This rather attractive three dimensional version of the coat of arms of Leeds City Council can be found on Leeds Bridge.
The design has it's origins in the 17th century, which was when Leeds had its first mayor. The shield part of the coat of arms were registered in 1666. In 1835 silver owls above and either side were added, but were not formally registered. In 1920 application was made to the College of Arms for the changes to be formerly registered. At this time the silver owls were changed to natural colours.
Owls have become a feature of life in Leeds. There is an owl trail, with 25 locations featuring owls. There are, for example, golden owl sculptures on the Civic Hall, and one face of an office block towering over the railway station has a massive owl painted on one face, probably the largest painting I've ever seen.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are as always very much appreciated.
Dione raised the question Why Owls, are real owls common in Leeds? Well, it all started with the Savile family. They had been granted large areas of land in Yorkshire after the Norman takeover of England in 1066. They moved from France to the Leeds area, and their family Coat of Arms included Owls. The great significance of the Saville family over the centuries meant that the owls became incorporated in the Leeds Coat of Arms from 1835. But why did the Saville family Coat of Arms include owls? - nobody knows.
Janet asked about the clean nature of the Coat of Arms - well, the bridge had a major restoration and strengthening programme carried out and completed late last summer. The final part of the project was a full repaint of the bridge.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are as always very much appreciated.
Dione raised the question Why Owls, are real owls common in Leeds? Well, it all started with the Savile family. They had been granted large areas of land in Yorkshire after the Norman takeover of England in 1066. They moved from France to the Leeds area, and their family Coat of Arms included Owls. The great significance of the Saville family over the centuries meant that the owls became incorporated in the Leeds Coat of Arms from 1835. But why did the Saville family Coat of Arms include owls? - nobody knows.
Janet asked about the clean nature of the Coat of Arms - well, the bridge had a major restoration and strengthening programme carried out and completed late last summer. The final part of the project was a full repaint of the bridge.
Ian
Love your explanation of owls and why the its so clean
Thank you Nina - the coat of arms really stands out as you walk across the bridge.
Ian