Forest of Dean

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

FOREST OF DEAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

Additions : 1974 East Dean Rural District, Gloucester Rural District (partly), Lydney Rural District, Newent Rural District, West Dean Rural District

Official blazon:
Arms: Vert in chief an Oak Tree couped of five branches each having two leaves and fructed of one acom and in base a Stag's Head caboshed the attires each of five tynes all Or all between two Flaunches Argent on each three Bars wavy Azure.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours out of a Mural Crown Or charged with six Horseshoes three being manifest Sable a demi figure representing an ancient Forest of Dean Miner capped and habited Sable in his mouth a stick transfixing a Candle enflamed proper holding in the dexter hand a Pick erect and carrying over the sinister shoulder a Hod of Coal also proper.
Motto 'TWIXT SEVERN AND WYE'.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on October 6, 1975.

The arms are green with a tree and stag's head to symbolise the name of the district as well as the many forests and animals in the area. Part of the district was a Royal hunting forest. The tree has five branches, one for each of the five rural areas in the district. The shield is flanked with the Wye and Severn rivers, which border the district.

The horseshoes on the crest are taken from the arms of Gloucestershire, of which the district is part. Historically there was an important iron industry in the district. The forest miner forms the main part of the crest, symbolising the coal and iron mining.

Literature : Information provided by the Forest of Dean council.