Brecknock
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom |
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BRECKNOCK DISTRICT COUNCIL
Additions : 1974 Brecknock RDC, Builth RDC, Builth Wells, Crickhowell RDC (partly), Hay RDC, Hay UDC, Llanwrtyd Wells, Vaynor and Penderyn RDC, Ystradgynlais RDC
Incorporated into : 1996 Powys
Official blazon
Arms: Or on a Saltire Sable between four Reremice affrontée Azure four Swords points outwards Argent pommels and hilts Or.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours a representation of the Brecon Beacons proper issuant therefrom a demi Dragon Gules holding between the claws a Mantle of Estate Gules doubled Ermine.
Motto: 'UNDEB HEDD LLWYDDINT' - Unity, peace, success
Origin/meaning
The newly created council compassed nearly the whole of the old county of Brecknockshire, and the new council was granted arms based on the unofficial device of Brecknockshire County Council.
The arms are based on the insignia used by the former Brecknockshire County Council, which used arms attributed to the Hiberno-Welsh Chieftain Brychan, under whose leadership the Goidels reoccupied the Usk Valley on the withdrawal of the Romans.
The swords on black are for Prince Anlach, Brychan's father and the blue reremice or bats on gold are for Marchell, his mother. From Brychan was derived the name Brycheiniog, now Brecknock.
The colours of gold and black are symbolic of agriculture and industry, especially coal-mining, which are typical of the area.
At the base of the crest are two hills for the twin Brecon Beacons, seen at the base of the Borough of Brecon arms, below the shield. The red dragon is for Wales, and is one of Brecon's supporters. It holds in the fore-claws ancient device of Brecon, this is the mediaeval "mantle of estate", which was a badge of the Staffords, Earls and Dukes of Buckingham, who held the Lordship of Brecon or Brecknock
Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.