules three Lions passant guardant in pale Or dimidiating Azure three Garbs Or all within a Bordure Or charged with eight Acorns proper.
*CREST: On a Wreath Or Gules and azure a Sword erect hilt and pommel Or within a Sheath Sable encircled by a Sword Belt of the last both garnished Gold all between and interlaced with two Branches of Oak fructed proper. Mantled on the dexter side Gules on the sinister side Azure both doubled Argent.
*SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a Lion Or gorged with an open Crown Argent pendent therefrom a Castle of three towers Gules and on the sinister side a Wolf Argent gorged with a like Crown Or pendent therefrom a Castle of three towers Gules.

Motto 'ANTIQUI COLANT ANTIQUUM DIERUM' - Let the ancients worship the Ancient of Days.
Granted 1977.

The City of Chester was formed by the amalgamation of the former City and County Borough of Chester, the Chester Rural District and the Tarvin Rural District.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

chester city arms

The present armorial bearings are based upon the arms originally granted to the City of Chester during the reign of Elizabeth I in 1580.
The shield combines the arms of England and the arms of the Earldom of Chester. The gold border shows eight acorns, representing the rural areas surrounding the city. These were once covered with oak forests, some of which still stand.
The crest features the Chester City sword entwined with two oak branches. These represent the City and the former Chester and Tarvin Rural Districts which were combined in 1974 to form the present City of Chester.
The supporters are the gold lion of England and the white wolf of Hugh Lupus, the first Norman Earl of Chester. The pendant red castles refer to the historic strongholds in the rural areas, such as Chester, Beeston and Shotwick Castles.
The motto has been used by the City for some 400 years.


CONGLETON BOROUGH COUNCIL

*ARMS: Barry wavy of six Argent and Azure on a Tun Argent a Lion statant guardant Or between two Conger Eels also Argent on a Chief Azure between two Garbs a Mullet Or.
*CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a representation of the Saxon crosses at Sandbach proper a demi Wheel Gules.
*SUPPORTERS On the dexter side a Wolf Argent and on the sinister side a Lion Purpure armed and langed Or each charged on the shoulder with a Fountain and resting the interior hind leg on a Crystal of Rock Salt proper.
*BADGE: On a Roundel Azure fimbriated a Mullet surmounted of a Garb Or.

Motto 'NUNQUAM NON PARATUS' - Never unprepared.
Granted ?

The Borough of Congleton was formed by the amalgamation of the former Borough of Congleton, the Alsager Urban District, the Middlewich Urban District, the Sandbach Urban District and the Congleton Rural District.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

congleton bc arms
congleton badge
Badge

The background of six white and blue blue waves, like those in arms of the former Borough of Congleton, represent the Rivers Dane, Croco and Wheelock and their feeders. Overlying them is the very ancient "conger-tun" punning motif from the mediaeval seal and former arms, with the royal lion standing on the tun. The two gold wheatsheaves refer to the County. Two such sheaves appear in the arms of the Congleton RDC, one in those of the former Borough, three in those of Sandbach UDC and the device of Alsager UDC. The five-pointed gold star symbolizes the union of the five former authorities. It is also a felicitous allusion to the giant radio telescope at Jodrell Bank, which picks up stellar radio signals.
The wreath is in the basic colours of the shield, blue and white. These are the heraldic colours of the Venables family, Lords of the Manor of Middlewich in early times, of the Wilbrahams prominent in the rural district and the basic colours of the Congleton RDC arms and the Alsager UDC device. The Saxon Crosses, which are derived from the arms of the Sandbach UDC, typify the local antiquities and the red half-wheel denotes the automotive and heavy engineering industries.
The supporters are derived from those of the former Borough suitably differentiated. The wolf is derived from the device of a wolf's head said to have been borne by Hugh Lupus, first Norman Earl of Chester. It is used widely in Cheshire as a symbol of the Earldom, which held Congleton, Middlewich, much of the rural district and Alsager. The wolf is also a Wilbraham emblem, seen in the Congleton RDC crest. The purple lion is that of the de Lacys, who held Congleton from the 11th century and procured a market charter for Congleton. The heraldic "fountains" refers here to the extensive waters of the District such as Alsager Mere, Rode Pool, Brereton Pool and Elton Hall Flashes, a centre of wild life. This emblem has also been used to denote brine-springs and the chemical industry (it is the origin of the I.C.I. logo) and this reference is emphasised by the crystals of rock salt taken from the Congleton RDC arms underneath the supporters' interior hind paws.
The motto, a well-known phrase adapted from Cicero, is of really local significance, being painted on a building on the Council's office premises.


CREWE AND NANTWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL

ARMS: Quarterly Or and Gules a Railway Wheel of six spokes proper on a Chief wavy Azure three Garbs Or.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours out of a Mural Crown Gules charged with three Cogwheels Or a demi Lion Argent grasping with the dexter claw a Maunch Or and resting the sinister claw on the Crown.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a Griffin Sable beaked membered and winged Or on the sinister side a griffin Sable beaked and membered Gules winged Argent each gorged with a Collar Gules fretty Or and charged on the shoulder with a Fountain.
BADGE: On a Roundel quarterly Or and Gules environed of a Torse also Or and Gules a Railway Wheel as in the Arms.

Motto 'SEMPER PROGREDIAMUR' - Let us progress together.
Granted 2nd January 1976.

The Borough of Crewe and Nantwich was formed by the amalgamation of the Borough of Crewe, the Nantwich Urban District and the Nantwich Rural District.

Image courtesy of The Heraldry Society.

crewe and nantwich bc arms
crewe and nantwich badge
Badge

The gold and red quarters are derived from the arms of the the de Malbanks, holders of the barony of Wich Malbank, one of the eight baronies of the Earldom of Chester. They held all the area now covered by the Nantwich authorities and Crewe, including Combermere Abbey, which owned Monks Coppenhall, the site of the modern Crewe. Their arms were borne by Combermere Abbey and have been used by both former Nantwich Councils. The railway wheel, here seen in its natural colours, was the main charge in the arms of the Borough of Crewe and symbolizes the importance and growth of Crewe in the railway system in modern times. Also from the Crewe arms is the blue wavy "chief" representing the River Waldron, on whose bank the railway junction was sited. Here it also represents also the River Weaver in the Nantwich area. In Crewe's shield were two of the famous gold Cheshire wheatsheaves, a third is added to represent the three Cheshire authorities united in the new District and the important agriculture of the rural area.
The mural crown is a symbol of local government, and here is also a reminder of the long-vanished castle at Nantwich. Like the mural crown in the County arms it is coloured red, a reminder of the local Cheshire sandstone. The three gold cogwheels represent the local engineering industries. The white lion, like that in the crest of Crewe, is from the arms of the Crewe family, associated with Nantwich and other parts of the new district, who attained marquisate rank but are now extinct. The gold "maunch" or mediaeval sleeve, from the Crewe shield, is a reference to the clothing industry.
The griffins are taken from the supporters of the Marquesses of Cholmondeley and the Barons of Crewe, who were associated with the manor of Nantwich and other parts of the new district. The lands of the barony of Wich Malbank eventually descended to the Marquesses of Cholmondeley, one of whose titles is Baron Cholmondeley of Namptwich. Each wears a distinctive collar, red with a fretted pattern of gold. These are taken from the arms of three of the district's and county's oldest families, all seated in the area: Audley, Foulshurst and Delves. At the battle of Poitiers, Lord Audley, was awarded a prize by the Black Prince. He shared it with his four young squires, of whom were John Delves and Robert Foulshurst, to whom he also gave a coat of arms based on his own. Their descendants continued in the area for many generations, and the Foulshursts held much of Nantwich and Crewe, the ermine from their arms being the field of the Borough arms. Thus the griffins' collars link the new district with one of the most famous of England's mediaeval battles and a well-known episode thereof. For further distinction the griffins are charged on the shoulder with a "fountain" representing springs and natural waters. These recall the ancient salt industry of Nantwich, and in particular the single salt-pit known as The Old Biat.


ELLESMERE PORT AND NESTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

ARMS: Quarterly Gules and Azure on a Bar Argent a Barrulet Sable surmounted of a Pale also Argent thereon a Pallet Azure in the first quarter a Beaver in the second a Mercian Cross in the third a Garb and in the fourth a Cornucopia inverted all Gold.
CREST: On Wreath Argent Gules and Azure within a Circlet Argent rimmed Or and charged with two Barrulets wavy Azure a Lymphad sail set proper and charged with a Cogwheel Sable Flags and Pennon Flying Gules.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a Sea Horse and on the sinister side a Tabby Cat guardant both proper and gorged with a Mural Crown the compartment of Grass also proper.

Motto 'LET US GO FORWARD TOGETHER'.
Granted ?.

The Borough of Ellesmere Port and Neston was formed by the amalgamation of the Borough of Ellesmere Port and the Neston Urban District.

ellesmere port and neston bc arms

The arms are based on those of the former Borough of Ellesmere Port. The black horizontal line between silver borders symbolizes the oil pipes of the petroleum industry and the blue vertical line between similar borders represents the Manchester Ship Canal on which Ellesmere Port is the first inward Port of call. The Beaver refers to industry, while the Mercian Cross is representative of the Neston area of the Borough. The golden sheath has since the thirteenth century been traditionally associated with the Earldom and County of Chester, while the Cornucopia suggests prosperity.
The blue and white wavy lines symbolise the River Mersey, and the ancient ship denotes the Borough's status as a Port and its ancient maritime associations. The cogwheel is another symbolic reference to industry.
The Sea Horse is a further reference to the Borough's connection with the sea, while the symbolism of the tabby cat with its "Cheshire Grin" is self-evident.


MACCLESFIELD BOROUGH COUNCIL

*ARMS: Argent a Lion rampant Azure holding between the forepaws a Garb Or all within a Bordure Azure charged with eight Garbs Or.
*CREST: On a Wreath Or and Azure a Mount Vert issuant therefrom a demi Lion Gules charged on the shoulder with an Estolie Argent and supporting with the forepaw an Antique Crown Or the Rim Gules .
*SUPPORTERS On either side a Stag Or each gorged with a Garland of Laurel proper pendent therefrom a Cross crosslet fitchy Sable.

Motto 'MEMORES BONI CONSILII' - Mindful of our worthy purpose.
Granted 1974?

The Borough of Macclesfield was formed by the amalgamation of the former Borough of Macclesfield, the Alderley Edge Urban District, the Bollington Urban District, the Knutsford Urban District, the Wilmslow Urban District, part of the Bucklow Rural District and the Macclesfield Rural District.

Picture and information thanks to Laurence Jones.

macclesfield bc arms

The blue lion holding a sheaf is from the arms of the former Borough of Macclesfield. The blue bordure with eight gold sheaves represents the eight former Cheshire councils merged in the new Borough.
The grassy mound represents Bucklow Hill, which gave its name to an ancient hundred and modern Rural District. The red lion represents the Egertons of Tatton, who held the hundred's Court Leet. This lion appears in the crest of the Knutsford UDC. Red lions also occur in the arms of the local Legh, Mallory and Leigh families. The antique crown occurred in the crests of both Knutsford UDC, where it was coloured gold, and Wilmslow UDC, where it was red. In Knutsford's case it referred to King Cnut, in Wilmslow's to the Greg family. In the new crest the crown has a red circlet and gold points. The crest is completed by the white estoile of the Honford family.
The supporters are for the Macclesfield Forest area, which included the towns of Alderley Edge, Bollington and Disley. They are gold stags, from the arms of the Stanley Earls of Derby, Master Foresters and Hereditary Stewards of the Liberty and Hundred of Macclesfield. Stags also occur in the arms of other local families - the Stopfords, Downs and Shrigley families. Around their necks are garlands of laurel, from the seal of Bollington UDC. From this hangs a black cross-crosslet of the Davenport family, who held the Master Forestership in Norman times. The stags are each standing on a black hunting horn, seen in the arms of the Macclesfield RDC. These occurred in the Sherd and Sutton family arms, who held land in the forest.


VALE ROYAL BOROUGH COUNCIL

ARMS Barry wavy of six Argent and Azure issuant from the base an Abbot's Crosier Gules headed Sable on a Chief wavy Azure three Garbs Or.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours out of a Circlet of four Mullets of six points Or and four Fountains alternately a demi Lion Argent gorged with a Collar gemel Sable and holding between the paws a covered Salt Argent garnished Or.
SUPPORTERS: On either side a Wyvern Argent gorged with a Collar wavy Azure and sejant erect upon a Branch of Oak fesswise couped fructed proper.
BADGE: A Wyvern sejant erect Argent gorged with a Collar wavy Azure and supporting an Abbot's Crosier Gules headed Sable.

Motto 'VALE SAPE' - Be strong, be wise.
Granted 5th March 1985.

The Borough of Vale Royal was formed by the amalgamation of the Northwich Urban District, the Winsford Urban District, the Northwich Rural District and part of the Runcorn Rural District.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

vale royal bc arms
vale royal badge
Badge

The background of six white and blue waves represents the River Weaver and its chief tributaries in the area, the Dane and Wheelock. The crosier is from the arms of the Northwich RDC, it recalls Vale Royal Abbey, whose arms in full are part of the Winsford UDC device. The Abbey, which gives its name to the Borough was founded and so named in 1270 by Prince (later King) Edward in what is now the centre of the region. In the Northwich RDC arms it is coloured blue for aesthetic reasons, here it has the colours generally ascribed to it in armorial records, which distinguish it from all other crosiers in ecclesiastical heraldry - red staff and black head. The golden wheatsheaves on blue refer to the County, and were common to the arms of the former Councils.
The gold stars forming part of the circlet are from the arms of the Brunners and the "fountains" from those of the Monds, from which it is said to derive the emblem of ICI. Both these emblems appear in the crest of Northwich UDC and the fountain in that of the RDC. The white lion with double black collar is from the crest of the Verdin family, and also formed a part of the Winsford UDC device. The "covered salt" or salt-cellar with lid, is also from the Northwich RDC arms. This cames from the 16th Century arms of the Worshipful Company of Salters and indicates the long history of salt-mining in the area and its national importance.
The white wyverns are derived from those in the two Northwich arms. In Norman French they were called "wivres" (a variant of the French "guivre" - serpent), pronounced approximataly "weaver" and giving a typical heraldic rebus of the river-name. The blue waves emphasize the connection and for further necessary distinction they rest on branchas of oak recalling to Delamere Forest.
The motto is that of the Northwich RDC. It combines a play on the name with a reference to the Brunner motto 'Bibe Si Sapis'.


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