Gravesend

Went to Gravesend today to meet up with an old friend for lunch. Afterwards took a walk around the market in the older part of town. This mosaic was situated high up near the entrance. Its history is as follows....

In 1568 the second Charter Of Incorporation was granted to Gravesend by Queen Elizabeth I. The town then chose a coat of arms. This was a device of a boat with 1 mast, with it's sail furled. Instead the boat was rowed by 5 hooded rowers and steered by a porcupine.

The porcupine is thought to be a compliment to Sir Henry Sydney, Steward of the Honour of Otford, in whose stewardship Gravesend and Milton were at the time. His arms embodied a porcupine, the rowers showed Gravesend's association with the river side and waterfront.