Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially adopted on February 13, 1973.

The silver shield is charged with a blue saltire taken from the battle flag of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, signifying the city’s role as a focal point of some of the heaviest fighting of the American Civil War.
The two golden feathers on the cross are taken from the badge of the heir apparent to the British throne, memorializing Frederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of George II, for whom the city was named.

The small red shield in the upper angle of the saltire, charged with the crown of Charlemagne, is the badge of the arch-treasurer of the Holy Roman Empire, a hereditary office held by the House of Hanover.

Above the shield, the crest is based on that of George Washington but with Virginia’s state bird, the cardinal, taking the place of Washington’s raven.

Finally, the two griffins supporting the shield are a hybrid of the British lion and the American eagle, explained as representing Fredericksburg’s past, present, and future.