![[Portsmouth]](../images/g/gb-e-ptm.gif)
image
located by Valentin Poposki, 29 July 2020
Last modified: 2020-08-15 by rob raeside
Keywords: portsmouth | hampshire |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
image
located by Valentin Poposki, 29 July 2020
Portsmouth is a city in Hampshire, England. With the Local Government Act
1888, Portsmouth became County Borough Council. In 1926 it became a city. In
1974 Portsmouth City Council became part of Hampshire County Council, but in
1997 PCC became unitary authority and is no longer part of Hampshire County
Council.
Valentin Poposki, 29 July 2020
Portsmouth uses a blue flag with lying half-moon and eight-pointed star
above it, which is a banner of arms.
Valentin Poposki, 29 July 2020
![[Portsmouth]](../images/g/gb-e-ptm).gif)
image
located by Valentin Poposki, 29 July 2020
Official blazon
Arms : Azure a Crescent ensigned by an Estoile of eight
points Or.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours on a Mural Crown proper a Sea
Lion sejant guardant Or murally crowned and tailed proper the dorsal and caudal
fins Or.
Supporters : On the dexter side a Sea Lion guardant Or murally
crowned and tailed all proper the dorsal and caudal fins Or on the sinister side
a Sea Unicorn Argent armed crined and unguled Or the tail proper the dorsal and
caudal fins Or gorged with a Naval Crown Or affixed thereto by a Ring and
reflexed over the back a representation of 'The Mighty Chain of Iron' which
defended Portsmouth Haven in the sixteenth century Sable each supporting between
the forelegs a Staff proper flying therefrom a Banner of the Arms fringed Or.
Motto: 'HEAVEN'S LIGHT OUR GUIDE'.
Origin/meaning
The arms are not
officially granted, but recorded at the visitation in 1622 and 1686. The motto
was granted in 1929, the supporters in 1970.
The golden star and crescent
on a blue background have been the City's arms for 800 years. There are various
theories about their origin but it is likely that the device was copied from the
arms of William de Longchamp, Lord Chancellor to Richard I at the time of the
granting of the Town's first definite Charter on 2nd May 1194. However, as
William de Longchamp had also adopted a variation of the arms used by Richard I
on his first Great Seal, there is no reason why Portsmouth should not similarly
have adopted a variation of Richard's Arms directly, as a compliment to the King
for the favours that he had shown the Town during his brief reign.
Richard's
first great seal showed on either side of his head a star with six wavy rays
(known as an estoile) above a crescent moon. On some specimens of his first
Great Seal an eight-pointed star was used. It is not known for certain whether
Richard adopted this device as a result of going on the Crusades to Palestine in
1191, or whether it was a punning reference to the star called Regulus in the
constellation of Leo, which is commonly known a "Cor Leonis", or "Heart of the
Lion", a nice play on words on Richard's nickname.
The motto "Heaven's
Light Our Guide", was registered in 1929, it is that of the Order of the Star of
India and of the old Indian troop ships which embarked their passengers at
Portsmouth.
The supporters and crest were added in 1970. The sea lion and
sea unicorn are a maritime version of the Royal Crest and Supporters. A rare
privilege, reflecting Portsmouth's long association with the Crown. The unicorn
wears a naval crown and a mighty chain of iron, which is a pictorial
representation of the chain boom, which, from Tudor times, stretched from the
Round Tower, Old Portsmouth, to Fort Blockhouse, Gosport, as a protection to
Portsmouth Harbour. The mural crowns are civic emblems and also refer to the
land defences which surrounded Portsmouth from Elizabethan times to 1862.
Source:
https://heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Portsmouth
Valentin Poposki, 29 July 2020
![[Portsmouth International Port]](../images/g/gb~pip.jpg)
image located by Jan Mertens, 22 February 2011
This page presents the new flag (2011) of the Portsmouth International Port
(GB):
http://www.seaviewferries.co.uk/news/article/the-port-of-portsmouth-gets-a-new-identity
“Port manager Martin Putman said: “It has become clear that the
port has to have an identity that reflects all of our business activities.
With a new terminal opening early this year the timing for a name change is
perfect. The new terminal is part of a £16.5 million investment in new
and improved passenger facilities. (...) With the name change also comes a
new logo that reflects the Port’s modern outlook.”
A photo on the above page shows a blue flag
proclaiming the name “Portsmouth [large, white] / INTERNATIONAL [smaller, green]
/ Port [large and white again], left aligned. In the lower fly, playfully
underlining part of the name, appears a group of three waves each with
gradually shifting colours among them light blue, green, and/or white.
Another view, showing the reverse shining through:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/portsmouthinternationalport/5285343917.
Comments from creator Navigate Design (url followed by quote):
http://navigate-design.co.uk/news/New-brand,-new-website/124
“Taking the
sea as its inspiration the Port’s new logo is both contemporary and easily
recognizable. The nautical theme is present in the colour and design of the
wave.”
And finally, the Port’s new website look:
http://www.portsmouth-port.co.uk
Jan Mertens,
22 February 2011
