BEDFORD (Borough council)
From 1974-1992 North Bedfordshire Borough council
Origin/meaning :
Bedford uses both arms, the left arms are the proper arms, the right arms are often used as a badge, i.e. without a shield. The arms with the eagle are used more widely however.
Both arms were recorded in 1566 and have been used since.
The castle on the eagle is taken from the oldest known seal of Bedford, dating from the 15th century. The second seal also showed the castle, but flanked by two salamanders. It also dates from the 14th century. The eagle and castle appear on the seals in 1836, but as mentioned above, are used as arms since at least 1566.
The meaning of both arms is not known. The left arms may be derived from a banner, the right may be derived from the arms of the last member of the Beauchamp family, Lords of Bedford, who was killed in 1265.
Literature : The arms and seals of the borough of North bedfordshire, published by the council in 1978.
coats of arms on-line ! 
