BRIDGWATER (Somersetshire).

BRIDGWATER (Somersetshire). Has no armorial bearings. The seal represents a castle upon a bridge, within the legend " Sigillum Maioris et ballorum burgi ac villae de Bridgwater."

Burke, in his " General Armory," however, ascribes arms to the town as follows : —

" Bridgewater, Town of, (Somersetshire). — Gu. a castle with three towers an, the dexter and sinister tower domed, the castle standing on a bridge in base over a river, all ppr., on the dexter side of the centre tower an estoile, and on the sinister a fleur-de-lis, both or. The Corporation Seal is very ancient, and represents a castle surmounted by two others placed pyramidically and embattled. The castle stands on a bridge of Gothic work, with water underneath ; on each side of the first castle a domed tower surmounted with a ball, the grand entrance portcullised at the top, and against the door a man's head couped close in chief, on the dexter side an estoile, on the sinister a fleur-de-lis.

" Bridgwater, Town of (Somerset). — Ar. an arch of a bridge, extended and triple-towered gu. in base water with three ships therein, all ppr."

Debrett gives Burke's first selection.

Original Source bookofpublicarms00foxd_djvu.txt near line 4451.