Crewkerne

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

CREWKERNE (Urban district council)

Incorporated into: 1974 Yeovil (1985 South Somerset)

Official blazon

Arms : Or a Lion rampant Azure between three Torteaux on a Chief Ermine a Pale Sable thereon three Swords in pile points downwards proper pommels and hilts of the first.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours issuant from a Wreath of Flax flowered proper the Mast of a Ship also proper at the masthead a Pennon of St. George the Sail hoisted Gules charged with a Cross Moline Or within a Bordure Argent Guttée de Sang.
Motto : 'KEEP FAITH'.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on June 1, 1949.

The blue lion is from the arms of the Redvers Earls of Devon, and the red roundels from those of the Courtenays. The swords are from the arms of the Earls Poulett, seated in the neighbouring village of Hinton St George, and influencial in the town. The ermine stands for the town's royal associations.

The flax represents the rope industry and the sail refers to yachting and sail making. Many of the ships in the navy had sails made in Crewkerne. The cross moline is from the arms of Agnes de Monceaux, who founded Crewkerne School, and the drops of blood allude to St. Bartholomew, to whom the parish church is dedicated.