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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom
England
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CLITHEROE
Incorporated into : 1974 : Ribble Valley
The arms are continued by the town council
Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on February 20, 1952.
The castle, representing the old fortress built on a limestone rock beside the River Ribble, has long been used as an emblem by the town. The castle in the arms follows very closely the desicription of the old Corporation Seal of the Borough.
The white lion's head is from the arms of the Monk family, who were Dukes of Albermarle. General Monk received the lordship from Charles II. The golden crescents are from the arms of the Scott family, who were Dukes of Buccleuch and the pierced mullets are from the arms of the Assheton family. The present head of the Assheton family is Lord Clitheroe of Downham, Lord of the Honour of Clitheroe.
The purple lions are taken from the arms of the de Lacy family, who built the Castle and from whom the town received a charter. The red roses denote the de Lacy connection as Earls of Lincoln with the House of Lancaster and are a general emblem of the County.
The motto reflects the derivation of the name "Clitheroe" from the Celtic "Cled-dwr" - the hill or rock by the water - to which the Saxon "How" - hill - has been added.
Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones.
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