LEICESTERSHIRE

Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on 25 January 1930.

The first quarter shows a cinquefolium of ermine, taken from the arms of the Beaumont family. Robert de Beaumont became in 1103 the first Earl of Leicester. The flower also forms part of the arms of Leicester city. In 1206 Simon de Montfort inherited the title of Earl of Leicester and the two-tailed lion of his arms is shown in the second quarter.
The third quarter is taken from the badge of John of Gaunt, Earl of Leicester in the 15^th century.
The fourth quarter shoes a black maunch, or sleeve of a medieval lady's dress. It was the badge of the Hastings family, who built several castles in the county.

The supporters represent the two main industries of the county for many centuries, a bull for grazing and a ram for the wool production. The bull wears a ducal crown, as several Earls of Leicester were also Dukes of Lancaster.

The fox represents the fox hunting which started in the area in 1690.

A hazel leaf to th eleft of the motto commemorates the services of Lord Hazlerigg as Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire from 1925-1949. The martlet on the other side is taken from the arms of Sir Robert Martin, Chairman of the County Council from 1924-1960.