SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL (Former) |
ARMS: Per pale Azure and Sable a Fess per pale Ermine and Or in chief a representation of the Crown of King Edgar proper and a Sprig of Oak fructed Argent. Arms granted 8th August 1934, Badge granted 20th January 1958. |
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The gold and blue are derived from the arms of the Warrennes, Earls of Surrey (blue and gold chequers) and the black from the fields of the arms of the Boroughs of Guildford and Godalming. The ermine is from the arms of the Borough of Richmond, and the crown of King Edgar, represents Kingston upon Thames, where several Saxon kings were crowned. At the time of the grant both of these places were within the County. The oak refers to the County's rural areas and is derived from the heraldry of the FitzAlans and Howards, Earls of Surrey. |
BAGSHOT RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per pale Or and Argent a Stag's Head caboshed Gules between the attires a Ball Sable fired in cross proper on a Chief Vert charged with two Barrulets wavy also Argent a Lion passant Gold over all. Motto 'FESTINA PRUDENTER'. |
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The gold and white background is from the arms of Chertsey Abbey, which owned and is connected with the history of much of the district, Bagshot was included in a grant to the Abbey as early as 933. The stag's head refers to Bagshot Park, a royal demesne since Norman times and hunting ground of the Stuart kings, and also to the fact that much of the area was was formerly part of Windsor Forest. The grenade refers to the area's military associations, in particular the former military camp at Chobham and the lion recalls the area's royal links. |
BARNES BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Azure on a Saltire Or between four Ostrich feathers Argent two Oars in saltire proper the blade of that to the dexter dark blue and that to the sinister light blue. Motto 'NOT FOR OURSELVES ALONE'. Picture thanks to David Hale, NSW, Australia. |
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The ostrich feathers refer to the Duke of Windsor (at the time of the grant, Prince of Wales), who was born at White Lodge in Richmond Park. The oars, in the light and dark blue of Oxford and Cambridge refer to the University Boat Race, which ends at Mortlake. It is interesting to note that the arms are blazoned as 'dark blue' and 'light blue', as the term azure does not indicate differnt shades of blue. |
BEDDINGTON AND WALLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL |
*ARMS: Argent a Fess embattled between three roses Gules each surmounted by a a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper the Fess surmounted by an Escutcheon Azure charged with a representation of an Hannibal Aircraft volant Argent and in base a rising Sun Or all within a Bordure compony Or and Azure. Motto 'PER ARDUA AD SUMMA' - Through Difficulties to the Heights. Picture used with permission, do not reproduce. |
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The embattled fess refers to a walled town, sometimes said to be the Romano-British town of Noviomagus (of doubtful location, but believed by some early antiquarians to have been at Woodcote, in the south of Wallington). Perhaps, more probably, however, this is a reference to a mistaken derivation of the name "Wallington" (which really means 'settlement of the Welsh' or Celts) as 'walled town'. The border, is in the colours of the arms of the Warrenne Earls of Surrey. The Tudor roses refer to the prominence of the Carew family of Beddington in Tudor times, and to Beddington and Wellington being royal manors when confiscated by Henry VIII after the execution of Sir Nicholas Carew, K.G., Master of the Horse, for alleged treason in 1539 as part of Henry's collection of local manors when building Nonsuch Palace. The small inner shield, with its aeroplane flying over a rising sum, refers to the presence of Croydon Aerodrome, London's first major airport, in the east of the Borough. (The first Croydon Airport, formed in 1920 from two First World War flying fields was wholly in Beddington and Wellington; the extended Airport, after 1928, was 86% so). This was the first instance of a complete aeroplane being used in civic heraldry. |
CARSHALTON URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
*ARMS: Or on a Chevron between in chief two Lions rampant combatant Gules and in base a Greyhound passant Sable a Fountain between two Sprigs of Oak fructed Argent. Motto 'ANIMO ET FIDE' - By Courage and Faith. Picture used with permission, do not reproduce. |
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The main colours of gold and red are those of the arms of the Mandevilles, Lords of the Manor of Carshalton at the time of the Domesday survey. The lions with a forked tail derive, with a change of colour, from the heraldry of the Burghershes, who held the sub-manor of Stone Court in the 14th century and the six gold lions from the arms of the de Bohuns, Earls of Hereford and Essex and heirs of the Mandevilles. Lions, or their heads, also appear in the arms of Sir John Fellowes and those of Philip Yorke, Earl of Hardwicke; both of whom, at different times, owned Carshalton House. The red chevron is for both Gainsford, a family which held Stone Court in the 15th and 16th centuries, and Scawen: the latter family holding the sub-manor of Mascalls (the house or its successor, later becoming Carshalton Park or Place) from 1713 to 1781. The heraldic fountain, the symbol for water, stands for Carshalton's springs, pools and ponds; and the River Wandle which rises partly in Carshalton. The sprigs of oak provide a link with the arms of the Surrey County Council, and also refer to The Oaks, the house once belonging to the Earls of Derby, now demolished, which used to stand in the Oaks Park in the south of Catshalton. From here, both the Derby and the Oaks horse races received their names. |
CHERTSEY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert a Key Or and Sword proper hilt and pommel Or wards and points [upwards] in saltire enfiled through a Mural Crown Argent a Chief wavy barry wavy Argent and Azure. Motto 'SERVIRE CONTENDIMUS' - We strive to serve. |
The green background represents the metropolitan green belt and rural amenities generally, and the wavy white and blue chief represents the River Thames, which forms the northern boundary of the district. The key of St. Peter and sword of St. Paul refer to the dedication of the two principal churches and the parts of the district in which they are situated. The mural crown represents local government and urban development. |
COULSDON AND PURLEY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Or on a Chevron Vert between in chief an Oak tree and Beech Tree both fructed and eradicated proper and in base a Lion rampant Sable five Plates. Motto 'AD SUMMA PERGAMUS' - Let us press on to the highest. |
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The gold background is from the arms of Merton College, Oxford who have held the Manor of Farleigh since 1264. The green chevron refers to the green belt and its shape to the hilly nature of the district, in particular to 'Cuthraed's Dun or Hill' from which Coulsdon is named. The five white roundels, representing pearls, refer to Purley, five in number for the main communities of Coulsdon, Kenley, Purley, Sanderstead and Selsdon. The black lion is from the arms of the Abbey and Convent of Hyde, which held the Manor of Sanderstead from circa 964 to 1538, and the trees refer to the area's wooded nature, with special reference to Purley Oaks and Purley Beeches. |
CROYDON COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Quarterly Argent and Or a Cross parted and fretted Gules between three Cornish Choughs proper in the first quarter as many Crosses patee fitchée Sable in the second a Cross flory Azure charged with three Besants fessewise in the third and a Fesse embattled of the third in the fourth. Motto 'SANITATE CRESCAMUS' - May We Grow in Health. |
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The three Cornish choughs or "beckits", in the first quarter, from the arms of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, are a reminder of Croydon's long association, through the Manor of Croydon, with the Archbishops of Canterbury. The three crosses patee fitchée, in the second quarter, are another allusion to Canterbury and derive from the four similar crosses of the arms of the See. The blue cross charged with three bezants, in the third quarter, is a reminder of Archbishop Whitgift, whose benefactions to Croydon include the two famous schools which bear his name. The embattled fess, in the fourth quarter, is a heraldic representation of a town wall which is appropriate to the arms of a municipality. The cross parted and fretted is to make it plain that the four quarters into which the shield is divided do not indicate, as heraldic quarterings normally do, the descent of the bearer from several families. |
DORKING AND HORLEY RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert semée of [twelve] Acorns Or two Bendlets wavy Argent. Motto 'E GLANDE QUERCUS' - From the acorn, the oak. |
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The shield is an heraldic map of the district, with the green background symbolizing the countryside of Surrey and twelve gold acorns, from the arms and badge of the County Council. They represent the twelve parishes of the district, and are set in positions relative to their location between and around the River Mole and Tillingbourne Stream, represented by the two white waves. |
DORKING URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Chequy Or and Azure a Pale Gules thereon a Lion rampant per fesse of the first and Argent between in chief a Ducal Coronet Gold and in base a Sprig of Oak fructed also Argent. Motto 'VIRTUTE ET VIGILANTIA' - By courage and vigilance. Picture used with permission, do not reproduce. |
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The arms represent the passing of the Manor of Dorking from the Warrennes to the Howards. The gold and blue chequers are from the arms of the Warrennes, ancient Earls of Surrey. The first Earl recieved the the Manor with his bride, the daughter of William I. The Manor then passed to the FitzAlans of Arundel, who bore a gold lion on red, and then to the Morbays, who bore a white lion on red. These two lions are combined on the red pale, which also represents the old Roman Road. The ducal coronet refers to the Dukes of Norfolk, who later came into possession of the Manor. The white acorn is from the arms of the Surrey County Council, and is part of the heraldry of the Dukes of Norfolk, who are also Earls of Surrey. |
EGHAM URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert a representation of Magna Carta ensigned by a representation of the Crown of King John proper. Motto 'UT HOMINES LIBERI SINT' - That men may go free. |
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The green background, scroll and crown were are from the device previously used by the Council. The scroll represents Magna Carta and the crown alludes to King John. The green background may be said to represent Runnymede, where the historic signing, or more acurately sealing of the Great Charter of freedom by King John took place in 1215. The scroll closely resembles whiat is believed to be the earliest copy of Magna Carta, now in the British Museum and the design of the crown is based on that worn by King John on his tomb in Worcester Cathedral. |
ESHER URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Azure a Chevron Or between in dexter chief a Griffin passant in sinister chief an Eagle displayed Argent and in base on a Mount Vert a representation of Wayneflete's Tower at Esher Place proper a Chief Argent charged with two Barrulets of the first. Granted 1st June 1957. Picture used with permission, do not reproduce. |
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The gold chevron on blue is from the ancient arms of the d'Abernons, Lords of the Manor of Stoke D'Abernon in the Middle Ages. Above are a white griffin from the arms of the Evelyns of Wotton and also those of Cardinal Wolsey, who resided for a time at Waynflete's Tower, which is shown in the base. The white eagle comes from the arms of Merton Priory, which held lands in Molesey for 400 years. The two blue waves on white refer to the rivers Mole and Ember and the parts of the district by the Thames. |
FARNHAM URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL See Farnham Town Council |
FRIMLEY AND CAMBERLEY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Azure three Owls Argent membered Or each perched on a Branch of Oak leaved also Argent fructed Gold on a Chief of the last a Tower also Azure between on the dexter a Sword in bend proper hilt and pomel Gules and two Keys in bend sinister addorsed and the bows interlaced the upper Gules the lower Azure and on the sinister two Swords in saltire also proper hilts and pomels also Gules. Motto 'A DEO ET REGINA' - From God and the Queen. |
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The three owls are from the arms of the Le Marchant family, lords of the adjoining manor of Chobham, with the additional association that Major General John G. Le Marchant was appointed the first Lieutenant Governor of the Royal Military College. The branches of oak upon which the owls are perched come from the arms of the Surrey County Council and are ultimately derived from the heraldry of the Howards, Earls of Surrey, they also commemorate the fact that the district once formed the most southerly ride of the royal chase of Windsor Forest. The tower is from the crest of the Earls of Stanhope, with the crossed swords representing the Staff College at Camberley, the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and other local military associations. The sword and keys are from the arms of Chertsey Abbey which was granted the manor of Frimley in Saxon times and held it until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537 when it was granted to the Whites, passing to their descendants, the Tichbornes who are commemorated by the gold chief, which comes from their family arms. |
GODALMING BOROUGH COUNCIL See Godalming Town Council. |
GUILDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL (Former) |
ARMS: Sable on a Mount Vert between two Woolpacks Argent a Castle with three Towers Argent the central one triple-towered and charged with a Shield of the Royal Arms of France and England quarterly the outer towers each surmounted by a Spire under the battlements two Roses in fesse and within the open port beneath a Portcullis a Key all Or on the mount before the port a Lion chouchant guardant also Or the base barry wavy Argent and Azure. Recorded at the Visitations of 1623 and 1662-3. Picture used with permission, do not reproduce. |
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The principal charge recalls the Norman castle at Guildford, the ruins of which now stand in a public park. The shield above the battlements, lion and roses are all allude to the Crown. The key is possibly derived from the arms of the ancient Abbey of St. Peter at Chertsey, which once held extensive lands in Surrey. The woolpacks represent what was anciently the town's staple trade and the waves in base refer to the River Wey. |
GUILDFORD RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per pale Azure and Sable issuant from Water barry wavy in base proper a Mount Vert thereon in front of an Oak Tree fructed a Lion chouchant guardant Or over all on a Fesse Argent three Cornish Choughs also proper. Motto 'FORTITER ET FIDELITER' - Bravely and faithfully. Picture used with permission, do not reproduce. |
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The shield is parted like that of the Surrey County Council into blue and black a reminder that the Rural District surrounds the County town. The golden royal lion lying on a hill above waves representing the River Wey are taken from the arms of the Borough of Guildford, the inclusion of these emblems indicates Rural District Council's situation and identifies its name readily, as Guildford is the only town in England bearing such a lion in its shield. The castle in the town's arms, is however, replaced by an oak tree to indicate that it is the Guildford Rural area, it also refers specifically to the present woodlands and ancient forest. The white band running across the shield represents the Pilgrims' Way, which follows the chalk ridge of the Downs across the district. The three Cornish choughs have a triple significance, firstly they appear in the traditional arms of St. Thomas a Becket and the City of Canterbury, whither the pilgrims were travelling. Secondly they refer to the arms of Cornwall, in which one chough appears, and allude here to the ancient use of the Pilgrims' Way as a road from Cornwall for the Roman metal traders, and thirdly they appear also in the arms of one of the County's chief families, the Onslows, steated within the District. |
HASLEMERE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL See Haslemere Town Council. |
LEATHERHEAD URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per saltire Vert and barry wavy of six Argent and Azure in chief Flames proper encircled by a Chain of Square Links in base a Stag's Head caboshed Or between the attires an open Book proper bound and clasped also Or. Motto 'SERVICE LINKS ALL'. |
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The green sections of the field denote the rural nature of the area and suggest the Surrey Hills sloping down to the valley of the Mole. The blue and white wavy lines represent the waters of the River Mole and the intersection of the diagonal lines also portrays the river crossing (now by bridge) which has existed since very early times and gave rise to the name of Letherhead, 'the public riding ford'. The four sections of the shield also refer to the four wards of the District. The chief contains symbols, that form an original and perpetual memorial to the citizen army of World War II. The local Civil Defence Services on disbandment provided, by subscription from their ranks an heraldic memorial to their colleages who died. The flame portrays the fire of the enemy, encircled or contained by a chain of portcullis in gold, emblem of defence and security representing the unity and strength of the Civil Defence Services of the four wards. The arms are thus unique in civic heraldry in that they represent Civil Defence. The stag's head on a background of the green or parkland is a link with the times when deer abounded in the locality and has special reference to the deer park, Ashtead. The open book refers to the excellent education facilities in the District. |
MALDEN AND COOMBE BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Ermine on a Chevron Vert between two Chevronels the upper one per pale Azure and Gules and the lower one per pale Gules and Azure a Cross pattée Or. Motto 'DUCIT AMOR OPPIDI' - The love of our town leads us. |
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The green chevron charged with a cross refers to the name Malden - Maeldune, 'the hill of the cross', The blue and red chevrons are from the arms of Merton College, Oxford, which still owns in Malden the estates conferred in the thirteenth century by Walter de Merton on his house of scholars. The ermine field denotes Coombe's longstanding connection with the Crown. |
MERTON AND MORDEN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Sable a Fret Or on a Chief of the last two Lions passant respectant of the field. Motto 'IN LIBERTATE VIS' - Our strength is our freedom. Picture used with permission, do not reproduce. |
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The two lions are from the arms of the Garth family, who owned the Manor of Morden from 1553 to 1884. The fret is from the arms of Merton Priory, which held extensive lands in Merton and beyond from 1117 until its disolution in 1538. |
MITCHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL |
*ARMS: Or on a Pale Vert between two Sprigs of Lavender each with three stalks proper a Fess wavy Argent charged with a Bar wavy Azure between in chief two Keys in saltire wards upwards and outwards surmounted by a Sword point downwards Or and in base a Tower Argent. Granted 14th September 1934. |
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The principal colour of the shield is green, a reference to Mitcham Green. The blue and white waves indicate a river or ford, as the upper part of Mitcham was formerly called Witford or Waterford. Below is a tower, which represents the Great Dwelling or 'Mitchelham', as the lower part of Mitcham was formerly called. The crossed keys and sword represent St. Peter and St. Paul, who are the patron saints of Mitcham, the sprigs of lavender are a reminder of the lavender fields for which the area was once famous. |
REIGATE BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Checky Azure and Or on a Chief wavy Sable between two Crosses potent quadrate Gules fimbriated Argent a Mount thereon in front of an Oak Tree of the last the leaves charged with an Escutcheon chequy Azure and Or a Port with porcullis raised between two Towers also Argent. Motto 'NEVER WONNE NE NEVER SHALL'. |
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The castle gateway in front of an oak-tree from which hangs the chequered shield of the Warenne, Earls of Surrey was formerly used as a device by the Corporation. This device now forms a charge in the arms, while the Warenne chequers form the background of the shield. The black of the chief links the arms with those of the County Council, and also Guildford, the former county town. The the wavy line represents the outline of the Surrey hills and the crosses potent and quadrate are from the arms of the priory of Austin Canons founded at Reigate by William de Warenne in the thirteenth century. |
RICHMOND BOROUGH COUNCIL |
*ARMS: Per fess Gules and Azure on a Fess Ermine between in chief a Lion passant guardant between two Portcullises chained Or and in base a Swan Argent upon Water proper a representation of the Ancient Palace of Richmond proper between two Roses Gules barbed and seeded proper. Motto 'A DEO ET REGE' - From God and the King. |
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The roses, portcullises, and lion allude to Richmond's royal associations. In particular to Henry VII, who rebuilt the palace, represented in the centre of the shield, and from whose Earldom of Richmond, in Yorkshire, the town (formerly Sheen) derived its name in 1500. The swan represents the River Thames. |
STAINES URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Gules on a Fesse barry wavy of four Argent and Azure between in Chief two Swans respectant proper and in base a representation of London Stone Or between two Seaxes blades upwards and outwards of the second hilted and pommelled a representation of the Staines Bridge Gold. Motto 'AD PONTES PROSPICIMUS' - At the bridges we look forward. Picture used with permission, do not reproduce. |
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The central feature consists of a representation of Staines Bridge, upon white and blue waves for the Thames. The two swans are also appropriate to the river, where they may be regarded as Royal birds, being the property of the Crown. The depiction of the London Stone refers to the local landmark, the original of which was erected in the reign of Edward I, to mark the most westerly point of the City of London's Jurisdiction over the Thames. Both the swans and the London Stone figured in the device formerly used by the Urban District Council. The Seaxes are from the arms of the Middlesex County Council, in whose area the district was originally situated. |
SUNBURY-ON-THAMES URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per fesse Or and Argent on a Fesse Vert between in chief two Shepherd's Crooks in saltire and in base as many Bars wavy Azure a Mitre between two Saxon Crowns of the first. Motto 'SOL ET PASTOR DEUS' - God is my sun and shepherd. |
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The shepherd's crooks refer to the name Shepperton and the wavy bars to the Thames. The abbot's mitre alludes to the Abbot of Westminster, who held Shepperton and Sunbury. |
SURBITON BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Azure issuant from the base an Elm Tree proper in front of a Sun rising Or. Motto 'CONSILIO ET ANIMIS' - By wisdom and courage. |
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The elm tree alludes to Elmbridge Hundred in which the place lay and the rising sun refers to the elevation to borough status at the time of the grant. |
SUTTON AND CHEAM BOROUGH COUNCIL |
*ARMS: Azure on a Pale Argent between a Bezant and a Plate each charged with a Key wards upward and outward the dexter Azure and the sinister Gules four Crosses formy fitchy in pale Sable. Motto 'SERVE GOD AND BE CHEERFUL'. (Colouring not accurate) |
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The black crosses on the sliver central section are from the arms of the See of Canterbury, which held Cheam from 1018 until what were by then the two manors of East Cheam and West Cheam were acquired by Henry VIII over five hundred years later, at the time he was building Nonsuch Palace nearby. The keys of St. Peter are from the arms of the Benedictine Abbey of Chertsey which owned Sutton at the time of the Domesday survey, and held it until 1583. |
WALTON AND WEYBRIDGE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Or on a Fesse wavy Azure between two Tudor Roses barbed and seeded proper and in base an Eagle displayed Gules two Barrulets wavy Argent surmonted by as many Palets of the field. Motto 'DUM DEFLUAT AMNIS' - Till the river ceases to flow. |
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The basic colours of gold and blue are from the arms of the County Council, which in turn derive from the gold and blue chequers of the Warrenne family, Earls of Surrey. They were also the colours of the Mortimer family, who inherited the manor of Walton Leigh, and from whom descended Edward IV, to whom in turn the manor devolved. The blue and white wave represents the River Thames. The two Tudor roses, refer to the two notable Tudor buildings in the district - Oatlands Palace, a residence of Henry VIII, and Ashley Park, built by Wolsey. They also indicate the joining of the manors of Walton, Walton Leigh and Ebso, or Apps Court, at the time of the union of the Houses of Lancaster and York under Henry VII. The eagle refers to the Roman associations of the district, notably the story of the attempted crossing of the river at Cowey Stakes, and the place on St. George's Hill, known as Caesar's Camp. It may also be taken to refer to the aeronautical reseach carried on at Brooklands, Weybridge. Across the wave are two "pallets" representing two ancient bridges - that over the Mole, formerly the meeting place of the Hundred Moot of Elmbridge, and that over the Wey carrying the road from London to Chertsey Abbey. In later times there have also been two Walton Bridges - the wooden one built about 1750, and the brick and stone one which replaced it. |
WIMBLEDON BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Argent a double-headed Eagle displayed Sable armed and legged Gules on the dexter wing a Rose and on the sinister a Fret Or a Bordure compony Gold and Azure. Motto 'SINE LABE DECUS' - Honour without stain. |
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The double-headed eagle is the reputed symbol of Julius Caesar, whose association, more or less mythical, with Wimbledon is indicated by 'Caesar's Camp' and 'Caesar's Well'. The golden rose and the golden fret on the wings of the eagle, typify the connection of the Sovereigns of England and the Spencer family respectively with Wimbledon, the Manor having been in the ownership of the Crown for many years during the 16th and 17th centuries, and afterwards passing to the Spencers, whose arms feature a fret. The gold and blue border is taken from the arms of the De Warrenne family, who for long bore the title of Earls of Surrey, and is intended to mark the connection of County and Borough. |
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