Waltham Holy Cross

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WALTHAM HOLY CROSS

Incorporated into : 1974 Epping Forest

Official blazon

Arms : Argent on a Cross engrailed Sable a Lion's Face between four Crosses bottonnée Or.
Crest :Out of a Coronet composed of six Fleurs-de-Lys set upon a Rim Or a demi-Stag at gaze proper charged on the shoulder with a Fountain and holding in the mouth a Seaxe the blade Argent the hilt and pommel Or mantled Gules doubled Argent.
Motto: 'SANCTAE NOMINE CRUCIS' - The Holy Cross by name.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on November 9, 1956.

The town of Waltham was traditionally founded by Tovi or Tofig, when he built a wooden church to house the miracle-working crucifix (The Holy Cross) discovered on his estate in Somerset. The wooden church was later replaced by one of stone by Earl (later King) Harold, who was traditionally buried here after the Battle of Hastings. Harold's association with the town is recalled by the lion's face from the arms attributed to him. In 1184 the Priory founded in 1177 by Henry II on the site of Harold's church, as part of his penance for his role in the murder of Thomas Becket, was replaced by an Abbey. The Abbey, from whose arms the black cross on white is taken, grew to become one of the richest in Essex and held extensive lands from the 12^th century until it was the last abbey to be dissolved in 1540.

The modern Epping Forest, which was formerly known as Waltham Forest and covers a large area of the parish, is represented by the stag and the crown, an indication that it was a royal hunting preserve. The River Lea, which forms the western boundary and the King George V Reservoir are represented by the fountain, an heraldic symbol for water. The seaxe and the red and white of the mantling are from the arms of the Essex County Council, these colours are also the liveries of the Corporation of London, present controllers of Epping Forest.

The arms are presently used by the Waltham Abbey town council