Heraldry of the World
|
Heraldry of the World The largest heraldry site on the net, with presently |
|
CHRISTCHURCHAdditions : 1974 Ringwood & Fordingbridge (partly)
Origin/meaning :
The arms comprise an ermine background which refers to the fact that Christchurch was an early Royal Borough in the time of King Alfred, a blue palium representing the confluence of the Rivers Avon and Stour and a red chevron alludes to the ancient bridge over the River Avon and to the Bailey Bridge, which was first designed and originally produced at the Military Experimental Bridging Establishment in Barrack Road by Sir Donald Bailey. The towns close association with the Priory Church is shown by the cross form at the apex of the chevron and by the crest, which shows the North face of the West Tower of the Priory Church placed in a mural crown, denoting the status of Municipal Borough, with the Chi-Rho monogram which means Christ, Greek letters used since Roman times. The supporters are the lions of England (gold) and Redvers (blue) - half and half, the earliest charter of the Borough being granted by Baldwin de Redvers. They wear Saxon crowns to refer to the Saxon origins of the Borough and rest their hind paws on tree stumps, to show the proximity of the New Forest. Literature : Information and image provided by the Christchurch Council. |
|
Home © Ralf Hartemink 1996, -> See also my other sites Food-Info.net and Food Dictionary |
coats of arms on-line ! 
