Chester
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom |
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CHESTER
City Council
Additions 1954 Hoole, 1974 Chester (Borough), Chester RDC, Tarvin RDC
Official blazon
Arms : Gules three Lions passant guardant in pale Or dimidiating Azure three Garbs Or all within a Bordure Or charged with eight Acorns proper.
Crest : On a Wreath Or Gules and azure a Sword erect hilt and pommel Or within a Sheath Sable encircled by a Sword Belt of the last both garnished Gold all between and interlaced with two Branches of Oak fructed proper. Mantled on the dexter side Gules on the sinister side Azure both doubled Argent.
Supporters : On the dexter side a Lion Or gorged with an open Crown Argent pendent therefrom a Castle of three towers Gules and on the sinister side a Wolf Argent gorged with a like Crown Or pendent therefrom a Castle of three towers Gules.
Motto : 'ANTIQUI COLANT ANTIQUUM DIERUM' - Let the ancients worship the Ancient of Days
Origin/meaning
The arms were officially granted in 1975.
The arms are those of the city of Chester, see below, with a gold bordure charged with acorns, representing the rural areas added to the city in 1974.
In 1975 two oak branches were added to the crest for the two rural districts and the two castles were added to the supporters for heraldic difference.
Borough council
Official blazon
Arms : Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or dimidiating Azure, three garbs Or
Crest : On a wreath Or, gules and azure, A sword erect hilt and pommel Or, within a sheath sable encircled by a sword belt of the last,
both garnished gold. Mantled on the dexter side gules, on the sinister side azure, both doubled argent.
Supporters : On the dexter side a lion Or gorged with an open crown argent, and on the sinister side a wolf argent gorged with a like crown Or.
Motto : 'ANTIQUI COLANT ANTIQUUM DIERUM' - Let the ancients worship the Ancient of Days
Origin/meaning
Chester's arms have been in use since the 14th century. The crest and supporters were granted on September 3, 1580.
The shield combines the Royal arms of England - a red shield with three gold lions -and those of the Duchy of Chester - three gold garbs on blue.
The sword in the crest is part of the Lord Mayor's regalia.
The supporters are the gold lion of England and the silver wolf of Hugh Lupus, 1st earl of Chester.
 The arms as used on a JaJa postcard +/- 1905 |
 The arms on a Wills's cigarette card, 1906 |
 The arms on a Dexters cigarette card, 1905 |
 The arms on a Mitchell's cigarette card, 1911 |
 The arms as used on a postcard +/- 1905 |
Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.