Saint Mungo and The Crest

St. Kentigern/St.Mungo

Saint Mungo
In the 6th century the Christian bishop, Kentigern – later known as St. Mungo – established a monastery in Glasgow, and under the laws of a bishop (which made Glasgow a bishopric) the once small, rural settlement became one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the Kingdom of Scotland.

The Coat of Arms.

The Crest
The Coat of Arms of the City of Glasgow was given to the royal burgh by the Lord Lyon on 25 October 1866. It incorporates symbols and emblems that represent miracles supposed to have been performed by St. Mungo. These miracles are listed in the traditional rhyme:

Here's the bird that never flew

Here's the tree that never grew

Here's the bell that never rang

Here's the fish that never swam

Different interpretations of the rhyme exist; one of them can be found here.


The Bell

A St. Mungo's handbell.

In 1450, John Stewart, the first Lord Provost[1] of Glasgow, left a sum of money so that a "St. Mungo's Bell" could be made. The toll of the bell could be heard throughout the city and should serve as a reminder for people to pray for the soul of St. Mungo.

The original bell disappeared some time after 1578 but a new bell was purchased by the judges of Glasgow court in 1641. This bell is on display in the People's Palace Museum.

St. Mungo is said to have preached a sermon containing the words Lord, Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the word and the praising of thy name. This was abbreviated to Let Glasgow Flourish and adopted as Glasgow's motto.

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[1] A provost is a person in charge of a college.