One of the heraldic shields in the stained-glass window of the Great Hall in the Aston Webb building of the University of Birmingham.
The south window was designed by Thomas Ralph Spence (1855-1913) and was installed 1908. There are 53 lights in all, focusing on the arms of the University itself, with the shields of the Midland counties above it, so that, as elsewhere, the decorative motifs "expressed the conviction that there was a symbiosis between the University and the region". Benefactors' arms are shown as well. (
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The shield of the University of Birmingham's ‘Official Blazon is shown below:
Per chevron, the chief per pale gules and azure, in dexter a lion rampant with two heads, in sinister a mermaid holding in the dexter hand a mirror and in the sinister a comb Or, the base sable charged with an open book proper, with two buckles and straps and edges of the third, inscribed "Per ardua ad alta". (
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The lion and the mermaid featured on the arms of Mason Science College and the arms of Sir Josiah Mason the founder of the College in 1875. Mason Science College was the precursor and nucleus of the University of Birmingham. (
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The open book is a common symbol for universities and schools. The motto "Per ardua ad alta" means "Through hardship, great heights are reached". (
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The University of Birmingham
The University shield depicts a mermaid holding a mirror and a comb and a double headed lion both symbols of the Mason family and Mason Science College. These are painted in gold upon fields of red and blue, the colours of the University. The shield also includes an open book, representing the University’s royal charter, granted by Queen Victoria in 1900. Upon its pages the University motto is inscribed, Per Ardua ad Alta: Through effort, to high things.
The window is 'flanked by massive organ pipes and fine woodwork of the original organ cases...A late insertion, this was donated by Sir John Holder in May 1907...T.R. Spence designed the window and it has fifty-three light. The focus, as with the north front, is the University shield. Above it, in the spandrels, we find shields of the six Midland counties on either side of a full achievement of the arms of the City of Birmingham. The window, in other words, takes up the theme of civic commitment to the Midlands University announced by the entrance front, and this was emphasised by a display of county banners down the hall on either side. The other central lights speak of private support: at the top the Calthorpe arms and Sir John Holder's own shield at the bottom, below a woman holding
the Chamberlain crest.' 'The First Civic University: Birmingham 1880-1980, An Introductory History' by Eric Ives, Diane Drummond, Leonard Schwarz (ISBN: 1-902459-07-5)