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Exeter's Coat of Arms

Exeter received confirmation of the City's Arms from William Hervey, Clarenceux King of Arms during a visit to Devon in 1564.

Exeter Coat of Arms Exeter Coat of Arms

The original draft in handwriting is preserved at the College of Arms.

The motto Semper Fidelis (Ever Faithful) was suggested by Elizabeth I in a letter addressed to The Citizens of Exeter in 1588 in recognition of a gift of money towards the fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada.

The correct heraldic description is:

Party per gale gules and sable (divided vertically red and black), a castle triple-towered with a portcullis or (gold) crest (helmet) upon a wreath or sable (gold and black), a demi lion gules langued and armed azure (a half-lion with silver tongue and claws), supporting an orb, a cross thereon, batons or Supporters Two Pegasus argent, (flanked by two silver Pegasus), hoofed and maned or (gold) winged, barry wavy divided horizontally of six argent and azure (in six wavy bands of silver and blue).


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