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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom England

Additions : 1974 the towns of Abergavenny, Chepstow, Monmouth and Usk, the Rural Districts of Abergavenny, Chepstow and most of the Pontypool Rural District.
Incorporated into : 1996 Monmouthshire

Origin/meaning :
The two red piles are an allusion to the Wye Valley, the Brecon Beacons - the "valley" between two mountains. Garbs of cereal have been placed about the shield in allusion to the importance of agriculture to the area. The colours are significant, the gold referring to the intrinsic worth and wealth of the area, the red to the effort required before potential wealth and excellence can be realised.

The crest consists of a stylised castle rising from an antique Royal crown. This refers to the many famous castles in the area with the crown referring to the fact that one of them, Monmouth Castle, was the birth place of King Henry V.

The supporters are a Welsh pony and a ram. The ram supports a Prior's Bourdon in allusion to the celebrated religious house of the Augustan Canons, Llanthony (usually referred to as Llanthony Abbey whereas it was in actual fact a priory). The crosier supported on the Welsh pony is that of an Abbot - the veil hanging down on the crosier indicates this and refers to the Cistercian Abbey of Tintern.

Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones (laurencejones@eircom.net)

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