Armorial Bearings of Chester

 

Chester's present armorial bearings were granted by the College of Arms in 1977 and are based upon arms originally granted to Chester during the reign of Elizabeth I in 1580.  

 

The Shield -  The Shield combines the arms of England and the arms of the Earldom of Chester - three gold lions on red, halved with three gold wheatsheaves on blue. The gold border shows eight acorns, representing the rural areas surrounding the city. These were once covered with oak forests, some of which still stand.

 

Lion and Wolf - The supporters are the gold lion of England and the white wolf of Hugh Lupus, the first Norman Earl of Chester. The pendant red castles refer to the historic strongholds in the rural areas, such as Chester, Beeston and Shotwick Castles.

 

Chester City Sword - The crest features the Chester City sword entwined with two oak branches. These represent the three former local authorities which were combined in 1974 to form the present City of Chester.

 

Motto  The motto 'Antiqui Colant Antiquum Dierum', has been used by the City for some 400 years. It means 'Let the Ancients worship the Ancient of Days'.