Saint Albans

From Heraldry of the World
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Logo-new.jpg
Heraldry of the World
United Kingdom.jpg
British heraldry portal
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom
Unitedkingdom-flag.gif

  • Overseas possessions
  • Total pages in the British section : 16,285
  • Total images in the British section : 3

SAINT ALBANS

Additions : 1974 Saint Albans RDC (partly), Harpenden UDC

Arms (crest) of Saint Albans

Official blazon

Arms : Azure a Saltire Or.
Crest : Issuant from a Mural Crown Or a demi Figure of a Knight armed of the period circa 1215 holding in the dexter hand a Sword erect and in the sinister hand a Roll of Parchment proper.
Supporters : On the dexter side an Abbot in Liturgical Vestments and Plain Mitre and supporting with the exterior hand a Crozier on the sinister side a Figure representing John the Printer and holding in the exterior hand an Ink-ball, the whole upon a Compartment per pale of a Ploughed Field and Cobbles all proper.

Origin/meaning

The arms (shield only) were recorded in 1634 and certified (but not granted) in 1951, the complete arms as shown above were granted in 1974.

The golden saltire is the attributed arms of the Kingdom of Mercia. King Offa of Mercia founded St. Albans abbey on the site of his martyrdom. Tradition has it that from that date the Mercian arms were granted to the town.

In 1974 the supporters and crest were added. The crest has the figure of a baron holding the Magna Carta, which has associations with St. Albans.

The dexter supporter is a mitred abbot. The abbots once governed the town. The sinister supporter is a printer, as the town was an early centre of the industry.

Image gallery


Contact and Support

Partners:

Your logo here ?
Contact us



© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink Ralf Hartemink arms.jpg
Index of the site

Literature: Information provided by Laurence Jones (laurencejones@eircom.net)