Beverley

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BEVERLEY

Additions : 1974 Beverley RDC, Haltemprice
Incorporated into : East Riding of Yorkshire

Official blazon

Arms : Argent three Bars wavy and a chief Azure thereon a Castor Beaver reguardant biting at the fur Or.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours issuant from an Ancient Crown of Fleurs-de-Lys Or in front of a representation of Skidby Mill proper two Crosiers in saltine Sable.
Supporters : On tne dexter side a Lion Azure charged on the shoulder with a Sword erect Argent hilt and pommel Or enflamed proper and on sinister side a Stag proper charged on the shoulder with a Cross patonce Argent.
Motto : 'HAULTE EMPRISE' - High endeavour

Origin/meaning

The shield was originally registered as a seal device without colours in 1584. The beaver and waves are an obvious interpretation of the old form of the name'Beverlec'. When Beverley RDC and Haltemprice UDC were merged with the town in 1974, a crest and supporters were added.

The arms represent the situation of Beverley near water by wavy bars and the supposed derivation of the name by a beaver. The arms and tinctures were recorded in 1584 and those were evidently the usual arms by the 18th century, when they were used on the marketcross and in the guildhall.

The arms have, however, been quartered with others: Or an Eagle displayed Azure. The eagle, probably for John the Evangelist, the patron saint of the Beverley Minster, may have appeared on the 16th-century town seal and the quartered arms were seen on another seal in 1584-5; they were used later on a seal and on the waits' and mayor's chains. It was probably from the Beverley arms that the eagle was taken as a device by the former East Riding county council.

The crest has the usual helmet with blue and white flowing mantling, featuring Skidby Tower windmill from the former Beverley RDC crest, a crosier and crown from the arms of Beverley Minster, and another crosier for Haltemprice Priory.

The supporters are the blue lion of the Percys seen on their tomb in Beverley Minster, and the hart from the crest of Haltemprice U.D.C, recalling the Wapentake of Harthill. The lion is charged with the flaming sword of the Hothams, taken from the RDC arms, and the hart with the white cross from the shields of Haltemprice Priory and the UDC.

Haltemprice also supplies the motto 'Haulte emprise' "High endeavour".