Editing Angers (section)

=== Heraldry ===

[[File:Blason d'Angers.svg|thumb|100px|Coat of arms of Angers]]
[[File:Blason ville fr Angers-Empire.svg|thumb|100px|Coat of arms under Napoleon's rule]]
The coat of arms of Angers bears the French royal [[fleur de lys]] of the [[Duchy of Anjou|dukes of Anjou]] (the first duke was the son of the king of France, [[John II of France|Jean II]]); the key evokes the stronghold position of the city close to the [[Brittany|Breton]] border. An [[acrostic]] from the Middle Ages calls it ''Antique clef de France'', which means "Ancient key to France":

* '''A'''ntique clef de France, (''antique key to France'')
* '''N'''eteté de souffrance, (''sharpness of displeasure'')
* '''G'''arant contre ennemis, (''protection against enemies'')
* '''E'''tappe d'assurance, (''step of assurance'')
* '''R'''ecours de secourance, (''help of relief'')
* '''S'''ecurité d'amis. (''security for friends'')

Under [[Napoleon I]]'s rule, Angers was one of the "Bonnes villes" and was therefore allowed to ask for a new coat of arms. The bees, symbol of the [[First French Empire]], then replaced the royal fleurs de lys.

In 1949, Angers received the [[1939–1945 War Cross (France)|1939–1945 War Cross]] and since then, the decoration is sometimes placed between the two fleurs de lys.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distinctions : Angers.fr |url=http://www.angers.fr/decouvrir-angers/histoire-d-angers/aide-m%C3%A9moire/pour-s-informer/emblemes-et-devises/distinctions/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213092431/http://www.angers.fr/decouvrir-angers/histoire-d-angers/aide-m%C3%A9moire/pour-s-informer/emblemes-et-devises/distinctions/index.html |archive-date=13 February 2013 |access-date=23 August 2017}}</ref>

Angers also had several mottos through its history:<ref>{{Cite web |title=City website |url=http://www.angers.fr/index.php?id=51132 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801122633/http://www.angers.fr/index.php?id=51132 |archive-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

* During [[Classical antiquity|Antiquity]]: ''Assiuis conciliis'' (or ''consiliis'');
* From 1434 to 1480 (reign of [[René of Anjou]]): ''D'ardent désir'';
* In 1499: ''Antique clef de France'';
* Until June 1987: ''Angers, la qualité''.