Lydney

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

LYDNEY

Rural District Council

Incorporated into : 1974 Forest of Dean

Official blazon:

Arms: Argent on a Pile wavy throughout Vert a Stag's Head caboshed between the attires a Port between two Towers Or on a Chief Sable three Crosses formy Gold.
Crest: Out of a Coronet composed of four Ears of Wheat and as many Acorns leaved alternately set upon a Rim Or a demi Bull guardant Gules ringed and a Line therefrom reflexed over the back Gold holding between the legs a Cogwheel Gold; Mantled Gules doubled Or.
Motto: 'TWIXT SEVERN AND WYE'.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on May 20, 1965.

The wavy green pile on white represents the shape of the district, between the rivers Severn and the Wye. The gold stag's head refers to the Royal Forest of Dean and the castle between its antlers is for St. Briavels Castle, in wihich the Court of Verderers was held as well as the court moot for the Hundred. The three gold crosses on black are from the arms of the Viscounts Bledisloes and refer to the many associations this family has with the District and also the Hundred of Bledisloe. The crosses can also represent the great monastic houses of Llanthony, Tintern and Bath.

The colours of the mantling red and gold are the same as the Gloucestershire County Council and the rural crown represents the area's agriculture and natural beauty. The red bull is from the heraldry of Lord Bledisloe and also symbolises agriculture, stock raising and ancillary rural industries. The golden cogwheel alludes to the prosperity brought to the District by newer industries.

The motto comes from the local verse 'Blest is the Eye, twixt Severn and Wye'

Parish Council

Unfortunately we have no information on the meaning or origin of these arms yet.

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Literature : Information from www.civicheraldry.co.uk.