Oxford

OXFORD

Official blazon

Arms: Argent an Ox Gules armed and unguled Or passing over a Ford of Water in base barry wavy Azure and Argent.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours a demi Lion rampant guardant Azure crowned with an Imperial Crown proper holding between the paws a Rose Gules charged with another Argent.
Supporters: On the dexter side an Elephant Ermines eared Argent tusked Or collared and lined Or and on the sinister side a Beaver Vert its tail barry wavy [= scaly] Azure and Argent ducally gorged and lined Or.
Motto: 'FORTIS EST VERITAS' - Strong is truth

Origin/meaning

The arms were not officially granted, but recorded at the Visitation of August 12, 1634.

The arms are based on the 14^th century seal of the city and are canting, an ox fording a river.

The significance of the supporters is unknown. The beaver probably refers to the River Thames, but also appears in the arms of a family associated with the city's history, as does the elephant. The beaver is also shown regularly as a fox, see f.e. the cigarette card below.

The crest shows the English lion and the Royal rose.

Image gallery

arms dated 1866 on the wall of the Council Chamber in the Town Hall (source)
The arms as used on a JaJa postcard +/- 1905
The arms on a Wills's cigarette card, 1906
The arms in an album from +/- 1910
The arms in the Abadie albums, 1930s
The arms in the Kurmark album, 1930s
The arms in the Abdulla album, 1930s
The arms on a Tuck postcard, +/- 1905
The arms in the Coffee Hag albums +/- 1925
The arms on a postcard, 1920s (?)
The arms on a Reddings tea card

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