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85-531: Waltham Holy Cross (also known as Waltham Abbey ) was a local government district in the county of Essex , England. It was created as a local board of health district in 1850 when the parish of Waltham Holy Cross adopted the Public Health Act 1848 ( 11 & 12 Vict. c. 63) and was governed by Waltham Holy Cross Local Board of Health. In 1894 it became an urban district and the board became Waltham Holy Cross Urban District Council. The district

170-435: A belfry . In 2008 the congregation moved to a more modern building, and sold the former building to an Evangelical Free church . Waltham Abbey has one senior non-League football club, Waltham Abbey F.C. which plays at Capershotts. Coat of arms Rolls of arms are collections of many coats of arms, and since the early Modern Age centuries, they have been a source of information for public showing and tracing

255-574: A county review order in 1934, an area of 58 acres with a population of 23 (in 1931) was transferred to Chingford Urban District . The Enfield Island Village area was transferred from Waltham Abbey to the London Borough of Enfield in 1994. Over the centuries many channels have been dug to divide the River Lea and drain the westernmost land. These channels flow southward across Cheshunt Marsh and part of Waltham Abbey parish; As of

340-596: A national flag and a national coat of arms, and the two may not look alike at all. For example, the flag of Scotland (St Andrew's Cross) has a white saltire on a blue field , but the royal arms of Scotland has a red lion within a double tressure on a gold (or) field. Among the states ruled by communist regimes, emblems resembling those of the Soviet states were adopted in all the Warsaw Pact states except Czechoslovakia and Poland . Since 1986–1989, some of

425-539: A prior or dean . In 1184, this was enlarged so that Waltham became an abbey with an abbot and twenty-four canons, which grew to be the richest monastery in Essex. The town grew to the west and south of the abbey. In 1189, the town was chartered by Richard the Lionheart to host regular markets and fairs. The market continues to run today, and is held at the town's market square on Tuesdays and Saturdays. In

510-488: A family or municipal body. Assumed arms (arms invented and used by the holder rather than granted by an authority) are considered valid unless they can be proved in court to copy that of an earlier holder. In the heraldic traditions of England and Scotland , an individual, rather than a family, had a coat of arms. In those traditions coats of arms are legal property transmitted from father to son; wives and daughters could also bear arms modified to indicate their relation to

595-561: A fish. The recorded history of the town began during the reign of Canute in the early 11th century when his standard-bearer Tovi or Tofig the Proud, founded (or rebuilt) a church here to house the miraculous cross discovered at Montacute in Somerset . It is this cross that gave Waltham the earliest suffix to its name. After Tovi's death around 1045, Waltham reverted to the King ( Edward

680-459: A glory and clouds, displayed with no helm, torse, or mantling (unlike most European precedents at the time). Many of the American states have adopted their own coats of arms , which usually designed as part of the respective state's seal . Vermont has both a state seal and a state coat of arms that are independent of one another (though both contain a pine tree, a cow and sheaves of grain);

765-586: Is Waltham Cross , on the Lea Valley lines , around 25 minutes from London Liverpool Street and 30 minutes from Stratford . It is in London fare zone 7 and a mile from the town centre at neighbouring Waltham Cross. It opened in 1840 as "Waltham" and was named "Waltham Cross and Abbey" in 1894, but reverted to "Waltham Cross" in 1969. The station is planned for inclusion on Crossrail 2 . Other nearby railway stations include Chingford and Cheshunt , also on

850-452: Is a 17th-century timber framed and plastered building. It was given by Edward Denny, 1st Earl of Norwich to create the first curacy, but was much altered in the 18th century and later, and was more recently architecturally Grade II*listed . In the early 19th century the church held three Sunday services, including one in the evening for the local factory workers. In 1862, Holy Communion was celebrated monthly and attended by about 100. In

935-631: Is a suburban town and civil parish in the Epping Forest District of Essex , within the metropolitan and urban area of London , England , 13.5 miles (21.7 km) north-east of Charing Cross . It lies on the Greenwich Meridian , between the River Lea in the west and Epping Forest in the east, with large sections forming part of the Metropolitan Green Belt . The town borders Chingford to

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1020-720: Is based at Waltham Abbey Town Hall on Highbridge Street. Waltham Abbey has formed part of the Epping Forest parliamentary constituency since 1974, represented by Dr Neil Hudson MP of the Conservative Party since 2024 . Prior to 1974, the town formed part of the Epping constituency, served by Sir Winston Churchill as its Member of Parliament between 1924 and 1945. Other previous MPs include Dame Eleanor Laing , Steve Norris , John Biggs-Davison , and Norman Tebbit . The ancient parish of Waltham Holy Cross

1105-585: Is much of Epping Forest , maintained by the City of London Corporation ; entirely within it is the village of High Beach . In the south is Gilwell Park , which since 1919 has formed an important site for the worldwide Scout movement . Following the course of the River Lea along the town's western boundary with Hertfordshire and historic Middlesex is the Lee Valley Regional Park , where

1190-458: The 2021 census , the population of Waltham Abbey was 22,859, an increase from 21,149 in 2011. The majority of the population (82%) resides in the main built-up area, which had a 2021 population of 18,647. The 2021 census showed that 74.6% of the civil parish population identified as White British . 63.8% of the civil parish population was Christian at the 2011 census, with 25.3% declaring themselves irreligious . Minority religious groups include

1275-613: The Battle of Hastings in 1066, Harold's body was brought to Waltham for burial near to the High Altar. Today, the spot is marked by a stone slab in the churchyard (originally the site of the high altar before the Reformation). In 1177, as part of his penance for his part in the murder of Thomas Becket , Archbishop of Canterbury , Henry II refounded Harold's church as a priory of Augustinian Canons Regular of sixteen canons and

1360-641: The Consulta Araldica , the college of arms of the Kingdom of Italy , was abolished in 1948, personal coats of arms and titles of nobility, though not outlawed, are not recognised. Coats of arms in Spain were generally left up to the owner themselves, but the design was based on military service and the heritage of their grandparents. In France , the coat of arms is based on the Fleur-de-lys and

1445-1029: The Genealogical Office through the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland . Heraldry in Northern Ireland is regulated by the British Government by the College of Arms through the Norroy and Ulster King of Arms . The heraldic tradition and style of modern and historic Germany and the Holy Roman Empire – including national and civic arms, noble and burgher arms , ecclesiastical heraldry, heraldic displays, and heraldic descriptions – stand in contrast to Gallo-British, Latin and Eastern heraldry, and strongly influenced

1530-700: The Lee Valley White Water Centre hosted the canoe slalom events of the London 2012 Olympic Games . For over 300 years, the Royal Gunpowder Mills on the Millhead Stream were in operation, where many of the processes used in the explosives industry were invented and developed; it today forms a scheduled ancient monument site with many listed buildings , and is a site of special scientific interest . Historically an ancient parish named Waltham Holy Cross in

1615-659: The London Passenger Transport Area from 1933. Following the Local Government Act 1929, in 1932 it was proposed that Waltham Holy Cross and Chingford should be merged to form a new urban district of Chingford and Waltham Abbey. The amalgamation was supported by Chingford Urban District Council but was not supported by the Waltham Holy Cross Urban District Council, who feared increased rates and

1700-658: The Loughton post town of the IG postcode area , and the Sewardstone and Gilwell Park areas to the southwest are within the E postcode area of the London post town . The main settlement in the parish is the town of Waltham Abbey, and the other smaller settlements are the hamlets of Claverhambury, Fishers Green , Holyfield, High Beach , Sewardstone and Upshire . Claverhambury consists of approximately 15 homes and farms by two woods, Deerpark Wood and Stockings Grove, to

1785-567: The Muslim and Jewish populations, forming 1.7 and 1.1 percent of the population respectively. The medieval Waltham Abbey Church was kept as it was close to a town and is still used as a parish church. In addition there are other remains of the former abbey – the Grade II*listed Midnight Chapel, the gatehouse, a vaulted passage and Harold's Bridge – all in the care of English Heritage . These grounds are notable for

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1870-594: The Rule of Tinctures used in English heraldry as well. The monarch of Canada's prerogative to grant armorial bearings has been delegated to the Governor General of Canada . Canada has its own Chief Herald and Herald Chancellor . The Canadian Heraldic Authority , the governmental agency which is responsible for creating arms and promoting Canadian heraldry, is situated at Rideau Hall . The Great Seal of

1955-545: The Waltham Holy Cross Urban District . The urban district council built itself the Town Hall in 1904 to serve as its headquarters. Following the Local Government Act 1929, in 1932 it was proposed that it should be merged with Chingford to form a new urban district of 'Chingford and Waltham Abbey'. The amalgamation was supported by Chingford Urban District Council but was not supported by

2040-482: The Waltham hundred of Essex, it became a local government district in 1850, and was granted urban district status in 1894. The town was granted a charter to host a regular market by Richard I in 1189, and it remains a market town . Whilst the use of the name Waltham Abbey for the town dates back to the 16th century at the earliest, it never officially had that name until 1974, when the successor parish covering

2125-580: The leopard in the arms of Benin , Malawi , Somalia , the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, in the form of the black panther, of Gabon . In Kenya , the Swahili word Harambee (lit. "Let us come together") is used as a motto in the country's coat of arms. In Botswana and Lesotho , meanwhile, the word Pula (lit. "Rain") is used in like fashion. In the coat of arms of Eswatini ,

2210-623: The star and crescent symbol taken from the Ottoman flag . Other commonly seen symbols are birds, chiefly the Eagle of Saladin , and the Hawk of Quraish . These symbols can be found on the coat of arms of Egypt , and Syria , amongst others. Sub-Saharan African flags and emblems after decolonisation often chose emblems based on regional traditions or wildlife. Symbols of a ritual significance according to local custom were generally favoured, such as

2295-587: The surcoat with heraldic designs worn by combatants, especially in the knightly tournament , in Old French cote a armer . The sense is transferred to the heraldic design itself in Middle English, in the mid-14th century. Despite no common, enforceable widespread regulation, heraldry has remained consistent across Europe, where tradition alone has governed the design and use of arms. Some nations, such as England and Scotland , still maintain

2380-502: The 11th century, and was rebuilt and re-founded by King Harold Godwinson , the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, in 1060. It is believed to be Harold's final resting place after his death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Open to the public as Waltham Abbey Gardens, the grounds of the abbey and Cornmill Meadows are maintained by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority . Along the town's eastern edge

2465-402: The 17th century there were four churchwardens (who fulfilled some roles of local government, collected and distributing poor relief): one each for the town, Holyfield, Upshire, and Sewardstone. Joseph Hall , curate from 1608, was later Bishop successively of Exeter and Norwich. A complete diocesan list of curates was printed to 1888 and Thomas Fuller , author of The Worthies of England and of

2550-460: The 7th century. Traces of the flint rubble foundations of a 7th-century wooden church have been found under the choir of the present building; an associated burial has been radiocarbon dated to between 590 and 690. A proposed date of circa 610 would place its construction in the reign of Sæberht of Essex , who was noted for his church-building activities. Other finds included a 7th-century Kentish jewellery book-clasp depicting eagles grasping

2635-540: The American city of Waltham in Middlesex County , Massachusetts , and is twinned with the German town of Hörstel . The name Waltham derives from weald or wald "forest" and ham "homestead" or "enclosure". The name of the ancient parish was usually given as "Waltham Holy Cross" in civil matters and "Waltham Abbey" in ecclesiastical matters. The use of the name Waltham Abbey for the main settlement in

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2720-582: The British and Western European systems. Much of the terminology and classifications are taken from it. However, with the fall of the French monarchy (and later Empire) there is not currently a Fons Honorum (power to dispense and control honors) to strictly enforce heraldic law. The French Republics that followed have either merely affirmed pre-existing titles and honors or vigorously opposed noble privilege. Coats of arms are considered an intellectual property of

2805-539: The Church. The latter typically allude to their ideal of life, or to specific pontifical programmes. A well-known and widely displayed example in recent times was Pope John Paul II 's arms. His selection of a large letter M (for the Virgin Mary ) was intended to express the message of his strong Marian devotion . Roman Catholic dioceses are also each assigned a coat of arms, as are basilicas or papal churches,

2890-566: The Confessor ), who gave it to the Earl Harold Godwinson (later king). Harold rebuilt Tovi's church in stone around 1060, in gratitude it is said for his cure from a paralysis, through praying before the miraculous cross. Waltham's people used the abbey as their parish church, and paid their tithes , worked the glebe as well any of their lord's land, and paid other dues to the canons. Legend has it that after his death at

2975-529: The Crooked Mile. Holyfield consists of approximately 11 homes and farms and is mostly on the western slopes of Monkham's Hill, near the top of which is situated Monkham's Hall. Seven buildings in the hamlet are architecturally listed . In the west are plant nurseries above lakes of the River Lea, and an arboretum and tree nursery separate the hamlet from the town to the south. It is located at grid reference grid reference TL385035 . Following

3060-756: The Greater London Conurbation, the urban district formed part of the review area for the Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London . However, it did not subsequently become part of the Greater London administrative area created in 1965, because it was surrounded by the Metropolitan Green Belt and had limited connection to the London built-up area. The urban district was abolished in 1974 to become part of

3145-627: The Lea Valley and parts of the former Abbey Gardens are now in the care of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority for recreational use and nature conservation. The Epping Forest Conservation Centre in High Beach provides information, maps, books, cards, displays and advice for visitors to the area. There are no mainline or tube stations in Waltham Abbey itself, although there are several located nearby. The nearest mainline station

3230-691: The Lea Valley lines. The nearest London Underground station is Loughton , on the Central line . Local bus services were historically operated by London Buses , but are now run by various commercial operators. In 2024, the London Assembly agreed a motion calling on Transport for London to restore service between Waltham Abbey and neighbouring Chingford. Several local routes provide services to Cheshunt, Epping, Harlow, Loughton, and Waltham Cross, with operators including Arriva Herts & Essex and Central Connect. The M25 motorway runs through

3315-538: The United States uses on the obverse as its central motif a heraldic achievement described as being the arms of the nation. The seal, and the armorial bearings, were adopted by the Continental Congress on 20 June 1782, and is a shield divided palewise into thirteen pieces, with a blue chief, which is displayed upon the breast of an American bald eagle. The crest is thirteen stars breaking through

3400-499: The Waltham Holy Cross Urban District Council, who feared increased rates and the potential loss of the annual fair and market. The lack of a direct rail connection between the districts was also highlighted. The review resulted in no amalgamation, and only a small transfer of territory from Waltham Holy Cross to Chingford following a county review order in 1934. As it formed part of the Registrar General's definition of

3485-522: The Waltham Holy Cross Urban District. It was renamed Waltham Abbey upon creation in 1974. By resolution of the new parish council , the civil parish adopted the status of a town, allowing the parish council to take the title Waltham Abbey Town Council, with its headquarters at Waltham Abbey Town Hall . The district was bounded on the west by the River Lea and contained a large part of Epping Forest . The main settlement

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3570-430: The area was extensively covered in glass-houses and market gardens . Gravel extraction has also long been a major industry in the Lea Valley , leaving a legacy of pits now used for recreation and an important wildlife habitat. In 1959–60 all of the church's houses and land were converted to stock or bank investments. No rectory has existed – the benefice before becoming the present vicarage serving four churches in

3655-775: The arms of Essex County Council. A heraldic fountain on the stag's shoulder represented the King George V Reservoir . The colours of the torse wreath and mantling were red and white: the livery colours of both Essex County Council and the City of London Corporation , custodians of Epping Forest. The coat of arms of the urban district council were transferred to Waltham Abbey Town Council by Order in Council in 1974. 51°36′N 0°06′E  /  51.6°N 0.1°E  / 51.6; 0.1 Waltham Abbey 51°41′05″N 0°00′01″E  /  51.6846°N 0.0004°E  / 51.6846; 0.0004 Waltham Abbey

3740-627: The civil parish of Waltham Abbey had a population of 22,859. The town is named and renowned for its former abbey , the last in England to be dissolved , now the Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross and St Lawrence —a scheduled ancient monument and the town's parish church . A place of worship since the 7th century, it became a place of pilgrimage following the Legend of the Holy Cross in

3825-422: The county boundary with Hertfordshire , is the town's western boundary, and the eastern boundary runs through Epping Forest. The land rises gradually from the marshes and meadows by the river to a small plateau of london clay in the east, 60–90 metres above sea level , capped in the highest parts by the sand and gravel of Epping Forest. On the river the elevations range from 22m in the northwest to 13.5m in

3910-643: The current holder of the arms. Undifferenced arms are used only by one person at any given time. Other descendants of the original bearer could bear the ancestral arms only with some difference : usually a colour change or the addition of a distinguishing charge . One such charge is the label , which in British usage (outside the Royal Family ) is now always the mark of an heir apparent or (in Scotland) an heir presumptive . Because of their importance in identification, particularly in seals on legal documents,

3995-502: The development of the Royal Gunpowder Mills (an Anchor Point of ERIH, The European Route of Industrial Heritage ) through interactive and traditional exhibitions and displays. The site hosts living history and battle re-enactment events most summer weekends and also offers a self-guided nature walk that shows visitors the ecology that has reclaimed much of the remaining 175 acres (0.71 km ). The former gravel pits in

4080-659: The end of the 12th century, in England by King Richard I during the Third Crusade (1189–1192). Burgher arms were used in Northern Italy in the second half of the 14th century, and in the Holy Roman Empire by the mid 14th century. In the late medieval period, use of arms spread to the clergy, to towns as civic identifiers, and to royally chartered organizations such as universities and trading companies. The arts of vexillology and heraldry are closely related. The term coat of arms itself in origin refers to

4165-596: The ex- Communist states , such as Russia , have reused their original pre-communist heraldry, often with only the symbols of monarchy removed. Other countries such as Belarus have retained their communist coats of arms or at least kept some of the old heraldry. With the independence of the modern nation states of the Arab World from the First World War onwards, European traditions of heraldry were partially adopted for state emblems. These emblems often involve

4250-572: The few it did grant were annulled by the other Kings of Arms because they encroached upon their jurisdictions. Its purpose was supposedly to marshal an expedition to fully conquer Ireland that never materialized. Since 1 April 1943 the authority has been split between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland . Heraldry in the Republic of Ireland is regulated by the Government of Ireland , by

4335-501: The first History of Waltham Abbey , was curate 1649–58. In the 17th century, a gunpowder factory was opened in the town, no doubt due to good river communications and empty marshland by the River Lea and this now forms the museum below. The factory was sold to the government in 1787 and was greatly expanded during the next century, becoming the Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills . In the 19th century, searches began for more powerful and reliant propellant explosives , and guncotton

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4420-494: The former Waltham Holy Cross Urban District was named Waltham Abbey. It was included in the Metropolitan Police District in 1840, and the London postal district upon its inception in 1856. It formed part of the review area for the Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London , but did not become part of the Greater London administrative area in 1965. Its administrative headquarters have been at Waltham Abbey Town Hall since 1904. The town most likely gives its name to

4505-415: The good government of the Officers of Arms; to nominate Officers to fill vacancies in the College of Arms; to punish and correct Officers of Arms for misbehaviour in the execution of their places". It was further declared that no patents of arms or any ensigns of nobility should be granted and no augmentation, alteration, or addition should be made to arms without the consent of the Earl Marshal. In Ireland

4590-483: The latter usually displaying these on the building. These may be used in countries which otherwise do not use heraldic devices. In countries like Scotland with a strong statutory heraldic authority, arms will need to be officially granted and recorded. Flags are used to identify ships (where they are called ensigns ), embassies and such, and they use the same colors and designs found in heraldry, but they are not usually considered to be heraldic. A country may have both

4675-416: The medieval and early Tudor periods , there were two guilds in the parish, each with an endowment for a priest: the Brotherhood of Our Lady, and the Charnel Guild, whose priest was also the parish curate. The former, which existed from at least 1375, occupied the Lady Chapel in the parochial part of the church. The Charnel Guild, which occurs as 'the Sepulchre' in 1366, probably used its crypt. Henry VIII

4760-506: The membership of a noble family , and therefore its genealogy across time . Heraldic designs came into general use among European nobility in the 12th century. Systematic, heritable heraldry had developed by the beginning of the 13th century. Exactly who had a right to use arms, by law or social convention , varied to some degree between countries. Early heraldic designs were personal, used by individual noblemen (who might also alter their chosen design over time). Arms become hereditary by

4845-413: The middle of the parish and can be accessed east of the town at Junction 26 via Honey Lane or the rural relief road, the A121 directly south of the motorway. The north-west of the parish contains part of the Lee Valley Park . Most of the parish, and the majority of its population, are within the Waltham Abbey post town of the EN postcode area . However, lightly populated parts to the south are within

4930-406: The municipal council. At a national level, "coats of arms" were generally retained by European states with constitutional continuity of more than a few centuries, including constitutional monarchies like Denmark as well as old republics like San Marino and Switzerland . In Italy the use of coats of arms was only loosely regulated by the states existing before the unification of 1861. Since

5015-427: The new Epping Forest District. A successor parish was created covering the former Waltham Holy Cross Urban District, but with the new parish being named Waltham Abbey rather than Waltham Holy Cross. The new parish council created in 1974 resolved that the parish should have the status of a town under the Local Government Act 1972 , allowing it to take the name Waltham Abbey Town Council. The River Lea, which forms

5100-404: The north-east of the town centre. Its bounds are the eastern slopes of Galley Hill. The western side of this hilltop is wooded. It is directly south of Epping Long Green, a tall ridge topped by the Stort Valley Way footpath between the towns of Epping and Harlow . Fishers Green is a locality 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the town of Waltham Abbey on the B194 road on the section known as

5185-450: The parish seems to have originated in the 16th century, although there has often been inconsistency in the use of the two names. Despite the similar name, the parish never included Waltham Cross on the opposite side of the River Lea , which formed part of the parish of Cheshunt in Hertfordshire . The civil parish of Waltham Holy Cross was formally renamed Waltham Abbey in 1974. There are traces of prehistoric and Roman settlement in

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5270-433: The potential loss of the annual fair and market. The lack of a direct rail connection between the districts was also highlighted. The review resulted in no amalgamation and only a small transfer of territory from Waltham Holy Cross to Chingford. The district was within the Metropolitan Police District and part of the review area of the Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London , however it did not form part of

5355-476: The present day, coats of arms are still in use by a variety of institutions and individuals: for example, many European cities and universities have guidelines on how their coats of arms may be used, and protect their use as trademarks as any other unique identifier might be. Many societies exist that also aid in the design and registration of personal arms. Heraldry has been compared to modern corporate logos . The French system of heraldry greatly influenced

5440-403: The proposed Greater London area, because it was entirely within the Metropolitan Green Belt and had limited connection to the London built-up area. The urban district was abolished by the Local Government Act 1972 on 1 April 1974, becoming part of the non-metropolitan district of Epping Forest . To permit some continued local governance, a successor parish was formed for the area of

5525-414: The reputed grave of Harold II or "Harold Godwinson" , the last Anglo-Saxon King of England. Housed in a building dating back to 1520 is the Epping Forest District Museum , which tells the story of the people who have lived and worked in this part of south Essex from the earliest times to the present. On the site of a former gunpowder factory another museum illustrates the evolution of explosives and

5610-428: The same heraldic authorities which have traditionally granted and regulated arms for centuries and continue to do so in the present day. In England, for example, the granting of arms is and has been controlled by the College of Arms . Unlike seals and other general emblems , heraldic "achievements" have a formal description called a blazon , which uses vocabulary that allows for consistency in heraldic depictions. In

5695-399: The seal is used to authenticate documents, whilst the heraldic device represents the state itself. The Vatican City State and the Holy See each have their own coat of arms . As the papacy is not hereditary, its occupants display their personal arms combined with those of their office. Some popes came from armigerous (noble) families; others adopted coats of arms during their career in

5780-406: The south; Loughton , Theydon Bois and Buckhurst Hill to the east; Cheshunt , Waltham Cross and Enfield to the west; and the rural areas of Nazeing and Epping Upland to the north. As well as the main built-up area, the parish covers the areas of Claverhambury, Fishers Green , High Beach , Holyfield, Lippitts Hill , Sewardstone , Sewardstonebury and Upshire . As of the 2021 census ,

5865-406: The southwest . To the southwest, occupying a former course of the River Lea, is the King George V Reservoir , opened in 1913. Cobbins Brook , a tributary of the River Lea, crosses the parish from east to west. Waltham Abbey parish includes in its 41 km the villages and hamlets of High Beach , Holyfield, Sewardstone and Upshire . The M25 motorway runs to the south of the town through

5950-452: The styles and customs of heraldry in the Nordic countries , which developed comparatively late. In the Nordic countries , provinces, regions, cities, and municipalities have coats of arms. These are posted at the borders and on buildings containing official offices, as well as used in official documents and on the uniforms of municipal officers. Arms may also be used on souvenirs or other effects, given that an application has been granted by

6035-430: The town, with the interchange for Junction 26 at Waltham Abbey. The main roads running through the town are the A112 and A121 . The Anglican abbey church is dedicated to St Lawrence. The town has long had a Catholic church . For some decades this was in a former Methodist chapel, an irregularly shaped Edwardian building of stone-dressed red brick with a roof of Welsh slate tiles in free late gothic style with

6120-513: The town. Ermine Street lies only 5 km west and the causeway across the River Lea from Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire may be a Roman construction. A local legend claims that Boudica 's rebellion against the Romans ended in the neighbourhood, when she poisoned herself with hemlock gathered on the banks of Cobbins Brook . There has been a church on the site of Waltham Abbey since

6205-582: The usage and granting of coats of arms was strictly regulated by the Ulster King of Arms from the office's creation in 1552. After Irish independence in 1922 the office was still functioning and working out of Dublin Castle . The last Ulster King of Arms was Sir Nevile Rodwell Wilkinson [Ulster King of Arms 1908–1940], who held it until his death in 1940. At the Irish government's request, no new King of Arms

6290-659: The use of arms is a matter of civil law and regulated by the College of Arms and the High Court of Chivalry . In reference to a dispute over the exercise of authority over the Officers of Arms in England, Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey , Lord Privy Seal , declared on 16 June 1673 that the powers of the Earl Marshal were "to order, judge, and determine all matters touching arms, ensigns of nobility, honour, and chivalry; to make laws, ordinances, and statutes for

6375-493: The use of arms was strictly regulated; few countries continue in this today. This has been carried out by heralds and the study of coats of arms is therefore called "heraldry". In time, the use of arms spread from military entities to educational institutes, and other establishments. In Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms has criminal jurisdiction to control the use of arms. In England, Northern Ireland and Wales

6460-602: The wider area was a perpetual curacy — a relevant fact for the purposes of chancel repair liability that therefore cannot exist. In the 1960s and 1970s, the population of the town increased, partly by an extensive programme of clearances and redevelopment in the town centre, and partly by the development of housing estates on the outskirts, such as Roundhills and Ninefields. There are three tiers of local government covering Waltham Abbey, at parish (town), district and county level: Waltham Abbey Town Council, Epping Forest District Council and Essex County Council . The town council

6545-465: Was a frequent visitor and is said to have had a house or lodge at Romeland, adjacent to the abbey. During their summer progress of 1532, Henry and Queen Anne Boleyn stayed at Waltham Abbey for five days. The town's dependence on the Abbey is signalled by its decline after the Abbey was dissolved and partially demolished in 1540, the last working abbey or monastery to be dissolved. Waltham Abbey vicarage

6630-419: Was abolished in 1974. The urban district council was granted a coat of arms on 9 November 1956. The black engrailed cross and four gold cross crosslets on a silver ground come from the arms of Waltham Abbey and the lion's face is from the attributed arms of King Harold Godwinson . The crest above the arms featured a stag for Epping Forest . In the stag's mouth was a seaxe, or distinctive notched sword, from

6715-412: Was also a fulling mill at Sewardstone around 1777 and a pin factory by 1805. Silk and calico printing were also important industries. The River Lee Navigation was also improved, a new canal cut across the marshes was opened in 1769, bringing more trade to the town. Outside the town, the parish is largely rural and agriculture has been an important occupation. In the first half of the 20th century,

6800-543: Was appointed. Thomas Ulick Sadleir , the Deputy Ulster King of Arms, then became the Acting Ulster King of Arms. He served until the office was merged with that of Norroy King of Arms in 1943 and stayed on until 1944 to clear up the backlog. An earlier Ireland King of Arms was created by King Richard II in 1392 and discontinued by King Henry VII in 1487. It did not grant many coats of arms –

6885-522: Was developed here by Frederick Abel , starting in 1863. Cordite production began in 1891 and the site was enlarged several times. The site was an obvious target during World War II, and a German V-2 rocket landed near the factory in Highbridge Street on 7 March 1945, causing considerable damage to property and large loss of life. The factory eventually closed in 1943, and the site was developed into an explosives research establishment. There

6970-555: Was formed covering the abolished urban district, named Waltham Abbey . The large ancient parish of Waltham Holy Cross adopted the Public Health Act 1848 ( 11 & 12 Vict. c. 63) and the Waltham Holy Cross Local Board of Health District was formed in 1850. The local government district became an urban district in 1894. The district formed part of the London Traffic Area from 1924 and

7055-657: Was in the Waltham Hundred of Essex. The parish was divided into the township of Waltham Abbey and the hamlets of Upshire, Holyfield, and Sewardstone. The parish was included in the Metropolitan Police District in 1840. The whole parish was made a local board of health district in 1850, governed by a local board. Such districts were reconstituted as urban districts in 1894 under the Local Government Act 1894 , so it became

7140-493: Was the town of Waltham Abbey , with four outlying hamlets of Holyfield , Upshire , High Beech and Sewardstone . Following a county review order in 1934, an area of 58 acres with a population of 23 (in 1931) was transferred to Chingford Urban District . The district was governed by Waltham Holy Cross Local Board of Health from 1850 to 1894. Following the Local Government Act 1894 , the board of health became Waltham Holy Cross Urban District Council. The urban district council

7225-405: Was within the review area of the Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London in 1957, as well as being among the areas within London's Metropolitan Police District , but was not included in the Greater London area created in 1965. The district was abolished and amalgamated with other local government districts in 1974 to form the Epping Forest District . That year, a successor parish

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