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Or three Lions rampant guardant Gules on a Chief dovetailed Azure a Saxon Crown Or And for the Crest upon a Helm with a Wreath Or and Azure Issuing from Flames proper a demi Smew Argent beaked Gules eyed Or Mantled Azure Doubled Or The symbolism of the arms is as follows: The crest is a smew, a diving duck, in the tradition of the canting armorial references, showing its wings only (Smewing). The crest was probably originally a method of distinguishing warriors in battle, and thus seemed appropriate, since a duck wing could have been used in this way. The bird is yellowed eyed, a reference to the family's long association with banking/moneyers (both my father and grandfather were bank officials) and to our genetic trait of mathematical ability. The beak is red a reference to fearlessness (or perhaps bloodymindedness). The smew is rising up from flames, a reference to the two engenderers of success, curiosity and love; and deliberately bears a strong resemblance to a phoenix. The shield is chosen in colours of red, yellow and blue, which together with the white smew crest make a harmonious design on cloth, predominantly in dark blue. The crown is saxon, in reference to the origins of the name (ing is saxon for 'follower of'), and the langed and barbed lions refer to verbal and physical courage. As an exMayor of Henley-on-Thames I know that both are needed to succeed in political life. Rampant guardant refers to attacking problems but simultaneously taking the care (attention to detail) that this approach mandates. The most important part of the symbolism is embodied within the entire design and refers to teamwork, as symbolised by the dovetailing. The three lions (people, ideas and tasks or wealth, wisdon and work needed for any project) and the four orbs on the crown refer to the optimum size of a team - seven - as defined in the work of the management researcher Belbin. He identified the seven roles that produce the optimum effective team to exercise influence over events. The motto reflects the translation of smewing in anglo saxon as sagacious friend, another reference to curiosity the engenderer of wisdom and to love the engenderer of friendship. The latin is deliberately reversed, as I know having studied Latin as a boy, and shows that not only am I bloodyminded, but that I was also able to persuade the College of Arms to deviate from their usual practice of insisting on correct Latin. Any intelligent descendant with no Latin would still be able to decipher the meaning with just a dictionary. |
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