Hatfield

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

HATFIELD (Rural District Council)

Incorporated into : 1974 Welwyn-Hatfield

Official blazon

Arms : Barry of ten Argent and Azure a Lion rampant Ermine on a Chief Gules three ducal Coronets Or all within a Bordure of the last charged with eight Tudor Roses proper.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours an Oak Tree charged with a Tudor Rose proper.
Motto : 'SEMPER SERIO' - Always in earnest.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on February 11, 1976.

The three crowns are from the arms of the Diocese of Ely, the Manor was granted to the monks of Ely in the 10th century, and later when Ely became a bishopric, the bishops built a palace at Hatfield, which later passed to Henry VIII. The Tudor roses refer to the many associations with that period, Elizabeth I spent her childhood here, and it was here she recieved news of her accession to the throne. Hatfield remained in the possesion of the Crown until the 17th century when James I exchanged it, for Theobalds with Sir Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury. The barry field and ermine lion are from the heraldry of the Cecils, and Hatfield has been the seat of this branch of the family ever since.

The crest depicts what is known locally as Queen Elizabeth's Oak, the tree beneath which she was sitting when informed of her accession.

The motto is a combination of the Semper Idem of Elizabeth I and the Sero sed Serio of Lord Salisbury.

Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.