Colchester Coat-of-Arms - Cowdray Crescent, Colchester, UK
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Master Mariner
N 51° 53.397 E 000° 54.255
31U E 355780 N 5750874
Cowdray Crescent extends in a north east to south west direction outside Castle Park in Colchester. At each end of the crescent is a stone pillar that is topped by a bronze lion supporting a shield upon which is the coat-of-arms of Colchester.
Waymark Code: WMRHNF
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/23/2016
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Olii05
Views: 1

The photos and co-ordinates are for the lion at the north east end of Cowdray Crescent. The lions are estimated to be around 75% life-size. The lion is shown stood on its hind legs with a shield in front of it on which is the coat-of-arms of Colchester. The front right paw is resting on top of the shield and the front left paw is resting on the left edge of the shield. The lion's head is in the air and its mouth is open as if letting out a roar. The lion's tail is curled upwards along its back.

The Heraldry of the World website tells us about the coat-of-arms of the town of Colchester:

Official blazon

Gules a Cross raguly couped proper the arms joined in fylfot between two Ducal Coronets in chief Or the bottom part of the cross enfiled with a Ducal Coronet of the last beneath each coronet a Nail of the first each piercing the cross.

Origin/meaning

These are not registered with the College of arms but are obviously very ancient.

The coat of arms first appeared on the Royal Charter granted by Henry V in 1413. The red represents the blood of Christ; the green cross, the living cross of Saint Helena; the three crowns, the three Kings from the Nativity Story; and the nails holding the three crowns, the nails which held Christ to the cross.

St. Helena was traditionally born in Colchester in the 3rd Century AD. In the early fourth century she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and discovered the true cross growing as a tree at Golgotha. Later she is said to have discovered relics of the Magi, now in Cologne (Köln) Cathedral. Three crowns also appear in the arms of Cologne.

The arms were altered at the time of reformation so as not to appear idolatrous. The living cross was changed to two white ragged staves and the nails were removed. These arms were confirmed in 1558 and recorded in use in 1634. The town council reverted to the original arms in 1915.

Bearer of Coat of Arms: Town

Full name of the bearer: Colchester

Where is Coat of Arms installed (short description) ?:
Please refer to the detailed description.


Material / Design: Cast metal

Blazon (heraldic description):
Please refer to the detailed description.


Address:
Cowdray Crescent Colchester Essex United Kingdom


Web page about the bearer of Coat of Arms (if exists): [Web Link]

Web page about the structure where is Coat of Arms installed (if exists): Not listed

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