Sigillum Bailivorum Dorcestre

Or, the Seal of the Bailiffs of Dorchester. It is now the seal of the Borough. It is very ancient as is the history of the town. The purple background is derived from when the area was part of the private estates of the king before Domesday. The Castle was built soon after the Norman Conquest and has long gone: the prison now stands in its place. The quartered arms are of England and France. The English lions commemorate the Dorset men who fought at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. The scattered fleurs-de-lys signify that the town had the right to bear the arms of France before 1405. They are arranged in the pattern of Ancient France and are apparently the only seal in the UK to show them in this way.

The photograph shows the gate to the Borough Gardens in the town. Having been to the dentist for a long haul yet again, I walked about the park in a dazed state and thought this would be an easy blip!

Hoping for a restful afternoon I was soon called upon again to move some more cattle! Never any peace for the wicked!