Redbridge

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REDBRIDGE

Additions : 1965 Ilford, Wanstead and Woodford

Official blazon

Arms : Ermine an Oak Tree eradicated and fructed proper between four Leopard's Faces and three Martlets alternately in orle Or a Base barry wavy Azure and Argent.
Crest : On a Wreath of Argent and Azure issuant from a Chaplet of Oak a demi Buck proper supporting a Cross flory Argent.
Supporters : On the dexter side a Benedictine Abbess holding in the exterior hand a Book and supporting a Crozier with Sudarium and on the sinister side a Forester supporting with exterior hand a Bow all proper.
Motto : 'IN UNITY PROGRESS'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on December 3, 1966.

The arms are clearly based on those of Ilford, with additions from those of Wanstead & Woodford. The main charge is an oak tree, representing the Fairlop Oak in Hainault Forest. Around this are arranged leopard's faces from the arms of King Harold and martlets derived from the arms of King Edward the Confessor.

The water in base represents the River Roding.

The crest features a buck, represents the Epping and Hainault Forests. to this has been added a cross fleury derived from the arms of both Waltham and Westminster Abbeys, local landowners.

The supporters are the same as those granted to Ilford, but moved to opposite sides of the shield. On the left is a Benedictine Abbess. She is Adeliza, Abbess of Barking Abbey, founder of Ilford Chapel and Hospital circa 1145. The other supporter is a forester.

The motto was used by Ilford.