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Coats of arms

Northampton Coat of Arms

The arms of Northampton were first recorded in 1617. Two English lions stand either side of the castle keep representing the town's castle.

The motto is 'Castello Fortior Concordia' which means 'Peace is stronger than a fortress'.

Northamptonshire Coat of Arms

Northamptonshire’s coat of arms reflects the County’s well known association with the monarchy. The subtle use of the silver falcon at the top of the crest harks to the crest of Edward III and Edward IV who was linked to Northamptonshire through his marriage at Grafton Regis to Elizabeth Woodville, who was crowned in 1465. The symbol of the lock is also borrowed from this coat of arms.
 
The imposing images of the Black Bull and the White Hart together pay tribute to the County’s leather industry heritage. The Black Bull is from the coats of arms of the third son of Edward III while the White Hart is that of Richard II heir to Edward III and also represents the ancient royal forests of Rockingham, Salcey and Whittlebury and the Steel Industry.

Another striking part of the crest is the red and white wreath which was the livery of the House of Plantagenet. The two roses below it represent the two branches of Plantagenet – that of Lancaster and of York. This rose was used as an emblem of peace following the Wars of the Roses - a vital battle of which was fought in Northamptonshire. This finally joined together, through marriage, the houses of Lancaster represented by the red rose and of York represented by the white rose.

Perhaps the most renowned part of the crest is the Tudor rose. This rose also gives the crest its motto 'Rosa Concordiae Signum' which means 'The Rose – Emblem of Harmony'.

The Escallop shells on the crest show the influence of the Spencer Family on life in the County. The shells are included on the Spencer Family arms and also on the coats of arms of Princes William and Harry representing the arms of their late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.