Dieu Et Mon Droit crest at Warrington Law Courts centre, Legh St, Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK, WA1 1UR

Dieu Et Mon Droit crest at Warrington Law Courts centre, Legh St, Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK, WA1 1UR Stock Photo
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Image details

Contributor:

Tony Smith

Image ID:

2JAPXAD

File size:

50.3 MB (2.9 MB Compressed download)

Releases:

Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?

Dimensions:

3648 x 4816 px | 30.9 x 40.8 cm | 12.2 x 16.1 inches | 300dpi

Date taken:

31 May 2022

Location:

Legh St, Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK, WA1 1UR

More information:

Colourful Royal Coat of Arms mounted on the red brick exterior of Warrington Law Courts on Legh Street in Warrington, Cheshire, England. The emblem displays the quartered shield of the United Kingdom beneath a royal crown and crowned lion. A golden lion representing England and a chained white unicorn representing Scotland stand as supporters. The shield contains the three lions of England in its first and fourth quarters, the rampant lion of Scotland in the second and the golden harp of Ireland in the third. Around it is the blue Garter bearing the French motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense”, translated as “Shame on him who thinks evil of it”. The lower scroll carries the Sovereign's motto “Dieu et mon droit”, meaning “God and my right”. Brightly painted heraldic details contrast with the plain brickwork, creating a symbol of Crown authority on the courthouse facade. Royal Arms are traditionally displayed in courts in England and Wales to signify that justice is administered in the name of the monarch. Judges and magistrates act as representatives of the Crown, making the emblem part of courtroom and courthouse symbolism rather than merely architectural decoration. Although often called a crest, the complete composition is correctly described as the Royal Coat of Arms; the crest is specifically the crowned lion above the helmet and crown. The close exterior view records heraldry, monarchy and the administration of British justice at Warrington's combined court centre. Visible details include the supporters' claws and hooves, the unicorn's chain, decorative mantling, coloured shield, Garter and motto scroll. Strong daylight casts a defined shadow on the brick wall, emphasising the depth of the sculpted plaque. The image suits editorial subjects concerning law and order, courts, criminal justice, constitutional monarchy, government buildings, national identity, legal heritage, public architecture and official British symbolism.