As the first Morris team on the West Coast, and being comprised of generally anti-authoritarian miscreants, Berkeley Morris granted itself the authority to grant itself arms in 1985, with a version similar to the one we use today emerging approx. 1989. The arms feature a dancer (originally modeled after our fore, Randall Cayford) executing a Fieldtown caper; Lucy, our hobby; and the tools of our craft: sticks, hanks, and a bellpad of the type worn by Morris dancers on their shins.
If you’re inclined to immerse yourself in all the heraldic details, here they are:
Blazon
by Jonathan Coxhead, MMXXIII
Arms: A cartouche¹ party per fess grady² azure and vert a morris dancer affronty-saltant argent waving 2 handkerchiefs of the same vested³ gules beribboned⁴ capped and shod sable within a bordure of the last fimbriated and charged with the words Berkeley Morris argent.
Supporter: A California bear affronty wearing a garland with California poppy, behind 2 staves in pale and 2 staves in fess, pendant from the upper 2 handkerchiefs, pendant from the lower a bellpad, all proper.
¹ The cartouche is used for arms of clergy and for arms of women in Continental Europe. Its use here recalls both our namesake, Bishop Berkeley, and our inclusive membership.
² This is an innovation in the category of lines meaning that there is no line as such: the colours blend into each other. Once hard to achieve, modern technology makes this easy.
³ This word usually means “clothed in” and is followed by the name of an article of clothing. Here, the garment is a vest, and so is omitted.
⁴ Another innovation, hopefully clear.