The arms were granted on 1 Jan 1449. At the time when the arms were granted, red and white roses had no political significance, for the War of the Roses did not break out until 1455. Although the rose in the College arms is often shown as white, it is properly not white but silver. The silver rose was chosen by the Founder as a symbol of Our Lady's love, just as he chose the lily in the arms of Eton as a symbol of Our Lady's purity.