Shepway
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom |
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SHEPWAY
Additions : 1974 Elham RDC, Folkestone, Hythe, Lydd, New Romney, Romney Marsh RDC
Official blazon
Arms : Per pale Gules and Azure an Ancient Ship with fighting top and mast ensigned by a Cross Patee Or the sail furled Argent in chief a demi Lion passant guardant dimidiated with the hulk of a Ship Or and on two Flaunches of the last six Roses Gules each charged with a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper.
Crest : On a Wreath Or Gules and Azure a Mount Vert thereon in front of a Pastoral Staff Or a demi double headed Eagle displayed Sable beaked Gold and charged on the breast with a Heart proper, Mantled Gules and Azure doubled Or.
Motto : 'AMOENITAS ET SALUBRITAS' - Delightfulness and Healthiness
Origin/meaning
The arms were officially granted on April 30, 1974.
The red and blue field and lion-ship are taken from the arms of the Cinque Ports. All four of the merged boroughs were members of the Corporation of the Cinque Ports. The main charge is an ancient ship, which occurred in the ancient seals of each of the four towns. The flanks bear six Tudor roses. This represents the six merged councils. Roses were used as Shepway is part of Kent - known as The Garden Of England.
The crest wreath and mantling are in red, blue and gold, and combines the livery colour of all the merged boroughs. The grassy mount in the crest is for the rural areas of Shepway. The rest of the crest is taken from Folkestone's arms. The black double headed eagle is from the attributed arms of Julius Caesar (Compare with Wimbledon), who landed near Folkestone according to a baseless legend.
The gold crosier is for St. Eanswyth, founder of Folkestone Nunnery. The heart is for the physician, Dr. William Harvey, born in Folkestone.
The motto - AMOENITAS ET SALUBRITAS (Delightfulness and Healthiness) -is adapted from Folkestone's. It refers to the delightfulness of the scenery and the healthiness of the locality.
Literature : Information provided by Lawrence Jones.