The
Diocesan Coat of Arms
 The
motto reads ‘Under Your Protection’, referring to Our Lady. On the shield appear
lilies and choughs, which are symbols of the two patrons of the Diocese, and of
the Cathedral – Mary Immaculate and St Thomas of Canterbury.
The Lily - for the Jewish people, the lily was the first sign of Spring
which reminds us of the new age that began when Mary gave birth to Our Saviour.
For Christians, the lily is also a symbol of purity, reflecting the innocence
of Mary in a sinful world.
The Chough – this bird was part of the coat of arms
of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who escaped from Northampton castle
to a six year exile in France, before being martyred in Canterbury on 29th
December 1170. He is the secondary patron of the Diocese and of the Cathedral.
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 Bishop’s
Throne
The word ‘cathedral’ derives from the Latin word ‘cathedra’ meaning ‘chair’
or ‘seat’.
The Bishop’s throne is a symbol of the Bishop’s teaching
authority and of the unity of the Diocese.
The present throne was carved by Stephen Foster in the most
recent reordering of the sanctuary in 1998 and designed to accompany the
Triptych of the Holy Spirit behind it. | 
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