Havering

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HAVERING

Additions : 1965 Hornchurch, Romford

Official blazon

Arms : Per saltire Argent and Azure a Gem Ring Or set with a Ruby proper.
Crest : On a Wreath Or and Azure a Castled Gateway with three Towers Or masoned Sable the windows and middle Tower domed Azure ensigned with a Cross Gules and the outer Towers each with a Steeple Azure issuant above the port a Bull's Head and Neck affronty proper.
Motto : 'LIBERTY'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on March 1, 1965.

The arms are very simple. The field combines the saltire of Hornchurch's arms (granted in 1948) with the blue and white colours of Romford's shield (dating from 1938). On this field is placed a ring - a pun on the name of the Borough, as well as a reference to the legend of Havering. The crest of both old councils featured a stylised church, Hornchurch's having steeples and Romford's a dome.

The new crest has a building with both these features. The bull's head together with the church are a pun on the name Hornchurch.

The motto is LIBERTY. This refers to the Royal Liberty of Havering-atte-Bower, an area with special privileges which covered a similar area to the modern Borough.