STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

ARMS: Or on a Chevron Gules a Stafford Knot of the first on a Chief Azure a Lion passant guardant of the field.
CREST: Issuant out of a Mural Crown proper a Stafford Knot Or.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a Lion reguardant Gules crowned with a Ducal Coronet Or and on the sinister side a Gryphon reguardant Or.

Motto 'THE KNOT UNITES'.
Granted 31st January 1931.

staffordshire cc arms

The red chevron on gold is from the arms of the De Stafford family, and the knot is their badge.
The crest combines a mural crown, symbol of civic government, and the Stafford knot.
The supporters are also Stafford badges, they are shown looking backwards, both for difference and as a symbol that they look back into the past.


CANNOCK CHASE DISTRICT COUNCIL

ARMS: Barry of eight Vert and Sable a Stag's Head caboshed between the attires a Hunting Horn stringed in chief three Stafford Knots in fess Or.
CREST: On a Wreath Or and Vert out of a Circlet on a Mount Vert in front of an Oak Tree proper fructed Or a Horse passant resting the dexter forehoof on a Cross potent quadrate charged with a Fleur-de-Lys Gules.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side an Heraldic Tiger Sable charged on the shoulder with the Astronomical sign for Mars Or and on the sinister side a Lion Sable charged on the shoulder with a Thunderbolt Or.
BADGE: A Stafford Knot pendent therefrom by the strings a Hunting Horn Or.

Motto 'LABOR IN VENATU'-Work in the Chase.
Granted 3rd December 1975.

The Cannock Chase District was formed by the amalgamation of the Cannock Urban District, the Rugeley Urban District and the Parish of Brindley Heath from the Lichfield Rural District.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

cannock chase dc arms

The green and black bars, like those in the arms of the Cannock UDC, indicate the coal seams beneath Cannock Chase, symbolized by the stag's head and hunting horn. The three Stafford Knots represent the three communities of Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley.
The green circlet and the oak tree, as in the crest of Cannock UDC, represents Castle Ring, an Iron Age earthwork, and the Forest. The horse recalls Rugeley's ancient Horse Fair and the red fleur-de-lis ("rouge lys") plays on its name. The cross, from the arms of the Bishoprics of Lichfield and Coventry, alludes to the purchase of the manor of Cannock by the then united See.
The heraldic tiger, bearing the sign of Mars, for iron, is from the heraldry of the Pagets, Marquesses of Anglesey, whose ironworks supplemented the early coalmining industry. The lion is from the arms of the National Coal Board, and bears a thunderbolt referring to the modern electrical and electronic industries.
The previous Cannock motto, taken from Virgil may be translated as "Work in the Chase".


EAST STAFFORDSHIRE BOROUGH COUNCIL

ARMS: Argent a Chevron barry wavy Argent and Azure fimbriated Gules between three Towers proper on a Chief Azure between two Fleurs-de-Lis Argent a demi-Sun issuant Or charged with a Stafford Knot Sable.
CREST: On a Wreath Argent and Gules in front of a Garb Or enfiling a Mural Crown proper a Bugle Horn mouth to the dexter Gules stringed Sable. Mantled Gules lined Argent.
SUPPORTERS: Dexter a Lion Or resting its interior rear foot on a Barrel proper sinister a Deer proper attired and unguled Or resting the interior hoof on a like Barrel.

Motto 'STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY'.
Granted 8th June 1973?.

The Borough of East Staffordshire was formed by the amalgamation of the County Borough of Burton-upon-Trent, the Uttoxeter Urban District, the Tutbury Rural District and the Uttoxeter Rural District.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

east staffordshire bcarms

The white and blue waves, from the arms of the County Borough of Burton-upon-Trent, represent the rivers Trent and Dove, and the towers allude to Tutbury. The rising sun depicts the direction "East" and the Staffordshire knot represents the County. The fleurs-de-lys, also from the Burton arms, are from the arms of the Bass family, Barons Burton, and also refer to the dedication of the Abbey to St. Mary.
The wheatsheaf represents the whole rich agricultural area around Uttoxeter, and the mural crown, symbol of civic government, is common to the crests of Burton and the County Council. The hunter's horn symbolises Needwood Forest.
The lion is one of the County Council and England Supporters and the buck denotes the parkland and forest of East Staffordshire. The barrels or tuns are a further reference to Burton, the centre of British brewing.


LEEK TOWN COUNCIL

ARMS: Azure a Saltire patonce between in chief a Stafford Knot in fesse two Suns and in base a Garb all Or.
CREST: Out of a Mural Crown Or charged with three Mulberry Leaves proper a Mount of Heather thereon a Moorcock also proper resting the dexter claw on a Leek small-weave Shuttle Gold threaded Gules.

Motto 'ARTE FAVENTE NIL DESPERANDUM'-Our skill assisting us, we have no cause for despair.
Granted 7th May 1956, to the Leek Urban District Council.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

leek tc arms

The basic colours of the arms are gold on a blue ground, the colours of the Earldom of Chester, Dieulacrcsse Abbey, the Kingdom of Mercia and St. Edward. The cross, is that of St. Edward, patron saint of the parish, here it is set X-wise to recall the golden saltire on blue from the arms traditionally associated with the Saxon earldom and kingdom of Mercia, in which Leek held an important place under Earl Ælfgar. The Stafford Knot, like that in the arms of the County Council, indicates the town's importance in North Staffordshire. The wheat sheaf, is from the arms of the Earls of Chester, from whom the manor of Leek was held by the monks of Dieulacresse Abbey, founded in 1214 by Ranulph, Earl of Chester. The two suns recall the well-known Leek phenomenon of the "double sunset" and also refer to those in the arms of the family of Nicholson who have been so closely connected with Leek's modern development.
The mural crown is a symbol of local government and recalls Leek's traditional title of "Capital of the Moorlands". The mulberry leaves stand for the silk industry and the mound of heather and moorcock refer, to the moorlands, and also to the local archaeological feature, Cock Low. The special type of small-weave shuttle is characteristic of the local Industry.
The motto is that which was in use before the arms were granted.


LICHFIELD CITY COUNCIL
Link to Lichfield City Council Web Site

ARMS: Chequey of nine Or a Chevron Gules and Ermine.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a representation of St. Chad vested in alb and amice proper the orphreys Vert embroidered Or a dalmatic of the first embroidered of the second and a chasuble of the second trimmed of the first embroidered of the second gloves Argent and shoes Purpure in the bend of his exterior arm a Pastoral Staff of the second and in his exterior hand a representation of Lichfield Cathedral proper and on the sinister side a representation of a Guild Master of Lichfield in fifteenth century dress proper carrying in his exterior hand a Bunch of Roses Gules leaved and stalked proper.

Motto 'SALVE MAGNA PARENS'-Hail great mother (or parent).
Granted 28 March 1950, to the former City Council.

The new Lichfield City Council was established in 1980. It is a parish council with city status granted by letters patent.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

lichfield city arms

The arms are ancient, the red chevrons on gold are probably from the arms of the Stafford family, Dukes of Buckingham and Earls of Stafford. Ermine is an ancient emblem of honour and purity.
The supporters refer to the See and City, St Chad became the first Bishop of Lichfield in 669.
The motto was first used by Dr Samuel Johnson at the begining of the compilation of his famous dictionary. It was a tribute by him, not only to his native city, but also to the Cathedral as the mother church of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia.


LICHFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL

ARMS: Vert an eagle displayed wings inverted perched on a Stafford knot Or and charged on the breast with three arrows barbs downwards two in saltire and one in pale proper banded gules on a chief Or a pale ermine between two chevrons gules.
CREST: Out of a coronet composed of four ears of wheat and as many acorns leaved set alternately upon a rim Or, a demi stag sable charged on the shoulder with a sun in splendour gold, mantled vert doubled Or.

Motto 'ORA ET LABORA'-Pray and work.
Granted 20th January 1964, to the Lichfield Rural District Council.

The Lichfield District was formed by the amalgamation of the City of Lichfield and the Lichfield Rural District, except the Parish of Brindley Heath now in the Cannock Chase District.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

lichfield dc arms

The gold Stafford knot on a green background represents rural Staffordshire. The Roman eagle, also in gold, refers to the important Roman historical associations of the district (e.g. Watling Street, Ryknild Street and Letocetum, which gave its name to Lichfield). The eagle is also common to the arms of the Paget and Biddulph families, and was also the emblem of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, who died at Kings Bromley in 1057. The sheaf of arrows is from the arms of the Peel family of Drayton, to which belonged Sir Robert Peel. The chief is derived from the arms of the Borough of Lichfield, it consists of a panel of ermine between two panels of gold bearing the red chevron of the Staffords, which is the basis of the County Arms and also appears in the arms of the Lane family of Kings Bromley.
The special coronet of ears of wheat and acorns is of a type formerly assigned to Rural District Councils. The black stag alludes to the coalfields in the Cannock Chase area. On its shoulder is the sun, which, as the source of light and power, is common to the arms of the National Coal Board and the Central Electricity Generating Authority.


NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME BOROUGH COUNCIL

*ARMS: Azure issuant from a base barry wavy of four Argent and of the first charged with three Fishes naiant proper a Mount Vert thereon a Castle of three towers in chief two Stafford Knots Or.
*CREST: On a Wreath Or and Azure issuant from a Mount Vert an Oak Tree fructed proper the trunk enfiled by a Stafford Knot Or between two Kids saliant respectant also proper.
*SUPPORTERS: On either side a Lion guardant Sable each supporting a Scythe and gorged with a Steel Chain pendent therefrom an open Book proper edged and garnished Or.
*BADGE: A Stafford Knot ensigned with a Castle of three towers Or.

Motto 'CONSTANTIA SCIENTIA PRUDENTIA'-By steadfastness, knowledge and foresight.
Granted 1975.

The Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme was formed by the amalgamation of the former Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, the Kidsgrove Urban District and the Newcastle-under-Lyme Rural District.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

newcastle-under-lyme bc arms

The castle, waves and fishes are from the arms of the former Borough, and the two Stafford Knots indicate the other two former Staffordshire authorities. The castle and knots are in gold on blue, the colours of the Earldom of Chester, whose banner was seen in the former Borough crest.
The oak tree and kids are derived from the device of the former Kidsgrove UDC, which consisted of kids gambolling in a grove of trees. The gold Stafford knot is a further reference to the County.
The black lions with scythes over their shoulders, which supported the former Newcastle shield, are from the heraldry of the Sneyd family. The scythe or 'sned' (a pun on their name) also appeared in the device of the Newcastle RDC and is a charge in the arms of the University of Keele, which is in the former Rural District. The open books hanging by steel chains about the lions' necks, represent the District's important educational amenities, especially the University of Keele, linked with the engineering industry.
The motto combines 'CONSTANTIA' from the motto of the former Borough, 'PRUNDENTIA' from that of the Rural District Council and 'SCIENTIA' in reference to the University of Keele.


SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

ARMS: Vert a Stag Royal's Head caboshed between the attires a Stafford Knot Or a Chief Argent fretty Gules nailed Or.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours, out of a Garland of Laurel Leaves Or in front of an Oak Tree proper fructed Or a demi Unicorn Argent armed crined unguled and supporting a Quiver of Arrows erect Or.
SUPPORTERS: On either side a Stag Royal proper the dexter gorged with a Collar Argent charged with six Escallops Sable (three being manifest) the sinister gorged with a Collar Argent charged with six Mullets Gules (three being manifest) and each charged on the shoulder with a Sun in splendour Or thereon a Stafford Knot Gules.
BADGE: A Sun in splendour Or charged with a Stafford Knot Gules.

Motto 'HONESTE NEC TIMIDE'-Honestly but not timidly.
Granted 2nd January 1976.

The South Staffordshire District was formed by the amalgamation of the Cannock Rural District and the Seisdon Rural District.

south staffordshire bc arms
south staffordshire badge
Badge

The gold Stafford knot on green, was common the the arms of both former Councils. The stag's head, from the arms of the Cannock RDC, represents Cannock Chase and the Forest of Brewood. The pattern of red trellis-work on white, with gold nails at the intersections, is from the arms of the Seisdon RDC, where the trellis was from the arms of the ancient Trussel family of Seisdon and Acton Trussel. The gold nails refer to an old established local industry.
The white unicorn with gold horn, mane and hooves is from the Seisdon RDC crest, and the gold quiver and arrows from that of the Cannock RDC. These are from the heraldry of several families prominent in the life of the area; the unicorn is that of the Greys and Wrottesleys and the quiver is that of the archer in the crest of the Giffards. The laurel leaves, as in the arms of the Cannock RDC, are from the arms of the Levesons, now Dukes of Sutherland, who had much to do with the development of the local mining industry. The oak tree, also from the Cannock RDC crest, recalls the famous Boscobel Oak.
The two stags, in natural colours, indicate the Forest areas of South Staffordshire and its industries. They are also recall the supporters of two other families long associated with the area, the Littleton Barons Hatherton and the Legge Earls of Dartmouth, from whose respective arms are derived the stags' collars, showing three black scallop shells and three red five-pointed stars on white. The shoulder badges differentiate them further from other stag supporters. The full sun is a symbol of the South, and with the Knot denotes South Staffordshire. The sun is also found in the same position on the black lion supporters of the National Coal Board, being the source of all natural energy.
The motto is a combination of elements from the Seisdon motto 'HONESTE PROGREDIEMUR CONANDO' and the Cannock RDC's motto, the Bridgeman family's 'NEC TEMERE NEC TIMIDE'.


STAFFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

*ARMS: Or four Chevronels interlaced Gules on a Chief wavy Vert below a Stafford Knot of the first a Barrulet wavy Argent.
*CREST: Out of a Palisdado Crown Or a demi figure representing St. Bertelin supporting with the dexter hand a Staff all proper.
*BADGE: On a Roundel Gules a quadrangular Castle in perspective the four towers domed Argent and each surmounted by a Pennon Or.

Granted 1974?.

The Borough of Stafford was formed by the amalgamation of the former Borough of Stafford, the Stone Urban District, the Stafford Rural District and the Stone Rural District.

stafford bc arms
stafford badge
Badge

The four interlaced red chevronels on gold, derived from the red De Stafford chevron in the arms of the County Council, symbolise the union of the four former authorities. The green chief alludes to the pastoral and agricultural nature of the area, and the gold Stafford knot, like those in the arms of the former Borough, recall further the County. The white wavy bar represents the River Trent flowing through the area.
St. Bertelin is reputed to have been the son of the Mercian prince, the friend and disciple of St. Guthlac who, after St. Guthlac's death circa 700, continued his holy vocation on the islet of Betheney now Stafford. Here, he remained until forced to retreat to Ilam, in Dovedale, where ultimately he died. His burial place in Ilam church was for long a place of pilgrimage. He holds a staff, alluding to the name of the town, and issues from a palisade crown in reference to Stafford Castle. The first castle, built circa 1069, was basically an earth fortification with a stockade for defence, hence the palisade crown in place of the mural crown, more usually found in civic heraldry.
The badge is derived from the arms of the former borough.


STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS DISTRICT COUNCIL

ARMS: Or on a Mount of Heather in base a Curlew rising proper on a Chief Vert a Stafford Knot Or.

Granted 21st January 1976.

The Staffordshire Moorlands District was formed by the amalgamation of the Biddulph Urban District, the Leek Urban District, the Cheadle Rural District and the Leek Rural District.

Picture used with permission, do not reproduce.

staffordshire moorlands dc arms

The arms are a simple expression of the name of the District. The gold Stafford knot on a green background represents rural Staffordshire, and the curlew and heather represent the Moorlands.


STOKE-ON-TRENT CITY COUNCIL

ARMS: Argent a Cross Gules fretty Or between in the first quarter a representation of the Portland Vase in the second a Camel kneeling proper charged on the body with an Escutcheon Argent thereon a Cross Gules in the third an Eagle displayed Sable and in the fourth a Scythe also proper on a Chief of the second a Boar's Head erased between two Stafford Knots of the the third.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours a Potter of ancient Egypt at his Wheel Argent.

Motto 'VIS UNITA FORTIOR'-United strength is stronger.
Granted 20th March 1912, to the Stoke-on-Trent County Borough Council.

stoke on trent city arms

The County Borough (later City) of Stoke-on-Trent was formed by the amalgamation of Stoke-on-Trent, Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton and Tunstall. The emblems in the arms are derived from the various arms and devices of the constituent authorities.
The Stafford knot was taken from the Tunstall shield, and also links to the arms of the County Council. The boar's head was taken from the Stoke-upon-Trent shield and the Longton shield, these derived respectively from the arms of the Copeland and Sandford families. The Portland Vase was taken from the arms of the Burslem BC, as was the scythe, which also occurs in the Tunstall shield. The scythe or 'sned' is from the heraldry of the Sneyd family. The fretty cross was taken from the Fenton shield device and the dromedary was taken from the Hanley crest, being derived from the crest of the John Ridgway, first Mayor of that borough. The eagle was taken from the Longton crest, being derived from the crest of James Clover.
The Egyptian potter at his wheel represents the pottery industry.


TAMWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL

ARMS: Per fess Azure and Gules a Fess Vair between in chief a Saltire and in base a Fleur-de-Lis Or.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours infront of a Mount Vert thereon a representation of Tamworth Castle proper two Swords in saltire Or.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a Bear Argent muzzled Gules collared and chained Or and on the sinister side a Lion Gules crowned Or.
BADGE: A Saltire Or surmounted by a Fleur-de-Lys Azure.

Granted 1st May 1965.

tamworth bc arms
tamworth badge
Badge

The gold saltire on blue is from the arms of the Kingdom of Mercia. When Offa came to the throne of Mercia in 757 AD, he made Tamworth his chief residence and built a palace there. Shortly after the Norman Conquest, William gave the royal Anglo-Saxon castle of Tamworth and its lands to his Royal Steward, Robert de Marmion. It was the Marmion family, who built the stone castle and the vair is from their arms. The fleur-de-lys is from the Borough Seal and probably derives from the arms of Elizabeth I, by whom the town was incorporated.
The crossed sword in front of a representation of Tamworth Castle, represent the office of Champion of England, held by the Marmion family.
The crowned lion, is like one of the supporters of the arms of Staffordshire County Council and the chained bear, is like that in the arms of Warwickshire County Council. Tamworth was previously situated in both counties, the boundary ran through the centre of the town along the main streets, until 1889 when the town was transferred wholly to Staffordshire.


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