Portsmouth Coat of Arms

Portsmouth’s Arms, comprising an azure shield bearing a gold star and crescent, has been used for 800 years. Its history is uncertain but thought to be based on those of Richard I, or his Lord Chancellor, William de Longchamp, who granted the Town's first charter in 1194. The motto "Heaven's Light Our Guide" which was registered in 1929, is that of the Order of the Star of India and of the old Indian troop ships which embarked their passengers at Portsmouth.

Further changes were made to the arms in 1970, when Portsmouth Museums Society sponsored the grant of crest, supporters and heraldic badge. This shows a sea lion and sea unicorn which are maritime version of the Royal Crest and Supporters - a rare privilege reflecting Portsmouth's long association with the Crown. The unicorn wears a naval crown and is wrapped a representation of "The Mighty Chain of Iron", the Tudor defensive boom across Portsmouth Harbour. The crown worn by the sea lion refers to the land defences which surrounded Portsmouth from Elizabethan times to the 1800s.

Dickens’ week

In 1929 Portsmouth school teachers organised an ambitious event to celebrate the author Charles Dickens and his links with the city. A parade dressed as Dicken’s characters went from the Guildhall to his birthplace in Commercial Road, pageants and concerts were held and the culmination was a ball in the Guildhall. The event was a resounding success.

2012 will be the 200th anniversary of Dickens birth. To celebrate, Portsmouth City Council has a large community archive project which aims to reach out to everyone in the city celebrating both archives and Dickens. The culmination will be a exhibition at the City Museum.

http://www.charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk/charles-dickens-birthplace/ATaleofOneCity.htm