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, and is shown here as just one example of many throughout the city.
The central shield shows an ox crossing a ford, the ancient symbol of Oxford. Below is the city motto:
Fortis est Veritas
[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:
- Left: Black elephant representing Sir Francis Knollys, High Steward of the City, Lord Lieutenant, and MP for the County
- Right: 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.