Bury Saint Edmunds

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

BURY SAINT EDMUNDS

Incorporated into: 1974 Saint Edmundsbury

Official blazon

Arms : Azure three open Crowns Or each transfixed with two Arrows in saltire [points downward] Argent.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours a Wolf sejant proper holding a King's Head couped at the neck of the last crowned Or; Mantled Gules doubled Argent.
Motto : 'SACRARIUM REGIS CUNABULA LEGIS' - Shrine of the King, cradle of the law

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted November 29, 1606.

The arms are based on those assigned by the medieval heralds to the Kingdom of East Anglia, whose last king was St. Edmund. The crest refers to the story of his martyrdom. In 870 King Edmund was overthrown and captured by the Danes in battle at Hoxne. Choosing martyrdom rather than renounce his Christian faith, he was shot to death by arrows and later beheaded. When his followers discovered the body they we unable to find the head until they heard the King's voice crying out, directing them to a spot where the head was being guarded by a wolf.