Coat of Arms

The original arms showed a silver castle on a blue shield. In 1563 the present shield was granted, with the castle crest added in 1714 and the greyhound supporters in 1836. The coat of arms appears in stained glass in the Council Chamber - viewed from the outside by standing on the south side of the High Street on the corner with the Parade, with your back to The Bear public house.

The motto, "ubi nunc sapientis ossa Merlini" (where now are the bones of wise Merlin?) was adopted in the 19th century and refers to a 12th century tradition of the castle mound - now within the grounds of Marlborough College - being the burial place of Merlin.

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