Reading (Berkshire): Difference between revisions

consider that they stood for the first two letters of the name of the town. As their first known use was in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, some consider that they stood for Regina Elizabetha. Their re-introduction in the

present Borough Arms may also be regarded as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, in whose coronation year these new arms were granted.

The crest and supporters were granted by the College of Heralds in 1953. The crest is an Abbot's mitre encircled at its base by alternating gold escallop shells and lyres. The mitre commemorates the once magnificent Reading Abbey; the escallop shells (once used as badges by pilgrims) represent the pilgrims or palmers who came there: the lyres are symbolic of the Abbey's musical fame.

The shield is supported by two white rams with golden horns and hooves. They represent the early wool trade of Reading. The ram on the left-hand side of the shields bears a portcullis on its shoulder, which represents the Borough. The sign on the shoulder of the other ram represents two springs, symbolic of the rivers Thames and Kennet, which flow through Reading. The Motto is: A Deo et Regina (With God and Queen).

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|align="center"|[[File:reading.haguk.jpg|center|Arms of {{PAGENAME}}]]  <br/>The arms in the [[Coffee Hag albums]] +/- 1925  

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