[munchinmac]

Apologies if this is on another discussion - I did try a search but there were no results.
I'm curious to know why the Leeds symbol is an owl. What's behind it?
Anyone know? I enjoy 'owl spotting' around Leeds and am surprised by how many there are. While I'm here, what about the character heads that appear above red brick terrace door frames in Headingley/ Burley areas? Are they all different or are there repeats. Is it a particular architects 'trademark? Sooooo many questions. Thank you, I'm sure that there are many knowledgeable Leeds people out there. xx

[Croggy]

The three owls were taken from the coat of arms of Sir John Saville who was the first Alderman of Leeds. The sheep represents the wool industry.

[crossgates_helen]

Hang on I've got a link for that...

[crossgates_helen]

Just had to post once more ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/leeds/hi...00/8306314.stm

[JerryChicken]

As far as the heads above the doors are concerned, I know exactly which ones you mean as when I was a kid (1960s) we used to get the bus from my grans house down Burley Rd and most of the old Victorian large terrace houses have them above the doors.

I was always told that they depicted which fire insurance company the householder was covered by as each one would have its own private fire brigade - thinking about it though that would mean that the heads would all be just temporary additions depending on the householders choice of insurer.

So the truth is - I don't know

[Derc]

[QUOTE=JerryChicken;42139]As far as the heads above the doors are concerned, I know exactly which ones you mean as when I was a kid (1960s) we used to get the bus from my grans house down Burley Rd and most of the old Victorian large terrace houses have them above the doors.

I was always told that they depicted which fire insurance company the householder was covered by as each one would have its own private fire brigade - thinking about it though that would mean that the heads would all be just temporary additions depending on the householders choice of insurer.

So the truth is - I don't know [/QUOTE
Definitely not fire insurance, as you mentioned, would be a temporary addition, I have quite a collection of these.

[munchinmac]

aaaah, the head mystery continues! I'm not sure if they represent real people or just random styles.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I thought that owls were an interesting and unusual choice for a symbol, and I'll be keeping an eye out for them. The sheep (wool & weaving) is one that I could understand given Leed's links with the textile industry. xx

[johnnykaos]

The stone heads above the doorways on Burley Road are nothing to do with fires, although I know what you are referring to, Fire Marks were attached to buildings to notify which insurance company covered this building and which firestation (usually sponsored by the relevant insurance company) would respond to a fire in said building. The fire marks were usually a metal plaque with a logo / cost of arms on relating to the company that covered the building. Sometimes on grander structures it might have been incorporated into the stone masonry.

I've often looked at the stone heads above the doorways on Burley road, they do all seem to be individual but I've never heard what they related to. It was probably just a quirk of the particular developer / architects / craftsmen who built these houses. I mean in those days even things like airbricks and coal hole gratings were designed to be ornamental, unlike the bland rubbish we see manufactured today.

[aej1]

Originally Posted by munchinmac

Apologies if this is on another discussion - I did try a search but there were no results.
I'm curious to know why the Leeds symbol is an owl. What's behind it?
Anyone know? I enjoy 'owl spotting' around Leeds and am surprised by how many there are. While I'm here, what about the character heads that appear above red brick terrace door frames in Headingley/ Burley areas? Are they all different or are there repeats. Is it a particular architects 'trademark? Sooooo many questions. Thank you, I'm sure that there are many knowledgeable Leeds people out there. xx

This might be a bit obvious but is it something to do with being wise
Ann

[yorky]

Hi,
Croggy's answer seems the most logical to me,local bigwig leaving his mark,makes sense.

[Xisgil]

I agree with you Yorky - very brief and direct to the point. For Croggy, once again thank you for keeping us always inform.

Originally Posted by yorky

Hi,
Croggy's answer seems the most logical to me,local bigwig leaving his mark,makes sense.

[Derc]

The hung 'sheep' is to show the fleece, of a ram, or a sheep with horns?
the earlier shield shows the fleece, quite fatted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Leeds,

[KatieB]

I was wondering about the owl for some time now Cheers for sharing the knowledge

[bondmorkret]

Ahhh I always wondered! Noticed the owl in various places but could never figure out what it was for.

[Leeds Girl]

You can do the Owl trail. You will be amazed at how many hidden owls there are on buildings in Leeds

http://www.leedsowltrail.com/

[munchinmac]

There are also some owls in flight carved on wooden window supports on St Michaels Villas on Cardigan Road close to the traffic light junction with St Michaels Lane. Because they're painted black, they're not easy to spot initially but I bet if the paint layers were stripped back, they would look great.
xxxx

[Carabansity]

The Owls don't represent any specific variety of Owl either, just "made up by an artist" style. I was told this by the senior Curator at the City Museum when it was in the Central Library.
You can see a selection of old Leeds Fire Insurance marks at Abbey House Museum in the main street display and hanging on the walls of the Medieval stairwell next to the Cafe. They also have a curious "Greek Cross" (tilted double cross) plaque. This is the sign of the Knights Templar and appeared on many buildings in Leeds from the C13 onwards. The Templars owned a lot of land to the east of Leeds and one of the farms they had was called the "New Houses" latterly called Temple Newsam. But, they also owned land within the township around what is now called Templar Street by the market. In Medieval times you had to have your corn ground at the Kings Mills (roughly where Crown Point Bridge is now I think) as a form of taxation, but, being a religious order they were exempt from this and so many unscruplous (or perhaps simply hard pressed) homeowners claimed their land was 'Templar' after the order was disbanded to avoid this tax. They displayed the signs to show there expemption just like a tax disc today I guess.

[Ridgepics]

The knights templar sign can still be seen on the pack horse pub in Briggate.

[sunsh49]

And of course a very fine pub called "The Templars" on Vicar Lane.

Talking of the "heads" above doors I seem to recall seeing an article in a book (google book) to find what they are and AFAIK they were a sort of "sideline" for workers at the pottery factories. There are a lot along Roundhay Road as well.

[jackdaly]

Originally Posted by sunsh49

And of course a very fine pub called "The Templars" on Vicar Lane.

Talking of the "heads" above doors I seem to recall seeing an article in a book (google book) to find what they are and AFAIK they were a sort of "sideline" for workers at the pottery factories. There are a lot along Roundhay Road as well.

Does anyone remember the Templar Cafe opposite the Pub, my Uncle Bill owned it and it was renowned for its good Dinners. Next door on the corner of Vicar Lane was "Public Benefit" this was a Shoe repair shop and the Factory was behind it so you shared your dinner with a strong smell of Leather and the sound of the machines.