Origin:-
The arms were granted on 17 October 1933 and re-confirmed in 1975.
The white horse of Kent is supposedly the old symbol for the Saxon kingdom of
Kent, dating from the 6 - 8th century.
The crest shows a mural crown, which symbolizes the many castles in the
county, as well as the independent Saxon kingdom of Kent. The sails are symbols
for the strong ties of the county with the sea and stand for the navy, the
mercantile marine and fisheries.
The sea lions are also a symbol for the strong ties with the navy, the lion
being the British lion. The sea lions also symbolize that Kent is the frontier
of Britain with continental Europe.
The left supporter wears the arms of the Cinque Ports, five harbour cities
that had to provide support for the English navy until modern times. Four of
these cities are in Kent. The arms are three lions with ship hulls as tails.
The right supporter wears a shield with the arms of the Archbishopric of
Canterbury, founded in 597 by St. Augustine. |
