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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom England BRISTOL Incorporated into : 1974 Avon (1996 Bath and North East Somerset ) Origin/meaning : The arms are based on the early seals of Bristol, from which the ship and castle theme (signifying a strongly fortified harbour) developed. The shield was in use from about the 14th century, and to this was added in 1569 supporters (the two unicorns) and the crest (two arms rising from the clouds holding scales and a serpent). The significance of these various items is recorded in the City Audit Books of this time:- the Unicorns will only do homage to men of virtue; the arms in the crest signify that good government depends on wisdom (the serpent) and justice (the scales) and that these are divine gifts from above. The seal of Bristol around 1300. The seal of Bristol from the first half of the 14th century. The seal of Bristol from the mid 14th century. Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.; Ewe, 1972

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