10 Comments

• At 2009.12.10 09:46, Irma said:

  The castle on the second crest looks like Alnwick Castle, which is the seat of the Percy’s, so I assume it is the Percy’s crest.

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• At 2009.12.10 12:39, alf stone said:

  The bottom one with the three lions rampant separated by a chevron is the Durham University crest. The Percy crest is normally depicted as a blue lion on a yellow background so I am puzzled by the second item.

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• At 2009.12.10 15:42, Beth said:

  It isn’t the Armstrong College shield as was suggested last time - their crest can be seen here and is pretty different.

  That’s really going to bug me. Anyone got any idea?

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• At 2009.12.10 15:53, Irma said:

  Thiis building was named in memory of Baron Eustace Percy who was the first Rector of the “federation” of Newcastle and Durham Universities.

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• At 2009.12.10 16:34, alf stone said:

  Beth, you are a genius! It isn’t the Armstrong College crest but look carefully at the other one for the College of Medicine. It has been simplified in the sculpture but it is definitely the one.

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• At 2009.12.10 17:08, Beth said:

  DUH!!!! I can’t believe I didn’t look at the other shield! I am an idiot. And a genius, obviously…!

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• At 2009.12.10 20:13, alf stone said:

  I have been having another look at the College of Medicine crest and I think I must apolgise to the sculptor. I don’t think he simplified the original crest, I think he corrected it. The original top centre depicts a caduceus, or Staff of Hermes, which puzzled me because it has nothing to do with medicine. The sculpture shows the Rod of Asclepius which is a recognised symbol of medicine. Could those doctors have got it wrong all those years ago?

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• At 2009.12.10 21:42, Beth said:

  Alf - if you click through from wiki you end up at this photo which the wiki pic is based on (it’s outside the students’ union). And it looks like the same mistake was made on there! So yes, it looks like the sculptor did correct the mistake. Strange!

  Also, I went into the SU a LOT when I was a student and don’t ever remember noticing those shields over the door. I can’t believe it. Will have to look next time I’m passing…

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• At 2009.12.10 23:08, alf stone said:

  Curiouser and curiouser!

  Heraldry is fascinating but I promise this is my last mention of it. In official heraldic language the coat of arms of Newcastle University is described thus:

  Azure, a Cross of St Cuthbert Argent and in chief of the last a lion passant guardant Gules

  It’s like poetry.

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• At 2009.12.11 10:38, Dave said:

  Great knowledge on here!!

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