Alford

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

ALFORD

Incorporated into : 1974 East Lindsey

Official blazon

Arms : Barry wavy Argent and Azure a Lion rampant queue fourchee and on a Chief Sable a Windmill Sail of five arms Or between two Lincoln Red Shorthorn Bulls' Heads caboshed proper ringed Argent.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a demi Lion Ermine holding between the paws a Book Or charged with a Rose Gules charged with another Argent barbed and seeded proper seven Mascles conjoined Gules.
Motto : 'FOURSQUARE TO ALL WINDS'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on October 1, 1965. Transferred to the Town Council on April 16, 1975.

The black lion is that of William de Welle, Lord of the Manor of Alford, who obtained the market charter in 1283. The blue and white waves represents the ford that gave Alford its name. The bulls' heads and five armed windmill sail symbolise the importance of agriculture, the town's annual bull fair and its cattle market.

The ermine lion comes from the arms of Lord Burghley, who helped Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School obtain its charter in 1576, and holds, appropriately, a gold book with a Tudor rose on it. The seven red mascles or voided lozenges are traditionally associated with St. Wilfrid, to whom the church is dedicated.

The motto is adapted from Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington by the Lincolnshire poet Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Literature : Image and information from here