File:Middleton Borough Council coat of arms.jpg

Arms of the Municipal Borough of Middleton Council. File taken from civicheraldry.co.uk, with permission (see about the civic heraldry images...).

Description
This is the coat of arms of the former Middleton Municipal Borough Council (1886 - 1974).

Most of the emblems are derived from the arms of various families named Middleton. Red and gold quarters with a silver cross flory in the first quarter were the arms of Middleton of Middleton Hall. The black spur-rowel is from the arms of the family of Assheton. The cotton and the silkworm moth represent local industries, and the stork, it is alleged, represents the desire for the increase of the population. A blue boar's head erect is the crest of another family with the name Middleton and the lion rampant on a tower was the crest of the Earl of Middleton, whose motto was that adopted by the Borough. Motto 'FORTIS IN ARDUIS' - Strong in difficulties. Granted by the College of Arms on 28 January 1887.

Rationale
The inclusion of this non-free symbol (in its strictest sense) on both Middleton, Greater Manchester and Municipal Borough of Middleton is intended to improve the context and readibility of these articles. Many coat of arms of Britain's current and former councils exist on other parts of Wikipedia.

The icon is of a defunct (since 1974) organisation (the Middleton Municipal Borough Council - a former public corporation), but commonly used as a symbol of a local division of land.

Illustrates and educates re Middleton without restricting or diminishes copyright holders ability to use the image. The image exists beyond the life of the author plus 70 years.