Brakel (Westfalen)

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BRAKEL

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Höxter
Additions : 1970 Beller, Bellersen, Bökendorf, Erkeln, Gehrden, Hembsen, Hinnenburg, Istrup, Rheder, Riesel, Schmechten

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

Origin/meaning

The arms of Brakel were granted on March 18, 1908.

The arms are based on the oldest known seal from the city, dating from 1285. The arms in the city gate are those of the Lords of Brakel, who ruled the town until the mid 14^th century.
In the 17th and 18th century the city used the small shield as its arms, without the city gate. Only in 1908 the whole composition of the seals was taken as arms for the city.

The colours of the arms of the Lords of Brakel were not known and chosen arbitrarily in 1908. The balls on the bar most likely are not historical, but a misinterpretation of the decoration on the seal. As the number of balls on the seals has changed during the years, it was decided to have only three balls.