Sodbury

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SODBURY RDC

Incorporated into : 1974 Stroud

Official blazon

Arms : Argent on a Fesse dancetty Sable between two Lions passant guardant Gules three Clarions Or.
Crest : On a Wreath Argent and Gules in Front of a Portcullis Sable chained Argent a Tower Or.
Motto: 'CIVIBUS SODALIBUS QUE' - For the citizens and companions.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on October 5, 1966.

The lions refer to the reputed arms of the former Borough of Chipping Sodbury. The tinctures of the arms in question are uncertain but in a mural painting in the Town Hall of early nineteenth century date, the lions appear to be red. The fesse dancetty is taken from the arms of the West family. The town of Wickwar was held by the La Warrs and their successors, West Lords de la Warr from 1207 to 1618.

The three clarions are said to have been the arms of Robert, Earl of Gloucester (bastard of Henry I). His son William, 2nd Earl, founded Keynsham Abbey and endowed it inter alia with the manor of Marshfield. Keynsham Abbey had a coat of six clarions in allusion to their founder and this coat appears on the mace which is preserved at Marshfield. Chipping Sodbury, Wickwar and Marshfield were all old boroughs within the Rural District. Another family quite unconnected with the above, bore three clarions - the Granvilles of Devon and Cornwall. Sir Basil Granville who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Lansdown was carried to the parsonage house at Cold Ashton and there died.

The Portcullis and tower forms part of the heraldry of the Duke of Beaufort whose seat at Badminton is also within the Rural District.