Betzenstein
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
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BETZENSTEIN
State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Bayreuth (until 1974 Pegnitz)
Additions : 1972 Leupoldstein, Ottenberg, Spies, Stierberg, Weidensees
Official blazon
In Silber ein blauer Balken überdeckt mit einem gespaltenen Schild; darin vorne in Gold ein halber, rot gezungter schwarzer Adler am Spalt, hinten fünfmal schräg geteilt von Rot und Silber.
Origin/meaning
The arms were officially granted on January 31, 1973, but are much older.
Betzenstein received town rights in 1359 and city rights in 1611 from the Counts of Leuchtenberg. The oldest seal dates from 1395 and shows the silver shield and blue bar of the Counts of Leuchtenberg. When the city became part of the State of Nürnberg in 1505 the small shield with the arms of Nürnberg was added. The composition of the arms has not changed since.
Hupp showed in the 1920s the arms with a the small shield placed on the bar, see below.
 The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Hupp, O: Kaffee Hag albums, 1920s