Bella and Bertie: How The Liver Birds got their name

In the heart of Liverpool, atop the iconic Royal Liver Building, stand two majestic creatures, overlooking the city with their outstretched wings.

The Liver Birds, Bella and Bertie, have become an integral part of Liverpool’s identity, but have you ever wondered how they got their names?

First, let’s take a look back at the history of how these two majestic creatures came to be such a huge part of our incredible city.

The Liver Bird is a prominent figure in Liverpool’s contemporary folklore rather than its ancient tales. William Enfield, Liverpool’s first historian, noted in 1774 that the Liver Bird was solely a product of “fabulous tradition.” Much like the Griffin or the Phoenix, it was regarded as a mythical creature.

In 1911, the Royal Liver Friendly Society adorned its waterfront headquarters with two imposing sculptures that bore no resemblance to any known bird species. This act further solidified the notion that the Liver Bird was a fantastical creature that once roamed the shores of the Pool inlet.

Also it’s worth noting that the Society got its name simply from the pub where its first meeting was held.

But a Liver Bird, of some description, has been on the official seal of the city since the earliest surviving impressions of Liverpool’s corporate seal back in 1352, which is now housed in the British Museum.

National Museums Liverpool’s Archives Department possesses at least four later impressions of the seal, with the earliest dating to 1458. The bird’s design lacks detail, indicating that the seal’s creator was neither an artist nor an ornithologist.

Consequently, scholars have turned to the seal’s wording and other symbols for insights.

One notable clue lies in the crude letters beneath the bird’s breast, seemingly carved by an unskilled hand to mirror the abbreviation “JOHIS,” derived from the Latin “JOHANNIS,” meaning ‘of John.’ But which John?

Both King John and the Apostle John are plausible candidates. The eagle has long been associated with St. John, and King John acknowledged the saint as his patron. Therefore, it’s reasonable to infer that the bird was intended, originally, to represent an eagle.

This might lead us to consider the seal’s potential origins, possibly traced back to Liverpool’s first charter granted by King John in 1207.

However, it looks to be more likely that the bird represents a Cormorant, which you can usually see bathing themselves in the waters of the docks.

The story The Liver Birds as we know them today begins with the construction of the Royal Liver Building in 1908.

Walter Aubrey Thomas, architect of the Royal Liver Building, enlisted the talents of sculptor Carl Bernard Bartels to create two magnificent Liver Bird sculptures.

Each standing over 18 feet tall and weighing in at 7 tons, these bronze sculptures were crafted with meticulous attention to detail, capturing the majesty and grandeur befitting of of our iconic skyline.

The majestic birds, known as Bertie and Bella, have stood atop of the Royal Liver Building since 1911, one looking out over the city, the other over the River Mersey.

According to popular legend, Bertie looks over the city, symbolising protection over its people, while Bella watches the sea, welcoming incoming sailors to the port.

However, Scousers have a better interpretation: Bertie looks inland to check if the pubs are open, while Bella scans the horizon for any dashing sailors arriving up the Mersey.

It is also said that if the birds were to fly away, or even to face each other, that Liverpool would cease to exist.

So how did they get their names… well truth of the matter is that no one really knows!

But for Bella, we can take a look back to the city at the time when Liverpool received its Royal Charter. Isabella of Angoulême, was Queen Consort to King John at the time, given that it was the King who granted the charter in the first place, it seems quite fitting that Bella is named after his counterpart.

Bertie’s name might be attributed to Edward VII, who was nicknamed Bertie within the royal family. He reigned over the United Kingdom during the construction of the Royal Liver Building, so it’s possible that he’s named after the monarch of the time.

Bella & Bertie are famous the world over, they’re a true mark of pride and a reminder that we will never walk alone.

Our Liver Birds have even influenced popular culture. There are countless books about them including children’s book, The Story of the Liver Bird by Rick Myers, and of course, the brilliant 1970’s, award winning comedy drama ‘Liver Birds’ penned by Carla Lane and Myra Taylor.

Don’t forget you can take a tour up into Bella’s tower at RLB 360. It includes a brilliant guided tour that gives an in-depth look at the history of our iconic Liver Building as well as a stunning audio-visual experience inside the bell tower. Afterwards you get to explore the tower with a fantastic 360 view of the city!

For more info on the Liver Birds click HERE. For the latest news in Liverpool click HERE.