Inscriptions: City coat of arms
This coat of arms of the City of Oxford is on a sign beside the main gates to Headington Hill Park.
The central shield shows an ox crossing a ford, the ancient symbol of Oxford. The city motto beneath, "Fortis est Veritas", means "Truth is strong".
The bearers that represent two members of the court of Elizabeth I who spent a week at Christ Church in 1566, namely:
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Left: a black elephant representing Sir Francis Knollys, High Steward of the City, Lord Lieutenant, and MP for the County
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Right: a green beaver representing Henry Norreys of Rycote, Captain of the City Militia and MP for the County
The leopard on top, which is dotted with blue fleurs de lys, was a unique crest granted to the city by Queen Elizabeth I. It wears the royal crown and holds the Tudor Rose in its paws.