Town Coat of Arms on the City Hall – Bradford, UK - Coats of Arms on Waymarking.com

The building town hall was started in 1870 and completed in 1873.

The coat of arms consists of shield with a boar’s head on top. On the shield are 3 hunting horns and in the middle what is either a spring or a castle depending on who you believe.

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 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.

There is some debate about whether the object in the middle of the shield is the Castle of Ripon, or signifies a spring at Bradford Beck on the site of what is now Bradford Cathedral.

The inscription at the bottom of the shield, ‘labor omnia vincit’ is loosely translated as hard work conquers all, reflecting Bradford’s industrial heritage.

Bearer of Coat of Arms: Town Full name of the bearer: Bradford City Where is Coat of Arms installed (short description) ?: It is over a door at the corner of Norfolk Gardens and Bridge Street, Material / Design: Stone Address: City Hall Doorway Corner of Norfolk Gardens and Bridge Street Bradford United Kingdom BD1 1HY Web page about the structure where is Coat of Arms installed (if exists): [Web Link] Web page about the bearer of Coat of Arms (if exists): [Web Link] Blazon (heraldic description): Not listed

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