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In 1994, to commemorate the centenary of Parish Councils
and the move to its new headquarters at the Town Hall, Thornbury
Town Council formally assumed a Coat of Arms. The Arms can be described
as follows:
The Crest consists of a thorn tree bearing fruit representing Thornbury
(A Burg protected by a thorn hedge) growing from a mount on which
is superimposed the Stafford Knot in gold. The tree and mount are
in their natural colours. Below the crest is a traditional civic
helm in silver and both are supported by a mantle of twisted crest-wreath
worked in red and gold. The crest echoes that of the arms of the
former Thornbury Rural District Council.
The Shield - Is quartered and comprises quarterly:
First Quarter - A black inverted triangle with
silver background to each side over which is superimposed a chevron
with ‘ragged’ ends, the chevron being black over the
silver background and red over the black triangle. (Argent on a
pile sable, a chevron, ends indented sable and gules.) The device
is from the arms of the Attwell family which had close Thornbury
connections not least being instrumental in the foundation of Thornbury
Grammar School of which Marlwood is the successor.
Second Quarter - Six dagger-like crosses with three
of their traverses recrossed in silver on a red background separated
by a diagonal band of silver.(Gules on bend argent between six cross
crosslets fitchee argent.) This is derived from the arms of the
Howard family, holders of the manor of Thornbury and the last to
use Thornbury Castle as a residence.
Third Quarter - Three gold chevrons on a red background.
(Gules, three chevronel or.) The device is from the arms of the
de Clare family descendants of Gilbert de Clare, first Earl of Pembroke
and his son Richard ‘Strongbow’. The de Clares held
land in Wales, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire including the Manor
of Thornbury.
Fourth Quarter - A single red chevron on a gold
background. (Or, a chevron gules.) This is derived from the arms
of the Stafford family as is the Stafford Knot on the crest. Edward
Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, was the builder of Thornbury Castle.
The Motto ‘DECUS SABRINAE VALLIS’ alludes to Thornbury’s
location and reputation as ‘Jewel of the Severn Vale’.
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