St Thomas' Hospital

Institutional Heraldry of the World : United Kingdom England

Official blazon

English

Arms : Argent, on a cross between in the first quarter a sword erect gules and in the second quarter a chough proper, a roach haurient of the first; on a chief azure a rose of the field, barbed and seeded proper, between two fleurs-de-lys Or. Crest: On a wreath of the colours, Between four spears, points upwards, sable, embrued gules, three Madonna lilies argent, stalked and leaved vert. Supporters: On the dexter side a chough, and on the sinister side a nightingale, both proper.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on February 14, 1950.

The cross and sword refer to the city of London.

The Nightingale bird on the right represents Florence Nightingale an is a symbol for a hospital.

The two choughs (on the London arms and as a supporter, popularly know as the Becket bird) represent Thomas Becket after which the hospital is named.

The spears in the crest represents Thomas the Apostle, who was speared to death.

I have no information on the other elements.

Literature :

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