WARWICK BOROUGH
Incorporated into : 1974 Warwick (District)
Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted in 1964, but are practically identical to the ancient seal of the Borough, which was recorded at the heraldic visitations to the county of Warwickshire in 1619 and 1682. This design appears to have been in use since the incorporation of Warwick in 1545.
The common seal showed a walled town with towered gateway, with two outer
towers from which watchmen were winding their horns and two inner towers
with spires. On the middle tower was an inecutcheon bearing a ragged staff,
and at the top of the seal were a six pointed star and a crescent moon.
When the arms were formally granted the field was fixed as sable, and the
other charges as argent, save the watchmen's clothing and the inescutcheon
which were made gules.
A crest was added, the famous Warwickshire (as found in the Warwickshire
County Council arms) emblem of the bear and ragged staff, here coloured
black.
The motto is ANTIQUUM OBTINENS or Holding Fast to Tradition.
Literature : Information provided by Laurence Jones
coats of arms on-line ! 
