Hildesheim
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
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HILDESHEIM
State : Niedersachsen
District (Kreis) : Hildesheim
Additions : 1974 Achtum-Uppen, Bavenstedt, Drispenstedt, Einum, Himmelsthür, Itzum, Marienburg, Marienrode, Ochtersum, Sorsum
Origin/meaning
Hildesheim probably became a city at the end of the 12th or early in the 13th century. The oldest seal is known since 1217 and shows bishop St. Godehard of Hildesheim between towers.
Later 14th century seals show the same image, but at the same time the arms of the city appear, indicating that the arms date from the end of the 13th century.
At the time the arms were quartered of silver and red. The eagle was granted in 1528 by Emperor Charles V. The arms thus never changed since and are used as such.
From 1528 until the early 20th century the great arms showed the shield covered with a helmet, and as a crest a torso of a virgin, dressed in gold and red and holding a rosary, see image below.
 Seals from the city from around 1900. |
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 The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
Literature : Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Ahrens, 1891