Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms granted to the former Urban District Council has been transferred to the Bicester Town Council and is now the official Coat of Arms for the town.
The former Urban District was granted armorial bearings by the College of Arms by Letters Patent dated 19th May 1959, the blazon being:
Shield: Barry Nebuly, Or and Gules. A Hurt, Azure, charged with a Fleur de Lys, Gules.
Crest: On a wreath of colours displaying a closed helmet proper to all civic arms; in front of a fox’s mask, two stalks of Wheat in Saltire, leaved proper.
Motto: UT TIBI SIC ALLIIS. This is translated as: Unto thyself so to others.
Please note: Usage of the Crest can only be by permission of Bicester Town Council.
The grant of Armorial Bearings (Cost of Arms) to a local authority is a Royal Privilege. A local authority cannot authorise other persons or bodies to use their Armorial Bearings granted by the Crown as this would strictly be a usurpation of Royal Privilege to grant arms.
The Arms denote the corporate body; it would not be appropriate therefore for anybody who is not part of the municipality to display the Arms. Naturally, it can be displayed in the context of the history of the town; it should not be used, however, by voluntary or community groups that are not part of the municipal authority, except in circumstances where it is used to indicate the Council’s support of a project or as a sponsor and explicit permission in writing is given in this context
Its use must indicate council support and endorsement, as the Arms denote the council only. On the above occasions, where permission is granted, the Arms must be used:
- In its true and original form, without any changes;
- In its full form with correct colours;
- At a suitable size to make its use meaningful;
- For purposes of local history and/or heraldry;
- when its use enhances the reputation of the council.
When permission has been granted, the users should provide evidence that it will not be misused.
A local authority (or any other person) to whom Armorial Bearings have been granted by the King of Arms may, however, present a petition to the Court of Chivalry asking for reparation. If satisfied the Court will then “inhibit and strictly enjoin” the defendant not to presume to display the plaintiffs arms.
