North Kesteven

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NORTH KESTEVEN

Additions : 1974 East Kesteven RDC, North Kesteven RDC, Sleaford UDC

Official blazon

Arms : Per chevron Vert and Sable on a Chevron Or between in chief two Bars wavy the nether issuant Argent surmounted of a demi Eagle issuant displayed wings inverted Or and in base an Oak Tree issuant fructed Or three Estoiles Sable.
Crest : On a Wreath Argent and Vert out of the Battlements of a Tower a Crane wings expanded and inverted proper supporting with the interior foot a Maltese Cross resting upon the battlements quarterly Gules and Argent.
Motto : 'RECTAM VIAM SEQUI' - To follow the right road.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on ?

The green background, two white waves, and the top half of the golden eagle in the upper portion of the shield are from the arms of the North Kesteven RDC from which the present District takes its name. The waves denote the rivers Witham and Brant in the agricultural countryside. The eagle refers to the numerous Roman associations of the area - the Fosse Way, Fosse Dyke and Ermine Street, which for part of its length formed the common boundary of North and East Kesteven. The lower part of the shield is taken from the arms of the East Kesteven RDC - a gold oak tree ultimately taken from the arms of the Kesteven County Council, representing the forests, remnants of which still survive in the south of the old county. The gold chevron with three black stars from the arms of the Sleaford UDC , which are taken from those of the distinguished Carre family. The three stars also indicate the union of the three former authorities in one edifice, suggested by the gable-end shape of the chevron.

The wreath is in green and white - the liveries of Kesteven County Council. The crane from the East Kesteven crest represents the important R.A.F. College at Cranwell (also commemorated in the Sleaford crest by an eagle). The crane stands within the battlements of a tower alluding to Somerton Castle, a 13^th century residence of the Bishops of Lincoln, and rests a claw on a cross combining the red Maltese Cross of the Knights Templars and the white cross of the Knights Hospitallers, who had establishments at Mere in the North, Temple Bruer in the East and Eagle in the North. The crest thus combines influential institutions in the life of the area in both ancient and modern times.

The motto is that of the previous North Kesteven Rural District Council, a quotation from Cicero. It may be translated 'To follow the right road' and also 'To follow the straight road', the latter giving a reference to the Roman roads of the area.