On
1st April Rutland will be celebrating the twentieth anniversary of regaining its independence in 1997.
1st
April was also the date in 1974 of the dissolution of the County of
Rutland's four urban and rural district councils: that is, Oakham
urban district and Ketton, Oakham, and Uppingham, rural districts.
This small plate marks the end of Oakham Rural District and displays
the arms of the rural district. The plate does not have a potter’s
mark. Oakham Rural District covered northwestern and central parts of
Rutland; a separate Oakham Urban District (the parish of Oakham) was
formed in 1911.
The
Civic Heraldry website gives information on the arms which
were
granted
in 1958
and
has a colour illustration.
Arms:
Vert semé of Acorns and fretty Or on a Chief Gules a Pegasus courant
Argent between two Horseshoes Gold.
Crest:
On a Wreath of the Colours upon a Rock Or a Bull Statant Gules armed
and unguled Gold.
Motto
'PARVA COMPONERE MAGNIS' - “Small but comparable with great”.
The
green and gold colours and the horseshoe and acorns appear on
Rutland’s arms and flag. The
green and the acorns are indicative of the rich pastures and
woodlands and also commemorate the forest which at one time covered
much of the County. Acorns
also link to
the oak in
the name of Oakham. The horseshoes refers to the ancient custom that
Peers of the Realm passing through the town
are required to present a horseshoe to the Lord of the Manor of
Oakham and
a unique
collection of
ceremonial
horseshoes
can be seen in Oakham Castle.
 |
| Oakham Rural District shown in red |
The
other emblems recall three great families associated with Rutland:
the
Noels (Earls of Gainsborough) of Exton, the Finch
family of Burley-on-the-Hill and
the
Earls of Ancaster
of
Normanton Hall.
The "fretty" comes from the arms of both the Noel and
Ancaster families. Pegasus is taken from the arms of the Finch
family, but also signifies a
link with the Cottesmore Hunt.
The
rock on the crest represents quarrying and industry in general, while the bull
signifies agriculture, stock rearing being of particular importance
in the area.
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