Christchurch (England)

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

CHRISTCHURCH

Additions : 1974 Ringwood and Fordingbridge RDC (partly)

Official blazon

Arms : Ermine on a Chevron Gules debruising a Pall Azure a Cross formy between two Salmon naiant respectant Or.
Crest : Issuant from a Mural Crown Or charged with a Chi Rho Monogram Sable a representation of the upper storey of the Tower of Christchurch Priory proper; Mantled Azure doubled Or.
Supporters : On either side a Lion guardant per fess Or and Azure crowned with a Saxon Crown Azure and resting the interior hind paw on the Stump of an Oak Tree eradicated and leaved proper.
Motto : 'FOR FIDELITY AND FREEDOM'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on 15 December 1970.

The arms comprise an ermine background which refers to the fact that Christchurch was an early Royal Borough in the time of King Alfred, a blue palium representing the confluence of the Rivers Avon and Stour and a red chevron alludes to the ancient bridge over the River Avon and to the Bailey Bridge, which was first designed and originally produced at the Military Experimental Bridging Establishment in Barrack Road by Sir Donald Bailey.

The salmon on the chevron are for the important ancient fishing industry. The towns close association with the Priory Church is shown by the cross form at the apex of the chevron and by the crest, which shows the North face of the West Tower of the Priory Church placed in a mural crown, denoting the status of Municipal Borough, with the Chi-Rho monogram which means Christ, Greek letters used since Roman times.The supporters are the lions of England (gold) and Redvers (blue) - half and half, the earliest charter of the Borough being granted by Baldwin de Redvers. They wear Saxon crowns to refer to the Saxon origins of the Borough and rest their hind paws on tree stumps, to show the proximity of the New Forest.

Literature : Information and image provided by the Christchurch Council.