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One of our many running themes at You & Yesterday is a series of short articles taking a look at coats of arms, badges, crests and slogans associated with Derbyshire. Here local historian Peter Seddon gives an informal overview and appeals for contributions.

It might be imagined that there are only a handful, but in fact a definitive list could be very extensive indeed. Each of the local authorities within Derbyshire has a coat of arms, and countless organizations and businesses have their own specific crest, badge or logo. Derby itself has its own arms, as does Derbyshire, which now also boasts its own flag.

It is the coats of arms - alternatively called armorial bearings or just 'arms' for short - which are usually the most formal. In European tradition they are a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people) and used by them in a wide variety of ways. Unlike seals and emblems, coats of arms have a formal description that is expressed as a blazon, which is essentially an explanation of the arms in specialised heraldic language.

Most people glance at a coat of arms without giving it a second thought, and many consider heraldry rather unfathomable or boring. In fact any coat of arms is worthy of much closer scrutiny, and the heraldic explanations can be fascinating.

In essence a coat of arms tells a story in pictures and symbols, usually summing up the history of an organization or the salient points associated with a geographic locality. They can be controversial, sometimes contain obscure symbolic meanings, and can even include humour.

Badges, crest and logos are less formal and usually simpler, but often have a story behind them too. Did you know, for example, that the famous Ram logo of Derby County Football Club was designed by a Leeds United fan? Now that is controversial!

A more informal field again, but essentially an updated and popularised extension of the age-old heraldic message, are the countless slogans and advertising campaigns which have been used over the years. These too can be controversial, especially when they have been commissioned for large fees.

Remember the DerbYes campaign? How man Mensa members did it take to think that one up?! The accompanying slogan was 'The city where you can'. Can what? Sardines? Spend many happy hours on the inner ring road? Nobody really knew.

And what about Birds Confectioners and their celebrated boast? - 'We never sell a stale cake' - Perhaps you worked at Birds and can tell us what happened to all those unsold items - were the staff allowed to take them home? Or did Birds feed the birds? And why is their company logo a daisy? From the old phrase 'Fresh as a daisy' perhaps?

If you have anything whatsoever to say about coats of arms, badges, emblems, flags, logos or slogans, here is the place to say it. Whether your contribution is erudite or a little more light-hearted, just follow the 'create a new article' link and start writing.

For an idea of what has already been written, here is a list of articles posted so far. Just click on a title to read more.

Derby County - The Famous Ram Logo

Chesterfield Borough Council - Its Coat of Arms Explained

Erewash Borough Council - The Coat of Arms Controversy!

Derby City Council - Its Coat of Arms Explained

Derbyshire County Council - Its Coat of Arms Explained

University of Derby - A Guide to its Coat of Arms

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County:  Derbyshire

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