University of the West of England
Coat of arms
### Coat of arms

Echoing Bristol's long connection with the sea and the Merchant Venturers' Navigation School, the top of the crest depicts a ship's mainmast and rigging. The flaming fire basket indicates guidance, hope and the desire for learning.

The shield at the centre is adapted from that of the College of St Matthias with the wavy line representing the rivers of [Avon](/wiki/River_Avon_%28Bristol%29 "River Avon (Bristol)") and [Severn](/wiki/River_Severn "River Severn"). The [unicorn](/wiki/Unicorn "Unicorn") is taken from the arms of the City of Bristol and the sea stag from those of the former [County of Avon](/wiki/County_of_Avon "County of Avon"). Both these creatures wear a crown of [King Edgar](/wiki/Edgar_of_England "Edgar of England") around their necks. Edgar is regarded as a local monarch because he was crowned in [Bath Abbey](/wiki/Bath_Abbey "Bath Abbey") in 973\. The wavy lines enclosed in circles on the shoulders represent the fountain of knowledge and learning.

The unicorn and sea stag each support an apple tree, known as the tree of knowledge and is taken from the coat of arms of the [Council for National Academic Awards](/wiki/Council_for_National_Academic_Awards "Council for National Academic Awards") which used to authorise degrees awarded to students of Bristol Polytechnic.

The motto *Light, Liberty, Learning* is a [Disraeli](/wiki/Benjamin_Disraeli%2C_1st_Earl_of_Beaconsfield "Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield") quotation and corresponds directly to the symbolism of the coat of arms. The fire basket represents the Light, the Bristol and Avon supporters represent liberty, and the trees of knowledge and learning.


Can you explain the significance of King Edgar in Bristol's coat of arms?