Berkeley

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BERKELEY (Town council)

District : Stroud

Official blazon

Arms : Per chevron Gules and Azure on a Chevron between in chief five Crosses Paty and in base in front of a Lightning Flash a representation of two Electrons each in orbit Argent a Church Tower between two Salmon naiant respectant proper.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Latin Cross Or a Cow's Head caboshed proper.
Motto: Drythenholda Beorcleah

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on October 8, 1976.

The crosses paty are from the arms of the Berkeley family, who began the construction of Berkeley Castle and the lightning flash and electrons refer to Berkeley Nuclear Power Station. The tower refers to Berkeley's Anglo Saxon Abbey and the salmon for the River Severn and its influence on the town.

The Latin cross refers to the current parish church and the cow's head to Dr Edward Jenner, the originator of vaccination, who was born in Berkeley.