St Thomas' Hospital

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	ST THOMAS' HOSPITAL Institutional Heraldry of the World : United Kingdom England

Official blazon
English	Arms : Argent, on a cross between in the first quarter a sword erect gules and in the second quarter a chough proper, a roach haurient of the first; on a chief azure a rose of the field, barbed and seeded proper, between two fleurs-de-lys Or. Crest: On a wreath of the colours, Between four spears, points upwards, sable, embrued gules, three Madonna lilies argent, stalked and leaved vert. Supporters: On the dexter side a chough, and on the sinister side a nightingale, both proper.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on February 14, 1950.

The cross and sword refer to the city of London. The two choughs (on the London arms and as a supporter, popularly know as the Becket bird) represent Thomas Becket after which the hospital is named.

The roach (a fresh water fish) shows the connection with the diocese of Winchester which provided much of the money needed by the hospital in it's early days.

The fleur-de-lis and Tudor rose symbolise in the chief the refounding in the reign of Edward VI.

The Nightingale bird is a canting element for Florence Nightingale and is a symbol for a hospital. It also represents the founding of the Nightingale training school within the hospital in 1860.

The spears in the crest represents Thomas the Apostle, who was speared to death.

Literature: Background by D. Mellor