The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

There was some reluctance on the part of Lord Lyon to agree to the incorporation of the three stars since these are,
clearly, a Christian symbol when the Roman occupation of this part of Britain, clearly predated the Christian era.
However, to allow the incorporation of a symbol symbolic of Kirkintilloch, he eventually agreed.
On the other side, the miner is a reminder of the proud heavy industrial traditions of part of East Dunbartonshire and
particularly the coal mines which were a staple supplier of employment for almost two centuries.
The motto is “AIR ADHART COMHLA” and this language was deliberately chosen because East Dunbartonshire is the
only authority in Central Scotland that has a Gaelic speaking school – Meadowburn Primary School in Bishopbriggs.
In English the phrase means “Going Forward Together”.
The Coat of Arms was approved after lengthy discussions in 1996 and quickly became a very popular symbol of the
new authority.
In Scot’s law, although the arms are unique to East Dunbartonshire, the ownership remains with her Majesty the
Queen. The grant of arms having been made by her Lord Lyon, King of Arms, who is head of the Scottish Heraldic
Genealogical Executive. The Lord Lyon, King of Arms is appointed by the Sovereign and receives a commission
issued under the Great Seal of Scotland. Jurisdiction of the lord Lyon is both ministerial and judicial. The principal
administrative function of the Lord Lyon is in relation to the granting of armorial bearings by letters patent. The style
“Lord Lyon” goes back to the early 16 th Century although his prefix “Lord” can be found as late as the Debtors
(Scotland) Act of 1987!
LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM
Willy Paterson, East Dunbartonshire
The coat of arms was granted on 1 March 1965, incorporating devices from the coats of arms of the former
Metropolitan Boroughs of Fulham and Hammersmith.
The main motif of two gold hammers inter-laced with a gold horseshoe is an indication of the borough’s name. The
blue and white wavy bars on the shield represent the River Thames. Above are the crossed swords and gold mitre of
the Bishops of London, lords of the manor of Fulham for almost eleven centuries.
The turreted crest on the helmet represents civic authority. Above this is a black ship denoting the presence of the
Danes in Fulham in 879AD.
Two griffins, mythical creatures of strength and vigilance, symbolise the merging of the boroughs. They sprout rays of
progress and enlightenment. Round their necks hang the symbols of two men important to the development of
Hammersmith; the scallop shell of George Pring, a supporter of the first Hammersmith Bridge, and the crosslet of
Edward Latymer, who left property for the welfare and education of the poor.
The motto Spectemur Agendo was adopted in 1969 from the original motto of the Metropolitan Borough of
Hammersmith. It can be translated as 'Let us be judged by our actions'.
Keith Simpson, Hammersmith & Fulham
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