The armorial of British universities is the collection of coats of arms of universities in the United Kingdom. Modern arms of universities began appearing in England around the middle of the 15th century, with Oxford's being possibly the oldest university arms in the world, being adopted (prior to the establishment of the College of Arms) around the end of the 14th century. The earliest granting of university arms was to King's College Cambridge by Henry VI in 1449. Arms are granted in respect of England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the College of Arms and, for Scotland, by the Lyon Court. It has been suggested that new universities register arms in an attempt to appear more traditional or legitimate. As corporations, older university arms have historically been granted without a crest, however newer institutions use crests with mantling, including new colleges at older universities. The first crest granted to a university was to Leeds in 1905 while the first British university to be granted supporters was Sussex in 1962, although both Oxford and Cambridge have used angels as supporters and Cambridge has used the 'alma mater' emblem as a crest without these components being officially granted.
University and college arms often incorporate, or are simply copies of, arms of their founders or local authorities. At collegiate universities, constituent colleges may bear their own arms, such as at Cambridge and Oxford. Many older coats of arms were recorded by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies in The Book of Public Arms in 1915, which also recorded some coats of arms of constituent colleges, and by John Woodward in A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Heraldry in 1894. Most university mottos are not granted with the coats of arms, instead being added by custom by the institution, an exception to this being the arms of Imperial College London. Those universities in Ireland that existed prior to independence from the United Kingdom were granted arms along the lines of other British universities; these are listed separately below.
An open book (referencing historically the Christian Bible) as a symbol of 'wisdom', 'knowledge' or 'learning' is common to many arms. The Sun, a flaming torch or a lamp representing enlightenment features often, as do a wheatsheaf symbolising growth and an owl representing wisdom. A martlet, representing strenuous effort, is sometimes found. Keys in the form of crossed keys, pairs of keys or a single key held by a beast are also common to several university arms. The keys represent access to heaven and symbolically the access to greater things in this world brought about through education.
Most British universities have a coat of arms, but some universities, particularly former schools of art or design (now arts universities), are not armigerous. These include Arden University, Arts University Bournemouth, Arts University Plymouth, Bath Spa University, BPP University, Leeds Arts University, Norwich University of the Arts, Oxford Brookes University, Regent's University London, University of Bedfordshire, University of Brighton, University College London, Ravensbourne University London, University of Roehampton (although two of its colleges are armigerous) and the University of West London.
The images below may either be the coat of arms in the form of a shield (escutcheon) or the 'full heraldic achievement', as granted by the College of Arms or the Lyon Court. Some arms may be assumed arms, if they are often taken from a founder or benefactor, particularly in the case of colleges and halls within universities.Buck, G, 'A Discourse or Treatise on the Third University of England,' in Stow, J. Annales, or, a general chronicle of England. (1615). London. Richardi Meighen.
Arms of universities
Ancient universities Arms University Full Achievement Aberdeen, granted 26 September 1888 Escutcheon: Quarterly: 1st Azure a bough pot Or charged with three salmon fishes in fret Proper and containing as many lilies of the garden the dexter in bud the centre full blown and the sinister half blown also Proper flowered Argent issuant from the middle chief amid rays of the sun a dexter hand holding an open book likewise Proper, 2nd Argent a chief paly of six Or and Gules, 3rd Argent a chevron sable between three boars' heads erased Gules armed of the field and langued Azure, 4th Gules a tower triple-towered Argent masoned Sable windows and port of the last. Motto: Initium Sapientiae Timor Domini (The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord)
The university's coat of arms incorporates those of the founders and locations of the two colleges it is derived from. In the top left quadrant are the arms of the burgh of Old Aberdeen, with the addition of a symbol of knowledge being handed down from above. Top right are those of George Keith, the fifth Earl Marischal. Bottom left are those of Bishop William Elphinstone. The bottom right quarter is a simplified version of the three castles which represent the city of Aberdeen (this symbol of the city also appears prominently on the arms of The Robert Gordon University). In 1995 the university was granted a crest and supporters to celebrate its 500th anniversary. These are a leopard on the dexter a side and a hart on the sinister. Cambridge, granted 1573 Escutcheon: Gules on a cross Ermine between four lions passant Or a Bible lying fessways of the field clasped and garnished of the third the clasps in base. Motto: Hinc Lucem Et Pocula Sacra (From here, light and sacred draughts) - adopted by custom; not part of the grant
The lions represent the university's royal patronage, the ermine represents dignity, and the Bible on the cross represents both knowledge and the Christian faith. Critics point to the closed book; compare Oxford below. Edinburgh, granted 22 October 1789 Escutcheon: Argent on a saltire Azure between a thistle Proper in chief and a castle on rock Sable in base a book expanded Or.
The saltire and thistle are national symbols of Scotland (although the former's colours are reversed), while the castle is taken from the coat of arms of Edinburgh. The open book symbolizes learning. Glasgow, granted 14 June 1900 Escutcheon: Azure the university mace in pale Or between on the dexter a tree surmounted on top by a bird Proper on the sinister an ancient handbell and in chief an open book Argent and surmounted in base of a salmon on its back holding in its mouth a signet ring also Proper. Motto: Via Veritas Vita (The way, the truth, the life) (St John's Gospel, chapter 14)
The tree, bird, bell and fish (salmon) are taken from the coat of arms of the city of Glasgow and refer to Saint Mungo. In addition there is a book representing learning and a depiction of the university mace. Oxford, confirmed in 1574 Escutcheon: Azure, upon a book open proper leathered gules garnished or having on the dexter side seven seals of the last the words DOMINVS ILLVMINATIO MEA all between three open crowns two and one or. Motto: Dominus illuminatio mea (The Lord is my light)
In his Display of Heraldrie (1610), John Guillim interprets the arms as follows: The Book itself some have thought to signifie that Book mentioned in the Apocalyps, having seven Seals: but these here are taken rather to be the seven Liberal Sciences, and the Crowns to be the reward and honour of Learning and Wisdome; and the triplicity of the Crowns are taken to represent the three Cardinal Professions or Faculties before specified [Theology, Physick and Law]. The Inscription I find to vary according to variety of times: some having Sapientia & Felicitate, Wisdome and Happiness; others (and that very ancient) Deus illuminatio mea, The Lord is my light; others this, Veritas liberat, bonitas regnabit, Truth frees us, Godliness crowneth us; and others thus, In principio, &c. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. St Andrews, granted 24 November 1905 Escutcheon: Parted per saltire Argent and Azure in chief a book expanded Proper leaved Gules and in base a lion rampant of the last armed and langued of the second on a chief of the fourth a crescent reversed of the first between two mascles Or. Motto Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν (Ever to excel)
The silver and blue saltire references Scotland. The open book represents learning. The lion rampant is from the royal arms of Scotland and represents King James I (1406–1437). The crescent moon represents Peter de Luna who as Pope Benedict XIII issued the bulls of foundation in 1413. The gold diamonds on the chief are taken from the personal arms of Henry Wardlaw, Bishop of St Andrews (1404–1440).
19th-century universities Arms University Full Achievement Durham, granted 22 May 1843 Escutcheon: Argent a Cross Pattée quadrate Gules; a Canton Azure charged with a Chevron Or between three Lions rampant of the First. Motto: Fundamenta Ejus Super Montibus Sanctis (Her foundations are upon the holy hills) (Psalm 87)
The arms feature St Cuthbert's cross, referencing the link to Durham Cathedral (the shrine of St Cuthbert) and, in the canton, the arms of Bishop Hatfield of Durham, the founder of Durham College, Oxford, advancing the idea that the university is its successor institute. St Cuthbert's Cross was used as the university's seal prior to the grant of arms and appears on the coats of arms of many Durham colleges, as well as those of Newcastle University. London, granted 10 April 1838 Escutcheon: Argent on a cross Gules the union rose irradiated and ensigned with the imperial crown Proper a chief Azure thereon an open book also Proper the clasps Gold.
The arms depict a cross of St George upon which there is a Tudor or Union rose (radiating light) surmounted by a crown. The cross links to the arms of the city of London. The rose and crown symbolise royal and imperial connections. The open book in the chief represents learning. Wales, granted 2 May 1910 Escutcheon: Argent on a fess murrey three medieval lamps Or all within a bordure of the second charged with eight mullets of the third. Crest: Upon a Helm a Wreath of the colours a Dragon statant Gules resting the dexter claw on an open book Proper inscribed with the words "GOREU AWEN GWIRIONEDD" (The Best Inspiration is Truth) Motto: Scientia Ingenium Artes (Science, engineering, arts)
The university was founded by royal charter in 1893 as a federal university with three constituent colleges – Aberystwyth, Bangor and Cardiff. The lamps in the design represent these three colleges. The eight mullets or stars represent the constituent elements which made up the original university court. These were representatives appointed by the governing bodies of the foundation colleges (Aberystwyth, Bangor, and Cardiff), representatives of the teaching faculties and academic boards from the colleges, representatives elected by the body of university graduates, delegates representing the county councils and municipal authorities of Wales and Monmouthshire, representatives linked to secondary and intermediate education, members nominated directly by the Crown, representatives from affiliated theological colleges, co-opted national civic members.
Civic Universities Arms University Full Achievement Birmingham, granted 27 August 1900 Escutcheon: 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". Motto: Per ardua ad alta (Through efforts great heights are reached)
The open book represents learning. The double headed lion and mermaid are adopted from the arms of Josiah Mason founder of the Mason Science College an institution which was incorporated into the university in 1900. Bristol, granted 4 December 1909