It was at Dover that William’s troops fell ill. Seized by an epidemic of dysentery from eating bad food and drinking contaminated water, William lost more than 2000 troops to the illness. Due to these excessive losses, William was forced to leave a garrison of troops at Dover with the men suffering from dysentery. The upper border shows two bears. Bears symbolize strength and power. The Bear is considered to be the most powerful of all animals. Because the Bear hibernates in winter, it is believed to bring the power of renewal and so the bear is thought to possess great power with the ability to cure the sick.