A colleague asked me this and I have no idea! Anybody know?

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Answers

Just of the top of my head, the crest is similar to that of the city and the three silver castles on a red shield are boldly drawn with heavily masoned portcullised gateways and machiolated battlements behind which, on each, rise three lofty towers. The castle motif goes back to earliest times for originally the town took its name from the "new Castle" built by order of Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror, in 1080 and a castle was depicted on the twelfth century common seal. The earliest extant example of the three silver castles on a red shield, dating from about 1400, is in the window on the north side of the Chancel on St. John's church.

The castle motif is repeated in the crest which is a golden demi-lion issuing from a silver castle. His forepaws grasp the golden staff of St. George's pennon depicted in a red on a silver ground. The castle stands upon a wreath of red and white above a tilting helmet, with eye slit of fifteenth century style.

The supporters, two mythical sea-horses, gracefully drawn and shaded in green with fold manes, fins and tails, are a reminder that Newcastle is a seaport. Both the supporters and crest were added to the shield - "the most ancient insignia or arms", by grant of William Flower, Norroy King of Arms, dated 16th August, 1575.

The motto, 'Fortier Defendit Triumphans' ('Triumphing by Brave Defence') was adopted during the Civil War, probably following the stubborn defence of the town against the Scots in 1644.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

"Just off the top of my head....." lol! Thanks Pete

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

I think it's because Newcastle is so near to Whitley Bay which also has a seahorse on its club crest. did you know they were in the FA Vase final by the way?

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Triumphing by brave defence? I thought Newcastle fell (after typically stubborn resistence) after a combined Jock/makem seige?

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

"Seahorse 'n chips twice please"!

Where did I put that sombrero? :o {)

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Oh that's a good one - triumphing by brave defence.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Must be a typo - Seahouses surely?

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Aye, I can see them hooses from me winda

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

The seahorses have, of course a double meaning. Firstly the sea, individially a collection of harmless droplets but together an irrepresible force that will eventually wear down the very earth itself. Will break the backs of ships and cast sailors to their doom; the nemesis of so many unfortunate souls.

Secondly the horse, a strong noble animal capable of pulling a cart of many times its own weight; Capable of dragging a heavy plough through the most unyeilding soil, yet capable of the quintessential grace of the racehorse in full gallop; the beauty of the newborn foal as it takes its first faltering steps.

And together representing the very essence of what we have come to know as Newcastle United/;

- A leaky defence comprising a few drips supported by a couple of carthorses on shaky legs.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

The sea is because we are close to the sea

The horse because we have Marcelino.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

LOL Pilgrim!

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Brilliant

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Pilgrim that is pretty good :)

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002

Did us northerners have any idea that seahorses even existed back in the 15 hundreds? I guess so.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2002