The design may be described in non-technical terms as follows:
The field or background, of the shield is gold, and thereon is red pile, or wedge-shaped figure, placed between two heraldic fountains, represented by roundels of silver and blue wavy bars; and on the pile is a spreadeagle of the same tincture as the field, i.e. gold. Above the shield is placed an esquire's helm encircled by a torse, or crest-wreath, showing six twists alternately gold and red, these being the principal colours in the shield. On the crest-wreath four chrysanthemum flowers, with their stalks and leaves, in natural colours, are placed, three being visible in the illustration; and from the midst of these flowers rises a half-lion of red, supporting with the fore-paws a seax, or notched sword, point upwards, the blade being steel-grey and the hilt and cross-piece gold. From the helm flows the mantling, a decorative cloak worn by a Knight as a protection against the heat of the sun; this is also of the colours, being red on the outside and lined with gold. The Supporters are (dexter), a gold heraldic tiger, and (sinister) a silver Pegasus with blue hoofs, mane and tail, each having round its neck a green astral crown, and hanging therefrom a silver roundel edged with green, the roundel on the tiger having on it a wheatsheaf in natural colours, and the roundel on the Pegasus having a red cross, its limbs extending to the green edge.
And explained as follows:
The pile is from the arms of the ancient family of Basset. The fountains refer to the river, in the Borough. The eagle is from the arms of Paget, Earl of Uxbridge, a title now borne by the Marquess of Anglesey: and also alludes to the Uxbridge R.A.F. Depot and Northolt Airport. The chrvsanthemums in the crest, which are unique in civic heraldry, relate particularly to horticultural nurseries in the town which specialise in these flowers and are also intended to refer generally to cultivation in the Borough. The national lion supports a notched, sword from the arms of Middlesex, this being an ancient emblem associated with the Middle and East Saxons. The tiger is taken from the arms of the Marquess of Anglesey (who is also the Earl of Uxbridge). The Pegasus Winged horse) represents Uxbridge's connection with the Royal Air Force. The green astral crowns allude to Uxbridge's association with the Green Belt round London. The wheatsheaf on one roundel refers to the brewing and corn growing and corn merchant industry. The red cross (from the arms of the City of London) on the other roundel indicates that Uxbridge is in Greater London.
Information from: Shaw and Sons Ltd., London, EC4.
Heralds of the middle ages developed their own terminology for describing coats of arms. In heraldry this is called a "Blazon" and every single coat of arms has its own unique Blazon. It enables any coat of arms to be reproduced with great accuracy, but without inhibiting artistic expression.
