Sometimes we don’t notice the things we see every day. This is certainly true of the College coat of arms.

The initial suggested design was produced by OC Douglas Sladen (Beaufort House and Gantillon, 1875) while still a pupil and editor of The Cheltonian in 1873. By 1874, OC George Cowburn (Newick House, 1872) produced a design that was modified and approved by College Council. It showed a shield divided into four with each quarter showing a symbol: crossed keys; the arms of the Diocese of Gloucester, which signifies College is in that diocese; the book representing learning; the fasces are typical of the Classical Department; and the crossed swords stand for the military and civil department. Above the crossed swords was a star, from the crest of Rev TH Southwood.

Like most schools, College initially adopted this without reference to any other institution or authority. This changed in 1896 when the Cheltonian Society, with the consent of Council, set the wheels in motion to request a formal grant of arms. Accordingly, on 7 August 1896, the College of Arms granted the right to a shield which included two swords representing the military, fasces for the classical and fleur-de-lis from the arms of Rev W Dobson, Principal of College, 1845-1859, plus the star from Rev Southwood.

In 1965 College was granted supporters and a crest. The wolf supporters are taken from the arms of Lord Sherborne. The 3rd Baron Sherborne, James Henry Legge Dutton, was the first President of the College, 1841-62 so adopting his supporters seemed apt. The banners on the staves held by the supporters are from the arms of the Diocese of Gloucester.

The choice of crest was very much driven by a sense of place. A fleury cross argent formed part of the shield of Edward the Confessor, to whom belonged the manor of Cheltenham, and thus the Borough Council also have a fleury cross on their shield.

The boar’s head was one of the badges of Richard III who, before becoming King, was Duke of Gloucester. The city of Gloucester arms, granted in 1538, also included a boar’s head. A boar’s head also featured on the crests of Lord Redesdale (2nd President of College 1862-86) and OC Henry James, Lord James of Hereford (Houses Gilbard, Duprez, and Garrett, 1845. One of the first boys at College and later 3rd President, 1886-1911).

It is possible to see earlier versions of the arms as well as arms with slight variations in the Archive and around College.