Rethem (Aller)

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen)

RETHEM (ALLER)

State : Niedersachsen
District (Kreis) : Heidekreis
Samtgemeinde : Samtgemeinde Rethem/Aller

Origin/meaning

Rethem received city rights in 1353 from Otto and Wilhelm, Dukes of Lüneburg. The lion is the arms of the Welfen dynasty, from which the Dukes of Lüneburg descended. The oldest seal of the city showed the lion in a city gate. Since the 15^th century the lion appeares on a shield on the seals and all othe images. Until the late 17^th century the lion faced the other direction, probably to distinguish the arms from the arms of Bleckede and Fallersleben, both of which show the same lion. In the late 18^th century the lion is shown as in the present arms.

In the Kaffee Hag albums of the early 20^th century the old version of the arms was shown:

Seal from around 1900

The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925

Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Kaffee Hag picture albums, 1920s.