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BRAINTREE
Additions : 1974
Braintree RDC, Braintree & Bocking, Halstead RDC, Halstead UDC, Witham
Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on October 15, 1974.
The shield is derived from the arms of the two Braintree Councils (Rural and
Urban) and the Essex County Council. The two saxon swords or seaxes are the
arms of the County Council. The blue lions are from the Braintree Urban
District Arms and represent William de Sante Maris Bishop of London and the
Lord of the Manor of Braintree in the 12th Century. The black wave edged
with white represents the rivers Blackwater, Brain and CoIne.
The crest is based on that of the Halstead Urban District. The wheatsheaf on
the grassy mound shows the importance of agriculture. The blue boar Is from
the crest of the deVeres - a powerful Halstead family. The red Maltese crest
represents the Templars who held the manor at Witham.
The supporters are the black lions of Flanders alluding to the settlements
of Flemish weavers in the area. They hold shuttles in their mouths. Round
their neck are the white star badges of the deVeres with the green
Fleurs-de-Lis.
Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones
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