Manchester City Crest

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Shield: red (Gules) with three gold (Or) bands drawn diagonally across to the right-hand side. The Chief (the white (Argent) top segment): shows a ship at sea in full sail. This is a reference to the city's trading base. The Crest: On a multicoloured wreath stands a terrestrial globe, signifying Manchester's world trade, and covered by a swarm of flying bees. The bee was adopted in the 19th century as a symbol of industrial Manchester. The Supporters: On the left, a heraldic antelope with a chain attached to a gold (Or) collar, representing engineering industries, and hanging at the shoulder, the red rose of Lancashire, reflecting Manchester's historic position in Lancashire. On the right, a golden lion stands guardant (facing us), crowned with a gold (Or) mural crown (a standard heraldic symbol for a city). The lion also wears the Red Rose of Lancashire. Motto: Concilio et Labore, loosely translated 'By wisdom and effort' (or 'By counsel and hard work').

In Their Own Story

In 1954, Manchester Corporation successfully took the Manchester Palace of Varieties to court for improperly using the corporation's arms in its internal decoration and its company seal. The case, Manchester Corporation v Manchester Palace of Varieties Ltd, occasioned the first sitting of the High Court of Chivalry for two hundred years; it has not sat since. In April 2013, Manchester City Council threatened to take legal action against The Manchester Gazette for its use of the city's coat of arms on its website. The news outlet claimed it had previously gained permission, and continued to use the arms for a further 8 months, despite receiving warnings of potential legal action. It ceased to use the arms later that year.

Reader's Guide

In 1954, Manchester Corporation successfully took the Manchester Palace of Varieties to court for improperly using the corporation's arms in its internal decoration and its company seal. The case, Manchester Corporation v Manchester Palace of Varieties Ltd, occasioned the first sitting of the High Court of Chivalry for two hundred years; it has not sat since. In April 2013, Manchester City Council threatened to take legal action against The Manchester Gazette for its use of the city's coat of arms on its website. The news outlet claimed it had previously gained permission, and continued to use the arms for a further 8 months, despite receiving warnings of potential legal action. It ceased to use the arms later that year.

Did You Know?

• The coat of arms was granted to the Manchester Corporation in 1842.
• The bee symbol was adopted in the 19th century as a symbol of industrial Manchester.
• The lion on the right is crowned with a gold (Or) mural crown, a standard heraldic symbol for a city.
• The shield is red with three gold bands drawn diagonally across to the right-hand side.