HIGHWORTH RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Per saltire Vert and Gules a Saltire Argent between in chief a Mute Swan rousant proper in base a Tower Argent and in fess two Hammers erect Or. Motto 'MAGNI CONSILIUM PRETII' - Wisdom is of high worth. |
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The swan, often used as an emblem of rivers, recalls the River Thames in the north. The tower represents the ancient forts of Liddington Castle and Barbury Castle in the south. In the flanks of the shield the engineering and steel industries are symbolized by a background of fiery red and two gold hammers which also recall the "hammerman poet" Alfred Williams. |
SALISBURY AND WILTON RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL |
ARMS: Barry Or and Vert three Lions rampant Argent on a Chief of the second a Coronet composed of four Ears of Wheat and as many Acorns leaved alternately set upon a Rim Gold. Motto 'UNITY IS STRENGTH'. |
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The gold bars are from the arms of the City of Salisbury and the green bars are from the arms of the Wiltshire County Council. The white lions from the arms of the Earls of Pembroke and Montgomery, who are seated at Wilton House, represent Wilton. The crown specially designed for Rural Councils, is composed of wheat-ears and acorns for rural industry and natural beauty. |
SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL (former) |
ARMS: Quarterly per fesse nebuly Azure and Gules a Pile Argent thereon three Crescents of the second in the first quarter three Castles one and two of the third in the second a Mitre Or in the third and a winged Wheel of the last in the fourth a Chief also of the third thereon a Locomotive Engine proper. Motto 'SALUBRITAS ET INDUSTRIA' - Health and industry. |
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The Great Western Railway engine 'Lord of the Isles' speaks for itself as alluding to the industry to which Swindon owes its rise. The three silver crescents are a prominint feature in the arms of the Goddard family, who have held the Manor of Swindon since 1560, and indicates the close connection of the Goddard Manor with the Borough of Swindon. The three castles are likewise a prominent feature in the arms of the Vilett family, who for a long period held the Manor upon which a considerable portion of New Swindon was built. The mitre symbolises Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, who after the Norman Conquest was granted the Manor of Swindon by his half-brother, William the Conqueror. The winged wheel denotes motion, or the swiftness of railway travelling. This quarter may be taken to represent modern Swindon. |
THAMESDOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL |
ARMS: Vert a Castle of three towers between three Crescents Argent a Chief barry wavy of four Azure and Argent. Motto 'SALUBRITAS ET INDUSTRIA' - Health and industry. The Borough of Thamesdown was formed by the amalgamation of the former Borough of Swindon and the Highworth Rural District. It was abolished on 1st April 1997, when a new unitary authority, which reverted to the name Swindon, was created to cover its area. |
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The background of the shield symbolizes the name Thamesdown, with the green of the downs and countryside surrounding Swindon and Highworth. The four waves of blue and silver represent the River Thames in the north of the district. The three-towered castle and three crescents are derived from the arms of the Goddard and Vilett families, manorial owners in Swindon. In the former Borough of Swindon arms the three crescents were shown in the reverse of their actual colouring to appear red on silver, whereas in the Goddard arms they are silver on red. The Viletts were represented in the Swindon Arms by three castles of two towers each. One of these castles is shown in the Thamesdown arms, with an extra tower - that from the base of the Highworth RDCarms - representing ancient strongholds in the area. |
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