Pannus mihi panis

Today's the day ............................for a coat-of-arms

I often pass this metal coat-of-arms on one of Kendal's bridges on my walk into work and today I thought I would go and look up what it all means.

It's the coat-of-arms of Kendal Town, first seen on a John Speed map printed in 1610. It has a gold background depicting a cowhide - and the teasel (a prickly plant which dries like a sharp hairbrush) and bale hooks found in each of the sections of the shield represent the wool trade. The motto, pannus mihi panis, is often interpreted as 'wool is my bread' which would underline the importance of this industry which, for centuries, supported the people of the town.

Kendal was famous for a hard-wearing wool-based fabric known as Kendal Green that was supposedly sported by the Kendalian archers who were instrumental in the English victory over the French at the Battle of Agincourt. Kendal Green was also worn by slaves in the Americas, and is mentioned in songs and literature from that time. It was traditionally the colour of clothing worn by foresters and as such was mentioned by Shakespeare in Henry IV, Part 1.

So now I know .........................