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The
coat of arms for colchester were granted in 1976, augmenting
the traditional arms (see below) with a crest, motto and
supporters.
The crest depicts St. Helena and the supporters refer to the
town's Roman connections and local industries. The style of the
crowns on the shield was also changed from ducal to ancient
crowns.
Colcheste
Council, however , mainly still uses the old arms.
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. These are not registered with the College
of arms but are obviously very ancient.
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