THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ARMS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
“The achievement of arms, or simply achievement, is shown on the title page of this Calendar
and is blazoned.
Arms
Purpure a Fess conjoined to two Flaunches Argent between in chief a Representation of the
Constellation Perseus consisting of six Mullets and in base an Oak Tree couped and fructed
Gold.
Crest
Within an Astral Crown Or a Phoenix Sable in flames proper beaked Gold and gorged with a
Wreath of Laurel Vert Mantled Purpure and Sable doubled Argent.
Supporters
On either side a Hart Gules attired and unguled Or gorged with a Ribanper fess Purpure and
Sable pendant therefrom by a ring an Annulet embattled on the outer edge Gold enfiled by a
Quill that on the dexter bendwise and that on the sinister bendwise sinister Argent and resting
the interior hind hoof on a covered Cup Or the Compartments comprising Water barry wavy
Argent and Azure between two Grassy Mounts Proper.
Motto
SEEK KNOWLEDGE THROUGHOUT LIFE
The significance of the various devices used is as follows:
Arms
The shield is U shaped and quartered by means of two flaunches and a fess to produce an H,
denoting the initials of the University.
Above the fess is a representation (determined largely by available space) of part of the
constellation Perseus. This reflects the University's long standing involvement in astronomy.
The more central of the two stars immediately above the fess is a binary star named ALGOL;
an allusion to computer science, in which the University is particularly strong. In Greek
mythology Perseus slew the Gorgon Medusa by looking at her in his polished shield, given to
him by Athene Goddess of Wisdom, a necessary ploy since looking at Medusa directly would
have turned him to stone.
This is a reference to biological sciences, health sciences and the pharmaceutical industry
(which is well represented locally) since certain drugs in a particular form can be harmful
whereas the mirror image form is curative.
The oak tree acknowledges the institution's origins in Hatfield (an oak tree appears on the
achievement of the Welwyn and Hatfield District Council).
Crest
The astral crown (on top of the help) alludes to the beginnings of the institution as a technical
college training apprentices mainly for the local aircraft industry. The phoenix is used here as
a symbol of change and since it is collared with a laurel wreath, and rises from the astral
crown, depicts the evolution from technical college to University.
Supporters
The two harts on either side and the water beneath the shield are a reference to
Hertfordshire. However, to make the supporters distinct from those on the county
achievement, and any other, they are coloured red and collared with a cogwheel and quill.
The cogwheel denotes engineering and the quill humanities. Placing the quill through the
cogwheel symbolises the bridging of the two cultures and recognises C P Snow's association
with the institution.
Each hart's inner hind hoof rests on a covered cup. Since covered cups are often seen in the
heraldry of families named Butler their incorporation in the achievement acknowledges the
gift, in 1944, of 90 acres of land by A S Butler, Chairman of De Havilland, to be used, in
perpetuity, for educational purposes.
Last, but not least, chemistry, one of the original departments, is suggested in the
achievement by the four alchemical elements water, earth, air and fire.”