Wachtendonk

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WACHTENDONK

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Kleve (until 1969 Geldern)
Additions : 1969 Wankum

Official blazon

German
English	No blazon/translation known. Please click here to send your (heraldic !) blazon or translation

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on October 30, 1971 after the merger with Wankum, but have been used since medieval times.

Wachtendonk was a settlement on the Niers river, which became a city in the early 14^th century. Wachtendonk was a possession of the Lords of Wachtendonk as a loan of the counts of Geldern. The city practically was independent, even after the sale to the counts of Kleve in 1440 and the return to Geldern in 1502. This means that neither symbols of Kleve of Geldern have been used in the seals of the city.

The oldest seal dates from 1346 and shows a fleur de lys (from the arms of the Wachtendonk family) with a key (of St. Peter, the patron saint). Already in the second seal (used from 1382-1520) the fleur de lys is placed above a tower, probably representing the city. The area around the city was governed by the 'Gerichtsherrschaft' (council of justice), whereas the city had its own council. Both, however, used the same composition on the seals.

The seals of the city:

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  Council seal from 1346

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  Council seal from 1434-1704

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  Council seal from 1708-1719

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  City seal from 1382-1520

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  City seal from 1583-1651

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  City seal from 1688-1725

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  City seal from 1792

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  Small seal from 1650-1670

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Literature: Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Seals from Frankewitz, S. en G. Fenner : De zegels der steden en dorpen in het overkwartier van Gelre/Die Siegel der Städte und Dörfer im geldrischen Oberquartier. Venlo, z.j. 291 blz.(bilingual); Nagel, R.; Rheinisches Wappenbuch, Köln, 1986.