Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom England

SAINT HELENS

Additions : 1974 Ashton-in-Makerfield, Billinge & Winstanley, Haydock, Newton-le-Willows, Rainford, Whiston (partly)

Origin/meaning :
The arms were officially granted on ??-??-????

The main design is based on the older arms of the Borough of St. Helens, see below. On the main shield a new item is the cross in the third quarter, which is the derived from the arms of the Pilkington family, and represents Windle. The cross in the fourth quarter represents Billinge.

The crest and sipporters are new addition to the arms. The crest above the helmet is that of Lord Newton representing Newton U.D.C. and Haydock U.D.C. The crest is suitably differenced by the inclusion of two red fleur de lys on the body of the Ram which is issuant out of a ducal crown of gold.

The supporters, a golden lion and a black griffin are differenced by 7 red fleur de lys on the lion and 7 gold and black bars on the wing of the griffin to denote the 7 constituent authorities which make up the Borough.

The motto "PROSPERITAS IN EXCELSIS" is taken from the Rainford Council badge of office and means "Flourishing Well".

Previously the council used the arms below:

These arms were granted on January 17, 1876.

The blue bars are from the arms of the Parr family, Marquises of Northampton, and the black cross is from those of the Ecclestons. The saltires are from the arms of the Gerards, in 1435, at Windleshaw, a chantry chapel was built and endowed by Sir Thomas Gerard. The griffins recall the Bold or Bould family.
The lion the is from the crest of the Walmsleys and the two fleurs-de-lys refer to Sir David Gamble, first Mayor and benefactor of the town, and the Haydock family.

Literature : Image provided by the St. Helens council : www.sthelens.gov.uk

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