Messis Ab Altis

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This eroded plaque bearing the Latin Motto MESSIS AB ALTIS shows a pitman and a seaman; two occupations which were chosen as bearers for the coat of arms of the old Tynemouth Borough. Mining, sailing and fishing used to be mainstays of the local economy so a motto meaning ‘harvest of the deep’ could not be more apt for the pitmen who worked deep underground hewing coal and for the fisherman catching fish from the depths of the sea. This plaque can be seen at King Edward School, North Shields which was opened 12th September 1908.