Ashby-de-la-Zouch

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH (Urban District Council)

Incorporated into : 1974 North West Leicestershire

Official blazon

Arms : Sable on a Mount in base a Castle triple towered Argent on a chief of the last a pale Gules between two Maunches Sable on the Pale a demi Lion issuant also Argent.
Crest : Out of a Mural Crown Or charged with three Fleurs-de-Lys Gules a Bull's Head Sable armed also Or gorged with a Collar also Sable edged Gold and charged with three Bezants; Mantled Gules doubled Argent.
Motto : 'SANS DIEU RIEN' - Without God, nothing

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on November 9, 1960.

The castle and mount refer to the ancient and historic castle at Ashby. Originally a Norman Manor House, it was converted into a self-contained fortress in the 15th Century by Lord William Hastings. After the Civil War the castle was partly destroyed and largely forgotten. The black maunches or sleeves and the lion are from the arms of the Hastings and Abney families respectively, the family of Abney-Hastings, being so long and closely associated with the town.

The mural crown refers to corporate government, and the fleurs-de-lys are from the arms of Ashby's twin town of Pithivier. They also refer to the sojourn in Ashby Castle of Mary, Queen of Scotts, as the form part of the Scottish arms. The bull's head is derived from the supporter of the County's arms and the bezants are from the arms of Lord Zouch.

Literature : Image and information from here