Metropolitan Asylums Board

METROPOLITAN ASYLUMS BOARD (1867-1930)

Official blazon

English

Arms: Argent, on a cross gules, the rod of Æsculapius or, a bordure engrailed sable.
CRest: Issuant from a celestial crown gules, a demi-figure representing St Luke or.

Official blazon
English	Arms: On the dexter side, an eagle, the wings elevated erminois gorged with a collar composed of roses alternately gules and argent; and on the sinister side a dragon pean gorged with a collar, affixed thereto a chain reflexed over the back or. Motto: Miseris succurrere disco.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted in 1914.

On the central white shield rests the St. George's cross, representing the red cross of medicine and ambulance work, and in the centre of the cross is the golden staff of Æsculapius, the founder of the art of healing.

On the dexter side is an eagle, the bird of health and strength, wreathed with red and white roses, recalling the Wars of the Roses, which began in the Temple Gardens adjoining the chief offices of the Board.

On the sinister side is a chained dragon symbolising disease held in check..

Arising out of a celestial crown above the shield, and forming the chief feature of the design, is a demi-figure of St. Luke, the Christian healer, somewhat similar to the design which has been in use for a seal since the establishment of the Board in 1867.

On the scroll b~low the design is the motto, Miseris succurrere disco, meaning "I learn to bring healing to them that are sick.

Literature: Image from Fox Davies, 1916 (coloured by Andrew Gray), background from a leaflet from the board, 1930.

United Kingdom heraldry portal

This page is part of the United Kingdom heraldry portal	Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry: National arms of United Kingdom Arms of Counties Arms of cities and towns Heraldry in England Heraldry in Scotland Heraldry in Wales Heraldry in Northern Ireland Channel Islands Overseas possessions Heraldic literature of United Kingdom Total pages non military heraldry in the United Kingdom section : 8,936 of which images : 6,466 Total pages in the military heraldry of the United Kingdom section : 7,919 of which images : 4,178	Other heraldry: Ecclesiastical heraldry Military heraldry Educational heraldry Institutional heraldry Corporate heraldry Heraldic postcards Heraldic stamps Personal arms