Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely

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CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND ISLE OF ELY

Additions: 1965 Cambridgeshire, Isle of Ely
Incorporated into: 1972 Cambridgeshire

Official blazon

Arms : Or a double Tressure flory counterflory Gules over all on a Bend wavy Azure three [open] Crowns Or; the shield ensigned with a Mural Crown Or.
Supporters : On either side a Great Bustard proper the exterior leg resting on a closed Book Gules garnished Or.
Motto: 'SAPIENTES SIMUS' - Let us be men of understanding

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on September 1, 1965.

The wavy blue band across the shield refers to the River Cam, which apart from being a geographical feature was for long important as a trade route and a source of prosperity. The three golden crowns are from the of arms of the Isle of Ely CC. Forming a border on the shield are double lines set with fleurs-de-lis; this is derived from the Royal Arms of Scotland because the Earldom of the shire was held by Kings of Scotland in the twelfth century. Above the shield is a mural crown, a common symbol of civic government.

The two supporting birds are Great Bustards, now extinct in Britain. It is claimed that this county formed their last English habitat; it is interesting to note that Wiltshire also claims the last associations with these magnificent birds and shows one in its Arms. Each bird stands on a book as an allusion to the University of Cambridge.

The motto applies both to the community attitude of the area and to the significance of the part played by education throughout it.