Alfreton

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

ALFRETON (Urban district council)

Incorporated into : 1974 Amber Valley

Official blazon

Arms : Azure two Chevrons a Chief Or thereon two Crosiers in saltire Azure between two Cressets Sable fired proper.
Crest : Out of a Mural Crown Sable charged with three Trefoils slipped Argent a Mount Vert thereon between two Lozenges issuant Sable an Oak Tree proper fructed of five Acorns Or; Mantled Azure doubled Or.
Motto : 'EX TERRA VIRES' - Strength from the earth.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on January 10, 1963.

The two gold chevrons on blue are from the arms of the FitzRanulphs. The first charter for a market here was granted to William de Chaworth and Robert de Latham, heirs of Thomas FitzRanulph, during the reign of Henry III.

The crosiers refer to Beauchief Abbey founded by Robert FitzRanulph, Lord of Alfreton, about 1175 and bestowed on the house the churches of Norton and Alfreton.

The two black diamonds and flaming cressets or fire-baskets indicate the coal and iron mining industries so important in the development of the area. The gold acorns allude to the Oakes family prominent in Alfreton's industrial history.

Literature : Briggs, 1971 and here.