Canterbury (England)

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CANTERBURY (ENGLAND)

Additions : 1974 Bridge-Blean RDC (1934 Blean RDC, Bridge RDC (1886 Fordwich borough)), Herne Bay UDC, Whitstable UDC

Official blazon

Argent three Cornish Choughs proper two and one on a Chief Gules a Lion passant guardant Or.

Motto : Ave Mater Angliae

Origin/meaning

Although first registered at the College of Heralds in 1619, Canterbury's coat of arms is medieval in origin and appeared on official documents as long ago as 1380.

Canterbury's links with Royalty - it has been a royal city since at least the 6^th century - are denoted by the heraldic leopard, whilst the three black choughs are taken from the arms ascribed to Thomas Becket.

The arms as used on a JaJa postcard +/- 1905	The arms on a Wills's cigarette card, 1906
The arms in the Coffee Hag albums +/- 1925	The arms as used on a postcard (pre 1915)

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