Skipton

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SKIPTON (urban district council)

Incorporated into : 1974 Craven

Official blazon

Arms : Vert a Fleece Or between in chief two Roses Argent barbed and seeded proper a Chief chequy Or and Azure.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours A Wyvern sejant Gules supporting a Staff proper flying therefrom a Banner barry of eight Or and also Gules thereon a Port between two Towers Argent.
Motto: 'INDUSTRIA ET SPE' - Labour and hope

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on October 12, 1951.

The green background portrays the nature of the town's surroundings - countryside and agriculture and the fleece represents the town's close interest in agriculture and textiles, and is indicative of the origin of the name Skipton (" scip " or " sceap "). The checks are taken from the arms of the Clifford family, who had a profound influence on the life of Skipton in their time, and the roses are symbolic of Skipton as a Yorkshire town.

The wyvern is also from the crest of the Cliffords and the bars on the banner represents the de Romille family in whose arms it appeared. Robert de Romille is believed to have founded the Church and the Castle in the 11^th century. The Castle is shown to indicate that Skipton is a Castle town.