Portcullis

[1] A portcullis gate is constructed of a latticed grille, made of wood or metal or both, which slides down grooves inset within each jamb of the gateway.

Every portcullis was mounted in vertical grooves in the walls of the castle and could be raised or lowered quickly by using chains or ropes attached to an internal winch.

Other (around 30) South African coats of arms that include a portcullis are not necessarily related to either Lord Charles Somerset or any of the towns named after and by him.

[7] A portcullis was previously found on the British one-penny coin and on the predecimal thrupenny bit; this has since been replaced by a section of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom.

It was also featured in the now-defunct HM Customs and Excise in the United Kingdom and still appears in the rank insignia for the various grades of commissioner in the Australian Border Force.