Städteheraldik Lettlands im Mittelalter
Journal Title: Miscellanea Historico-Archivistica - Year 2016, Vol 23, Issue 23
Abstract
The development of the Latvian cities heraldry can be divided into 6 stages including in particular the evolution of the municipal coats of arms in the period from the 13th to the end of the 20th century as well as taking into account changes in the symbolism of heraldry and modifications of the coats of arms. The first is the beginnings of time of medieval heraldry in the period when Livonia was in the possession of Livonian Order (from the 13th c. to 1561). At that time the heraldic symbols and coats of arms of the cities were created. Development of the municipal coat of arms is closely connected with the granting of city rights. The city rights were regarded as a privilege, and the possibility of self-determination. The city rights were granted to 11 villages in Livonia by 1561, i.e. Riga, Cesis (Wenden, Cesis), Valmiera (Wolmar), Straupe (Roop), Aizpute (Hasenpoth, Hazenpot), Kuldīga (Goldingen, Kultyga, Goldynga), Ventspils (Windau, Ventspils), Limbaži (Lemsal), Koknese (Kokenhausen, Kokenhuza), Piltene (Pilten, Piltene) and Raun (Runeburg, Rumbork). The most important question for the Latvian heraldry researchers is whether we can determinate the existence of medieval coats of arms of cities and towns in Livonia, or it should be rather spoken of the heraldry symbols present on coins, seals and other source materials from that time. In general, since the mid-19th c. the opinion has been spreading that the seals of cities with heraldic elements prove the existence of municipal coats of arms. There are no sources which would allow to conclude that there were rules governing the use of municipal heraldry symbols by the end of the 16th c. With regard to the time before the year 1561 we can talk about the creation and development of the municipal heraldic symbolism, because in few sources of heraldry of that time – on seals and coins – existence of heraldic symbolism is to be proved. So it cannot be talked about coat of arms for all the medieval cities and towns of Latvia. A more appropriate point of view would be to consider the medieval heraldry as a pre-heraldic period in the development of municipal coats of arms. The use of heraldic symbols, that later evolved into the municipal coats of arms, is something that characterises that stage
Authors and Affiliations
Sigita Sne
Keywords
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