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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom
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ISLINGTON
Borough of London
Additions : 1965 Finsbury
Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on May 2, 1901.
The first quarter is the cross of the order of St. John of Jeruzalem, a religious order, who owned a large part of Islington and surroundings. The second quarter is taken from the crest of Sir George Colebrooke, whose family owned the Manor of Highbury. The third quarter is taken from the arms of Sir John Spencer, who owned the Manor of Canonbury in the 16th century. The fourth quarter is taken from the arms of the Berners family, who came with William the Conqueror. The family owned large lands in Islington.
Following the merger of Finsbury and Islington in 1965 new arms were granted
on February 3, 1966.
The lower part of the shield is for Finsbury. The silver and blue wavy field
refers to the River Thames and the New River.
The Maltese Cross is taken
from the insignia of the Order of St. John. The Order's headquarters were at
St. John's Gate. The open book is for Charterhouse School.
The chief is for Islington. The water bouget comes from the arms of the
Berners family. The arrow recalls the long tradition of archery in
Islington, when it was an open area north of London.
Literature : Scott-Giles, C.W. : Civic heraldry of England and Wales, London, 1932; new image provided by Laurence Jones
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