North Westmorland

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NORTH WESTMORLAND (rural district council)

Additions : 1935 East Westmorland RDC, Shap UDC, West Ward RDC
Incorporated into : 1974 Eden

Official blazon

Arms : Per chevron barry wavy Vert and Argent and Purpure in base a Castle of three Towers of the second on a Chief Or between six Annulets two and one a Pale Sable thereon an Eagle displayed Ermine.
Crest : Out of a Coronet composed of four Wheat Ears and as many Acorns leaved set alternately upon a Rim Or a Stag's Head Gules; Mantled Vert doubled Argent.
Motto: 'AMOENITAS ET ANTIQUITAS'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on June 15, 1959.

The shield has green and white waves and a purple hill-figure to indicate the valleys, rivers, lakes and heather-covered heights of the district. The castle refers to the great houses and other antiquities, and is coloured white for the granite and limestone quarrying.

At the top the six black rings on gold are taken from the arms of Lord Lonsdale and the ermine eagle on black is taken from the arms of Lord Hothfield, both thus refer to the principal landed families in the region.

The crest, a red stag’s head is taken from the original seal of Martindale, which showed a stag. The crown is a “rural crown” of gold acorns and wheatears, specially designed for Rural District Councils, of which North Westmorland was the first to receive it.