Westland (Netherlands)

Zuid-Holland province

Last modified: 2004-08-14 by jarig bakker
Keywords: westland |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors

• Westland municipality
• Westland CoA

• De Lier
• 's-Gravenzande
• Monster
• Naaldwijk
• Wateringen

• The Netherlands
• The Netherlands - Index of all pages
• South Holland Province - The Municipalities
• Alphabetical list of Dutch municipalities

Westland municipality

Westland CoA

At this site is the new Coat of Arms.
Representatives of the former municipalities wrote an advisory letter to the High Council of Nobility, which designed the new arms.
Description: per fess I. argent an issuant lion gules tongued and nailed azure; II. in vert a five times dented fess argent; the shield surmounted by a golden crown of fourteen pearls, topped by three pearls.

Explanation: The top half of the shield represents the relationship in the Middle Ages between the Counts of Holland and the Lords of Naaldwijk. The Holland lion is identical to the one of Naaldwijk. The lion of 's-Gravenzande, which was the residence of the Count, originates in the Holland lion. The Lords of Naaldwijk were relatives of the Wateringen family. The colors of De Lier are represented by retaining red and silver as main colors.
The bottom part of the shield symbolizes the (green) fertile land behind the Westlandian dunes. The dented silver fess symbolizes the main occupation: horticulture (warehouses) as well as the five former municipalities and its glass-structures.
The shield is covered by the count's crown of Monster. The arms of Monster was the only one with a pearly crown. It cannot be granted anymore, but it is possible to retain one.
This CoA is intended for use on official dress and marriage acts; the mayorial chain will also contain the municipal arms.
Jarig Bakker, 31 Jul 2004