This is the Coat of Arms of The Society of Mines Royal which dates to 1568. The miners clothing, tools and instruments are of interest. The miners on the left and in the central panel have a pair of tools which each has a pick head and a hammer head. Remember these guys were working in very hard rock without use of explosives.

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The chap on the top shield seems to be carrying a magnetic compass in his Sinister hand and an inclinometer in his Dexter hand. The chap on the right is probably a smelter and he is wearing protective clothing and carrying a long handled fork for use in the heat of the smelting process.

They all have curious headwear which may well be a hood stuffed with padding. This would serve to protect and insulate their heads underground. The miners also wear a Miners Apron, which is a leather garment that protects your backside when working underground.

This is the Coat of Arms for the Society of Mineral & Battery Works. This company was incorporated at the same time as the Company of Mines Royal, but it had a different function. It focused on manufacturing goods out of metal. They worked with Brass, Copper, Iron and Bronze. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and the odd looking item held up by the arms at the top is a lump of calamine or zinc ore.

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The women on the left is “Science” and holds a dowsing rod. The man on the right is “Labour” and holds a panel beating hammer. Both have a symbol for knowledge on their heads.