Ivegate Arch Coat of Arms – Bradford, UK - Coats of Arms on Waymarking.com

This arch is in the position of the oldest part of the city. As you walk through it you start to climb up the hill along Ivegate into the main shopping area. On top of the arch is this gold coloured coat of arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Bradford.

The arch has two panels with many symbols representing many aspects of Bradford culture.

Metropolitan boroughs were introduced in 1974, as part of a reform of local council authorities. In this development various local councils were amalgamated into single large councils for more efficient administration purposes.

The coat of arms is described below.

A shield has a mural crown, symbol of local government; on top which itself has boar’s head on top. On the shield are 2 hunting horns and a woollen fleece. In the middle is a heraldic fountain, representing a spring which was on the site of what is now Bradford Cathedral. Supporting the shield are an Angora Goat and a stag. The goat and stag are standing on fields.

The goat and stag are wearing collars with white roses on them, and the shield is surrounded by another 11 white roses.

White roses are a symbol of the County of Yorkshire, and the 11 on the shield represent the 11 local councils merged into the Bradford Metropolitan Area.

The green fields represent the rural nature of the area outside Bradford, and the fact there are 2 nearby National Parks.

The Bradford City coat of arms originally had a white Angora Goat and a black ram to represent the wool trade. The black ram was replaced by a stag to reflect the importance of Denholme and Keighley from their heraldry. Denholme and Keighley were 2 of the larger councils in the merger with Bradford.

The boar’s head and hunting horns refer to the legend dating back the 14tch Century. A dangerous boar was terrorising the local populace of Cliffe Wood. A reward of a piece of land was offered by John of Gaunt, the Earl of Lancaster, to anyone who killed the boar.

The deed was done by a lone hunter but the boar was too heavy to carry. He cut out the tongue as proof of what he had done. However someone else found the body, cut off the head and took that as proof of his kill. The 2nd hunter actually tried to claim the land first, but the arrival of the original hunter with the tongue ensured that the rightful person got the prize.

However in order to keep the land It is said that it was necessary to blow a hunting horn in the market on St. Martin’s day. It seems unlikely that this alone would secure a piece of land. A more likely story is that at that time travel was dangerous and people would offer to provide protection to travellers from outside the area. This service was announced by the blowing of the horn. In the case of Bradford the specific requirement was to provide an escort to John of Gaunt whilst travelling to the castle at Ripon.

The inscription at the bottom of the shield, ‘Progress Industry Humanity’ reflecting Bradford’s industrial heritage, and it’s attempts to progress into the future. Humanity reflects that Bradford has declared itself a City of Peace in 1997, its centennial year.

Bearer of Coat of Arms: Town Full name of the bearer: Metropolitan Borough of Bradford Where is Coat of Arms installed (short description) ?: On top of an arch that leads up Ivegate into the city centre. Material / Design: Cast metal Address: Ivegate Bradford West Yorkshire United Kingdom Web page about the bearer of Coat of Arms (if exists): [Web Link] Blazon (heraldic description): Not listed Web page about the structure where is Coat of Arms installed (if exists): Not listed

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