Huntingdon and Godmanchester

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

HUNTINGDON AND GODMANCHESTER

Additions : 1961 Godmanchester, Huntingdon
Incorporated into : 1974 Huntingdonshire

Official blazon

Arms : Per fess dovetailed Or and Vert in chief two Hunting Horns Sable stringed Gules and in base a Fleur-de-Lys Argent.
Crest : Out of an Ancient Crown Or upon a Mount Vert in front of a Port between two Towers proper Pennons flying Gules a Stag's Head and Neck couped proper; Mantled Vert doubled Or.
Supporters : On the dexter side a Man habited as a Medieval Huntsman proper his Bow and Quiver Or the Arrows Gules flighted Or and on the sinister side a Man habited as a Medieval Oxherd the Goad in his external hand proper tipped Or both standing upon a representation of the Old Bridge at Huntingdon also proper.
Motto : 'UNITED WE ADVANCE'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on June 5, 1963.

The dovetailed dividing line between the upper and lower portions of the field indicates the union of the two fomerly seperate towns. The two hunting horns represent Huntingdon and the golden background is indicative of its commercial character. The lower portion displays the fleur-de-lys of Godmanchester on a green background, the latter marking its agricultural origin.

The castle above the helmet represents Huntingdon Castle which once protected both towns and the golden crown indicates the royal status of the former boroughs. The stag's head looking out from the castle gateway is an emblem used for main years by the Grammar School and other local organisations.

The huntsman with bow, quiver containing arrows, and hunting horn, is for Huntingdon, and is adapted from the 17th century seals. The oxherd with his goad, represents Godmanchester. They both stand, appropriately, at either end of Huntingdon bridge.

Literature : Information from here