Coats of arms of monarchs. Coat of arms of the Russian Empire: history. The attitude of the French to heraldry

Greetings to all lovers of the French language and the history of France! Today we will talk about French dynasties and their coats of arms.

How did the Merovingians turn Gaul into France? What did the Carolingian and Capetian kings give to France? How did the Valois continue the work of their predecessors? How did the Bourbon dynasty strengthen the status of France among other world powers? What emblems accompanied the kings throughout the history of France?

Stay with us, friends, and you will find out how the kings took care of their country, and what France was like under this or that dynasty.

The Merovingians can be called a legendary dynasty. Because the stories about them are shrouded in mystery and interesting, fantastic stories. The Merovingians are descended from the Frankish tribes, from their legendary ancestor Merovei. The main strength of these kings was their long hair. This was their hallmark as well. The Merovingians wore long hair, and, God forbid! - do not cut them!

The Franks believed that the Merovingians had a sacred magical power, which consisted in long hair and was expressed in "royal happiness", which personified the well-being of the entire Frankish people. Such a hairstyle distinguished and separated the monarch from subjects who wore short haircuts, popular in the Roman era and considered a sign of low position. Cutting off hair was the heaviest insult for the king of the Merovingian dynasty. In addition, it meant the loss of the right to exercise power.

The first Merovingian kings ruled the state according to the model of the old Roman Empire. Under the rule of the descendants of Merovei, the kingdom of the Franks prospered. In many ways it can be compared to the high civilization of Byzantium. For the most part, secular literacy under these kings was more common than it was five centuries later. Even kings were literate, considering the rude, uneducated and unlearned monarchs of the Middle Ages. King Clovis

Among the Merovingians, it is worth noting the special attention of Clovis I. This king was distinguished not only by the severity of his reign, but also by the wisdom of his actions. He converted to Christianity and was baptized, and the rest of the Franks followed his example.

The French monarchy owes the Merovingian dynasty the Salic truth (the author of which, according to legend, is Merovei himself) - this was a set of laws by which the country was governed. One of the notable points is that only men can rule the country. In the XIV century, when the question of the transfer of the throne of France to a woman arises, the Salic truth will be brought to the light of God and they will point to the law of succession to the throne. Constable Gaucher de Chatillon will utter the famous phrase that will go down in history: “It is not good to spin lilies!” And indeed, women have never ruled in France (except, perhaps, temporarily, as a regent).

The Merovingians ruled for a long time - from 481 to 751, that is, from the end of the 5th to the middle of the 8th century.

The emblem or coat of arms of the Merovingians was the lily. In the distant 5th century, King Clovis, while still a pagan, along with his army fell into a trap between the Rhine River and the army of the Goths. A yellow marsh iris saved him from imminent defeat. Clovis noticed that thickets of yellow iris stretched almost to the opposite bank - and iris grows only in shallow water - and the king ventured to ford the river. He won the victory and, in gratitude for the salvation, made this golden iris his emblem. Later this image was transformed into a lily and became known as Fleur-de-lys. There is a version that the image of the lily is a variation of the bee depicted on the early coat of arms of the Merovingians.
royal lily

Les Carolingiens – Carolingians – Carolingian Empire

The last Merovingians lowered their power to their majordomes (something like house rulers). But we must give them their due - they knew how to choose excellent butlers! Here it is worth noting the glorious Charles Martel, who won a number of significant victories in battles with enemies, as well as Pepin the Short, who later became the king of the Franks. Pepin Short

At a meeting of noble Franks in Soissons, Pepin asked them: who has the right to be king - the one who only nominally sits on the throne or the one who has real power in his hands? The Franks leaned towards Pepin. As you can see, everything is fair. The last Merovingian, Childeric III, was sent to a monastery, and Pepin became king. He united all of France, from the English Channel to the Mediterranean (before that, under the Merovingians, it was divided into several territories). Pepin can rightfully be considered the founder of the new Carolingian dynasty.

The most significant figure of this dynasty is Charlemagne or Charlemagne, who won a number of significant victories for the Frankish state and founded a vast empire that included the territories of France, Germany, and Italy. Charles not only fought, but also formed his own country (see the Carolingian Renaissance on our website). Oriflamma - golden flame

The son of Charles, Louis the Pious, still managed to keep the empire within its borders, but his grandchildren had already divided it and ruled separately.

The reign of the Carolingian dynasty passed under the sign of the struggle against the Normans. The Normans were northern Viking tribes. The Carolingians strenuously repulsed their raids, either suffering defeat or winning, until, finally, in the 9th century, King Charles III was tired of all this. Karl understands that the Normans can't be easily got rid of unless a final decision is made. He makes an alliance with the leader of the Normans, Rollo, that they stop their raids on France. In exchange for peace of mind, Charles had to marry his daughter to Rollon and give the Normans the northern territory, which would later be called Normandy. And what to do is politics.

The royal lily also dominated the coat of arms of the Carolingians, but Charlemagne went on military campaigns with an oriflamme - a special banner with the image of a golden sun on a red field. It was a kind of standard, which was subsequently present in the battles of other French kings.

Les Capétiens - The Capetians - the longest dynasty

Coat of arms of the Capetian dynasty

Why? Yes, because the Valois and the Bourbons are branches of the Capetian dynasty, they all come from Hugo Capet, the founder of the dynasty.

Perhaps it is the Capetian dynasty that has the brightest representatives of the royal power in terms of intelligence, wisdom, talent of government and achievements. Here it is worth noting such kings as Hugh Capet himself, who began the development of Paris. Philip II August, Louis IX the Saint, Philip III, Philip IV the Beautiful, who consolidated the state, annexed significant territories to France, strengthened power, developed education and culture. It was under Philip II that France returned its territories, the provinces of Guienne and Aquitaine, which, being in France, belonged to England.

The coat of arms of the Capetians was three golden lilies on a blue field. We can say that it was under the Capetians that the lily was finally established as the coat of arms of France.

Les Valois - Valois - descendants of the Capets

Unfortunately, the reign of the Valois dynasty began with tragic pages Hundred Years War. Edward III of England wrote a letter to the French king Philip VI (the first king from Valois), in which he expressed his claims to the French throne, being the grandson of Philip IV the Handsome. In addition, the English kings were haunted by Guyenne and Aquitaine, which once belonged to England. Of course, this angered the king of France. No one was going to cede the throne to a foreigner. Thus began the Hundred Years War, the history of which turned into a real tragedy for France.

Unfortunately, France won defeat after defeat, and if it were not for Joan of Arc, it is not known how it would have ended. Coat of arms of the Valois dynasty

It is worth saying a few words about King Charles V the Wise, who during the war managed to restore order in the country, managed to reduce taxes (this is at that terrible war time!), collect and preserve the most powerful library for those times and, in general, normalize the situation in the state. In addition, he fortified Paris by building the Bastille in it, and also introduced the official coat of arms of Paris. Glorious Charles V Wise!

There are many worthy rulers in the Valois dynasty: this is Louis XI, who managed to restore order and develop France after the Hundred Years War; this is Francis I, who significantly raised the level of culture and science in the state.

The emblem of the kings of the Valois dynasty is all the same lilies, but not three, as under the Capetians, but many lilies dotted with a blue field.

Les Bourbons - The Bourbons - the last kings of France

The Bourbon dynasty is also descended from the Capetians and is related to the Valois dynasty. The first representative is King Henry IV or Henry the Great, whose deeds went down in history. He stopped religious strife between Catholics and Protestants, significantly improved the life of the peasants, carried out many necessary and useful reforms in the state. Unfortunately, good rulers are often killed, and that's what happened to this king. He was killed by the Catholic fanatic Ravaillac.

Among the Bourbons, Le Roi-Soleil stands out - Louis XIV, under which France and the French monarchy reached their apogee in development and in brilliant isolation from the background of other European powers.

Louis XVI or Louis the Last, a truly kind king who was a real father to his people, ended his days on the guillotine, where he laid down his head for the country and people.

The coat of arms of the Bourbons is the same golden lilies, but already on a white field (white is the color of the French monarchy), only everything is much more majestic than on the previous coats of arms of the kings.
Coat of arms of the Bourbon dynasty

The French monarchy is long gone, but the golden royal lily has gone through all the ups and downs of history and has been preserved on the emblems of many cities and provinces.

May 26, 2018, 00:40

After a post by blogger Jane_A about the attributes of the newly-minted Duchess of Sussex, I became interested in the topic of coats of arms in the British royal family and decided to look for information about it.

The Royal coat of arms of Great Britain is considered personal for the reigning monarch. All other members of the royal family have their own heraldic insignia.

The coat of arms of Great Britain is not the only heraldic sign of the entire United Kingdom. Scotland has a different version of the emblem. That is, at the moment there are two active coats of arms in the country, which have significant differences.

The heraldic insignia of the British monarch includes a shield divided into four equal parts. The first and fourth depict three golden marching leopards (the official name is “walking lions on guard”). So England is marked on the coat of arms. Ireland is represented in the third part of the shield in the form of a harp on an azure field, and Scotland in the second, in the form of a rising lion. The shield holders are a crowned lion (English symbol) on the left and a chained unicorn (Scottish symbol) on the right. In the crest above the shield is a crowned leopard.

The coat of arms of Great Britain in the Scottish version also includes a crowned lion holding a shield and a chained unicorn, but the lion is on the right and the unicorn on the left. In the crest - a crowned upright sitting lion. The shield is also divided into four equal parts. In the third niche there is a harp, symbolizing Northern Ireland. The first and fourth niches are occupied by rising lions (one each), representing Scotland, and the second by three golden lions on a scarlet background. In the Scottish version of the coat of arms, on the crown crowning the golden helmet, instead of the marching golden crowned leopard, there sits a scarlet lion holding a sword and scepter in its paws. The Scottish version is significantly different in that the coat of arms depicts a crowned unicorn. Moreover, the lawn is decorated only with thistles, while in the main version there are also roses and clover.

Coat of arms of Prince Philip

The 1st quarter of the shield with lions is the coat of arms of Denmark. 2nd quarter of the shield - a white cross on a blue background is the coat of arms of Greece. The right shield holder from the Greek royal coat of arms is Hercules, girded with the skin of a lion, crowned with an oak wreath and holding right hand club. The 3rd quarter of the shield is the coat of arms of the Battenbergs - two black pillars in a silver shield. In the 4th quarter - the coat of arms of Edinburgh. The left shield holder is a lion in a ducal crown, on the neck is an azure sea crown - during the Second World War, Philip served in the English navy. Encircling the shield is the badge of the highest and oldest English Order of the Garter. The motto, written on the ribbon in old French, reads: "Honi soit qui mal y pense" - "Let him be ashamed who thinks badly of this." Below the motto God is my help God will help me.

Coat of arms of Prince Charles

Quadruple shield, with escutcheon and silver tournament collar. The shield is the royal badge of Wales under the crown of the Prince of Wales. In the first and fourth parts of the shield, the image three gold leopards in a red field - the emblem of England, in the second part - a red lion in a golden field - the emblem of Scotland, in the third part - a golden harp with silver strings in a blue field - the emblem of Ireland. On the shield is a golden royal helmet with a golden embroidered, lined with ermine fur, crowned with the crown of the Prince of Wales, with a crest - a golden royal leopard, crowned with the crown of the Prince of Wales and a silver tournament collar around the neck. The shield surrounds the badge of the Order of the Garter. Shield holders: on the right (heraldically) - gold, crowned with the crown of the Prince of Wales, a lion with a silver tournament collar around its neck, red tongue and claws; on the left (heraldic) - silver, with golden weapons and a mane, a red tongue, a unicorn with a golden collar in the form of a crown and a golden chain from it, below the collar is a silver tournament collar. The shield holders are placed on a stand, on which are located: the coat of arms of the Duchy of Cornwall crowned with the crown of the Prince of Wales; heraldic badge of Edward the Black Prince, a heraldic Welsh dragon with a silver tournament collar around his neck. Motto ribbon: silver with gold letters "ICH DIEN" (I serve).

As the Scottish Duke of Rothesay, Charles has a different coat of arms than the previous one.

Quadruple shield, with shield. The shield is the coat of arms of Scotland, featuring a blue tournament collar above a lion. The first and fourth parts of the shield depict the personal coat of arms of the Stuart dynasty: in a golden field, a blue belt in a silver checkerboard. In the second and third quarters, the coat of arms of the Lord of the Isles: in a silver field, a black boat with red flags and a golden deck. On the shield there is a golden royal helmet with a golden insignia, lined with ermine fur, crowned with the crown of the Prince of Wales, with a crest - a Scottish royal red lion, sitting in front, with a blue tournament collar on the neck, crowned with the crown of the Prince of Wales, holding in his right paw a silver sword with golden handle, and in the left paw - a golden scepter. The shield surrounds the chain of the Order of the Thistle. Shield holders - silver, with gold weapons and a mane, a red tongue, unicorns crowned with the crown of the Prince of Wales with a gold collar in the form of a crown and a gold chain from it, below the collar there is a blue tournament collar holding standards: on the right - with the image of a central shield, on the left - Scottish flag. The shield and supporters stand on a green lawn, with green leaves and thistle flowers.

Arms of Princess Diana

This is the coat of arms of Diana, née Spencer, before her marriage to Prince Charles.

Since the end of the 16th century, the comb has been the emblem of the Spencer family.

Translated from French, the motto means "God and my right."

After her divorce from Charles, Diana's coat of arms was changed.

Coat of arms of Camilla

Camilla's coat of arms was created in 2005 and combines the coats of arms of her husband - the Prince of Wales and father - Bruce Shand. Around the shield is the ribbon of the Royal Victorian Order. The only newly created element of the coat of arms is a boar-shield holder.

Prince William's row

Quadruple shield: in the first and fourth fields, the coat of arms of England - three golden leopards with azure weapons in a scarlet field, in the second field, the coat of arms of Scotland - in a golden field with a scarlet double inner border, sprouted with lilies, a scarlet rising lion with azure weapons, in the third field, the coat of arms of Ireland - a golden harp with silver strings in an azure field. On top of the shield is a silver titel with three ends burdened with a scarlet scallop shell (escalope).

Around the shield is the symbol of the Order of the Garter.

Above the crown is a golden royal helmet. A gold bait lined with ermine. Crest: gold, crowned with an open crown of the children of the heir to the throne, a leopard with a silver title (as in a shield) on the neck, standing on the crown of the children of the heir to the throne.

Coat of arms of Prince Harry

Shield holders: on the right - British, crowned with an open crown of children of the heir to the throne, a lion with a silver title (as in a shield) around the neck; on the left - a Scottish unicorn with a crown of the children of the heir to the throne and a silver title (as in a shield) around the neck.

The shield is crowned with the crown of the children of the heir to the throne, with a peer's cap inside.

Crest: gold, crowned with an open crown of the children of the heir to the throne, a leopard with a silver title (as in a shield) on the neck, standing on the crown of the children of the heir to the throne.

Coat of arms of Princess Anne

At the base is the State Emblem of Great Britain with the addition of a tournament collar with three ribbons, like the daughter of the monarch, with a scarlet heart depicted on the central ribbon, and the cross of St. George on the outermost ribbons. The shield is surmounted by a crown corresponding to the dignity of princes - royal children, with an owner's hat. The rhombic shield belongs only to the ladies' coat of arms.

Coat of arms of the Duke of York

Quadruple shield: in the first and fourth fields, the coat of arms of England - three golden leopards with azure weapons in a scarlet field, in the second field, the coat of arms of Scotland - in a golden field with a scarlet double inner border, sprouted with lilies, a scarlet rising lion with azure weapons, in the third field, the coat of arms of Ireland - a golden harp with silver strings in an azure field. On top of the shield is a silver title with three ends burdened with an azure sea anchor.

Arms of the Earl of Wessex

The shield is surrounded by the ribbon of the Order of the Garter.

Shield holders: on the right - British, crowned with the open crown of the monarch's children, a lion with a silver title (as in a shield) on the neck; on the left - a Scottish unicorn with a crown of the monarch's children and a silver title (as in a shield) around the neck.

The shield is crowned with the crown of the monarch's children, with a peer's cap inside.

Crest: gold, crowned with the open crown of the children of the monarch, a leopard with a silver title (as in a shield) on the neck, standing on the crown of the children of the monarch.

Philip's coat of arms is the most original. Which coat of arms do you like best?

Updated on 26/05/18 08:58:

This is the correct coat of arms of William

Updated on 26/05/18 18:18:

Coat of arms of Duchess Catherine

Seal of Ivan III the Great

Each state has its own symbols that reflect its internal structure: power, territory, natural features and other priorities. One of the symbols of the state is the coat of arms.

The coat of arms of each country has its own history of creation. There are special rules for drawing up a coat of arms drawing, this is done by a special historical discipline of HERALDY, which developed back in the Middle Ages.

Coat of arms history Russian Empire quite interesting and unique.

Officially, Russian heraldry begins with the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov (XVII century). But the forerunner of the emblem was the personal seals of the Russian tsars, so the primary sources of the Russian emblem should be sought in the 15th century, during the reign of Ivan III the Great. Initially, on the personal seal of Ivan III, George the Victorious was depicted, striking a snake with a spear - a symbol of Moscow and the Moscow principality. double-headed eagle was adopted on the state seal after the wedding in 1472 of Ivan III the Great with Sophia (Zoya) Paleolog, niece last emperor Byzantium Constantine Palaiologos. It symbolized the transfer of the heritage of the fallen Byzantium. But before Peter I Russian coat of arms did not obey the heraldic rules, Russian heraldry was developed precisely in his reign.

History of the coat of arms double-headed eagle

The eagle in the coat of arms originates from Byzantium. Later he appeared on the coat of arms of Russia. The image of an eagle is used in the coats of arms of many countries of the world: Austria, Germany, Iraq, Spain, Mexico, Poland, Syria, USA. But the double-headed eagle is present only on the coats of arms of Albania and Serbia. The Russian double-headed eagle has undergone many changes since its appearance and formation as an element of the state emblem. Let's consider these steps.
As mentioned above, coats of arms appeared in Russia a long time ago, but they were only drawings on the seals of the kings, they did not obey heraldic rules. Due to the lack of chivalry in Russia, coats of arms were not very common.
Until the 16th century, Russia was a fragmented state, so there could be no question of the state emblem of Russia. But under Ivan III (1462-
1505) his seal acted as a coat of arms. On its front side there is a horseman piercing a snake with a spear, and on the reverse side there is a double-headed eagle.
The first known images of the double-headed eagle belong to XIII century BC. - This is a rock image of a double-headed eagle grabbing two birds with one stone. This was the coat of arms of the Hittite kings.
The double-headed eagle was the symbol of the Median kingdom - ancient power in the territory of Western Asia under the Median king Cyaxares (625-585 BC). Then the double-headed eagle appeared on the emblems of Rome under Constantine the Great. After the foundation in 330 of the new capital - Constantinople - the double-headed eagle became the state emblem of the Roman Empire.
After the adoption of Christianity from Byzantium, Russia began to experience a strong influence of Byzantine culture, Byzantine ideas. Along with Christianity, new political orders and relations began to penetrate Russia. This influence especially intensified after the marriage of Sophia Paleolog and Ivan III. This marriage had important consequences for the monarchical power in Moscow. As a spouse Grand Duke Moscow becomes the successor of the Byzantine emperor, who was considered the head of the entire Orthodox East. In relations with small neighboring lands, he already bears the title of Tsar of All Russia. Another title, "autocrat", is a translation of the Byzantine imperial title autocrator; Initially, it meant the independence of the sovereign, but Ivan the Terrible gave it the meaning of the absolute, unlimited power of the monarch.
From the end of the 15th century, the Byzantine coat of arms appeared on the seals of the Moscow sovereign - a double-headed eagle, it is combined with the former Moscow coat of arms - the image of George the Victorious. Thus, Russia confirmed the continuity from Byzantium.

From IvanIII to PetraI

Great State Seal of Tsar Ivan IV Vasilyevich (the Terrible)

The development of the Russian emblem is inextricably linked with the history of Russia. The eagle on the seals of John III was depicted with a closed beak and looked more like an eaglet. Russia of that time was still an eaglet, a young state. In the reign of Vasily III Ioannovich (1505-1533), the double-headed eagle is depicted already with open beaks, from which tongues protrude. At this time, Russia was strengthening its position: the monk Philotheus sent a message to Vasily III with his theory that "Moscow is the Third Rome."

In the reign of John IV Vasilyevich (1533-1584), Russia won victories over the Astrakhan and Kazan kingdoms, annexed Siberia. The power of the Russian state is also reflected in its coat of arms: the double-headed eagle on the state seal is crowned with a single crown with an eight-pointed Orthodox cross above it. Front side of the seal: on the chest of the eagle there is a carved German shield with a unicorn - the personal sign of the king. All symbols in the personal symbolism of John IV are taken from the Psalter. Reverse side of the seal: on the chest of the eagle is a shield with the image of St. George the Victorious.

On February 21, 1613, Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was elected king by the Zemsky Sobor. His election put an end to the unrest that took place in the period after the death of Ivan the Terrible. The eagle on the coat of arms of this period spreads its wings, which means new era in the history of Russia, which at that time becomes a single and fairly strong state. This circumstance is immediately reflected in the coat of arms: instead of an eight-pointed cross, a third crown appears above the eagle. The interpretation of this change is different: a symbol of the Holy Trinity or a symbol of the unity of Great Russians, Little Russians and Belarusians. There is also a third interpretation: the conquered Kazan, Astrakhan and Siberian kingdoms.
Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov (1645-1676) ends the Russian-Polish conflict with the conclusion of the Andrusovo truce with Poland (1667). Russian state becomes equal with other European states. During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, the eagle receives symbols of power: scepter and power.

Great State Seal of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

At the request of the tsar, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Leopold I sent his king of arms Lavrenty Hurelevich to Moscow, who in 1673 wrote the essay “On the Genealogy of the Russian Grand Dukes and Sovereigns, showing the existing, through marriages, affinity between Russia and the eight European powers, that is Caesar of Rome, the kings of English, Danish, Gishpansky, Polish, Portuguese and Swedish, and with the image of these royal coats of arms, and in the middle of their Grand Duke St. Vladimir, at the end of the portrait of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. This essay marked the beginning of the development of Russian heraldry. The wings of the eagle are raised up and fully opened (a symbol of the complete assertion of Russia as a powerful state; its heads are crowned with three royal crowns; on the chest is a shield with the Moscow coat of arms; in its paws is a scepter and orb.

Lavrenty Hurelevich in 1667 was first given official description Russian coat of arms: “The double-headed eagle is the coat of arms of the sovereign Grand Sovereign, Tsar and Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich of All Great and Small and White Russia, the autocrat, His Royal Majesty of the Russian kingdom, on which three korunas are depicted, signifying the three great Kazan, Astrakhan, Siberian glorious kingdoms, submitting to the God-preserved and highest of His Royal Majesty the most merciful Sovereign to the power and command ... on the Persians is the image of the heir; in pasonkteh, a scepter and an apple, and they reveal the most merciful Sovereign, His Royal Majesty the Autocrat and Possessor.

From Peter I to Alexander II

Coat of arms of Peter I

Peter I ascended Russian throne in 1682. During his reign, the Russian Empire became equal among the leading powers of Europe.
Under him, according to heraldic rules, the coat of arms began to be depicted in black (before that, it was depicted in gold). The eagle has become not only an adornment of state papers, but also a symbol of strength and power.
In 1721, Peter I assumed the imperial title, and instead of royal crowns, imperial crowns began to be depicted on the coats of arms. In 1722, he established the King of Arms office and the position of King of Arms.
The state emblem under Peter I underwent other changes: in addition to changing the color of the eagle, shields with coats of arms were placed on its wings
Great principalities and kingdoms. On the right wing there were shields with coats of arms (from top to bottom): Kiev, Novgorod, Astrakhan; on the left wing: Vladimir, Siberian, Kazan. It was under Peter I that a set of attributes of the coat of arms eagle developed.
And after Russia entered the “spaces of Siberia and the Far East”, the double-headed eagle began to symbolize the inseparability of European and Asian Russia under one imperial crown, since one crowned head looks to the west, the other to the east.
The era after Peter I is known as the era palace coups. In the 30s of the XVIII century. immigrants from Germany dominated the leadership of the state, which did not contribute to the strengthening of the country. In 1736, Empress Anna Ioannovna invited a Swiss by birth, a Swedish engraver I. K. Gedlinger, who engraved by 1740 State seal, with minor changes used until 1856.

Before late XVIII in. there were no special changes in the design of the coat of arms, but during the time of Elizabeth Petrovna and Catherine the Great, the eagle looked more like an eagle.

Coat of arms of Catherine I

Pavel I

Coat of arms of Russia with the Maltese cross

After becoming emperor, Paul I immediately tried to modify the Russian coat of arms. By decree of April 5, 1797, the double-headed eagle becomes an integral part of the coat of arms of the imperial family. But since Paul I was the master of the Order of Malta, this could not but be reflected in the state emblem. In 1799, Emperor Paul I issued a decree on the image of a double-headed eagle with a Maltese cross on its chest. The cross was placed on the chest of the eagle under the Moscow coat of arms ("the root coat of arms of Russia"). Also, the emperor is making an attempt to develop and introduce a complete coat of arms of the Russian Empire. At the upper end of this cross was placed the crown of the Grand Master.
In 1800, he proposed a complex coat of arms, on which forty-three coats of arms were placed in a multi-field shield and on nine small shields. However, they did not manage to accept this coat of arms before Paul's death.
Paul I was also the founder of the Great Russian coat of arms. In the Manifesto of December 16, 1800, it is given Full description. The large Russian emblem was supposed to symbolize the internal unity and power of Russia. However, the project of Paul I was not implemented.
Alexander I, having become emperor in 1801, abolished the Maltese cross on the state emblem. But under Alexander I, on the coat of arms, the wings of an eagle are widely spread to the side, and the feathers are lowered down. One head is more tilted than the other. Instead of a scepter and an orb in the paws of an eagle, new attributes appear: a torch, thunderbolts (thunder arrows), a laurel wreath (sometimes a branch), a lictor bundle intertwined with ribbons.

Nicholas I

Coat of arms of Nicholas I

The reign of Nicholas I (1825-1855) was emphatically firm and resolute (the suppression of the Decembrist uprising, limiting the status of Poland). Under him, from 1830, the armorial eagle began to be depicted with sharply raised wings (this remained so until 1917). In 1829, Nicholas I was crowned the kingdom of Poland, therefore, since 1832, the coat of arms Polish kingdom included in the Russian coat of arms.
At the end of the reign of Nicholas I, the head of the department of heraldry, Baron B.V. Kene, tried to give the coat of arms the features of Western European heraldry: the image of the eagle should have become more strict. The coat of arms of Moscow was supposed to be depicted in a French shield, the horseman should have been turned, according to heraldic rules, to the left side of the viewer. But in 1855, Nicholas I died, and Kene's projects were implemented only under Alexander II.

Large, Medium and Small coats of arms of the Russian Empire

Large State Emblem of the Russian Empire 1857

The large state emblem of the Russian Empire was introduced in 1857 by decree of Emperor Alexander II (this is the idea of Emperor Paul I).
The large coat of arms of Russia is a symbol of the unity and power of Russia. Around the double-headed eagle are the coats of arms of the territories that are part of the Russian state. In the center of the Great State Emblem is a French shield with a golden field, on which a double-headed eagle is depicted. The eagle itself is black, crowned with three imperial crowns, which are connected by a blue ribbon: two small ones crown the head, a large one is located between the heads and rises above them; in the paws of an eagle - a scepter and orb; on the chest is depicted "the coat of arms of Moscow: in a shield scarlet with gold edges, the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious in silver weapons and an azure encirclement on a silver horse." The shield, on which an eagle is depicted, is topped with the helmet of the holy Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, around the main shield is a chain and the order of St. Andrew the First-Called. On the sides of the shield there are shield holders: on the right side (on the left of the viewer) - the holy Archangel Michael, on the left - the Archangel Gabriel. The central part under the shadow of a large imperial crown and the state banner above it.
To the left and right of the state banner, on the same horizontal line with it, six shields are depicted with the combined coats of arms of the principalities and volosts - three to the right and three to the left of the banner, almost creating a semicircle. Nine shields crowned with the coats of arms of the Grand Duchies and kingdoms and the coat of arms of His Imperial Majesty are the continuation and most of the circle that the combined coats of arms of the principalities and volosts began. Coats of arms counterclockwise: Astrakhan kingdom, Siberian kingdom, Family coat of arms of His Imperial Majesty, combined coats of arms of the Grand principalities, coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Finland, coat of arms of Chersonis-Tauride, coat of arms of the Polish kingdom, coat of arms of the Kazan kingdom.
The upper six shields from left to right: the combined coats of arms of the principalities and regions of Great Russia, the combined coats of arms of the principalities and regions of the South-Western, the combined coats of arms of the Baltic regions.
At the same time, the Middle and Small state emblems were adopted.
The average state coat of arms was the same as the Bolshoi, but without state banners and six coats of arms above the canopy; Small - the same as the Middle, but without a canopy, images of saints and the family coat of arms of His Imperial Majesty.
adopted by decree Alexander III dated November 3, 1882. The Great State Emblem differed from that adopted in 1857 in that it added a shield with the coat of arms of Turkestan (became part of Russia in 1867), the coats of arms of the principalities of Lithuania and Belarus were combined into one shield.
The large state emblem is framed by laurel and oak branches - a symbol of glory, honor, merit (laurel branches), valor, courage (oak branches).
The Great State Emblem reflects "the triune essence of the Russian idea: For the Faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland." Faith is expressed in the symbols of Russian Orthodoxy: many crosses, the holy Archangel Michael and the holy Archangel Gabriel, the motto "God bless us", an eight-pointed Orthodox cross over the state banner. The idea of an autocrat is expressed in the attributes of power: a large imperial crown, other Russian historical crowns, a scepter, an orb, a chain of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.
The Fatherland is reflected in the coat of arms of Moscow, the coats of arms of Russian and Russian lands, in the helmet of the Holy Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky. The circular arrangement of the coats of arms symbolizes the equality between them, and the central location of the coat of arms of Moscow symbolizes the unity of Russia around Moscow, the historical center of the Russian lands.

Conclusion

Modern coat of arms Russian Federation

In 1917, the eagle ceased to be the coat of arms of Russia. The coat of arms of the Russian Federation is known, the subjects of which were autonomous republics and others national entities. Each of the republics, subjects of the Russian Federation, had its own national emblem. But there is no Russian coat of arms on it.
In 1991 there was coup d'état. Democrats headed by BN Yeltsin came to power in Russia.
On August 22, 1991, the white-blue-red flag is re-approved as the State Flag of Russia. On November 30, 1993, President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin signs a decree "On the State Emblem of the Russian Federation". The double-headed eagle is again the coat of arms of Russia.
Now, as before, the double-headed eagle symbolizes the power and unity of the Russian state.

Hello dear.
In connection with the past anniversary of Elizabeth II, I decided to acquaint you with the coats of arms of the British royal family- you never know who will be interested. For one coat of arms can immediately determine the status of the person to whom it belongs. I find it very interesting :-)
I want to warn you right away that I will consider here only the heraldic symbols of the male part of the Windsor family, which means that many worthy people, even the daughter of the Queen, Princess Anna, will not be affected by me. If so, I'm sorry :-)
Traditionally, the royal coat of arms is similar to the state one, and we have analyzed it in detail in this post here: I think it would be right to read it first, so that there is more understanding. :-)

and the Scottish version:

The personal coats of arms of the royal family follow the state and are based on it. With some exceptions.
It’s better to start with the heir to the throne, Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor, aka Prince Charles. As heir to the throne, he bears the title of Prince of Wales, and this, of course, is displayed in his coat of arms. So here's the coat of arms:

Why did I say that this is, of course, displayed on his coat of arms? Well, first of all, look at the left side of the coat of arms under the shield holder and the motto. On the left side you see a sultan of 3 feathers. The tradition of doing this as a personal sign of the heir to the throne (namely, the heir) came from the famous commander of the Middle Ages, Edward the Black Prince, the eldest son of King Edward III.

According to legend, he made this sign his personal coat of arms after the battle of Crecy (1346) in honor of ... his fallen enemy. The blind king of Bohemia, John (Johann) of Luxembourg, called two horsemen, placed himself between them on a trotter, tied three bridles together and burst into the thick of the English, where he immediately died. On his helmet were three ostrich feathers and the motto: "Ich dien", meaning "I serve". Surprised and delighted by his courage, Edward the Black Prince took the helmet, along with the motto, as a memento of that glorious day, and since then all the Princes of Wales have worn it.

John of Luxembourg

You could see the sign of the Prince of Wales on the obverse of the tapestry, which we have already talked about in this post:
On the other side you can see a red dragon - exactly the same as on the flag of Wales.

In addition, one more heraldic element can be easily understood that we have before us the heir to the British throne. Look closely - and on the shield itself and on the shield holders, and even on the pommel of the crown, you can see a special heraldic figure called a titlo, aka lambel, aka tournament collar. A kind of beam with downward-facing, widely spaced teeth, originating from a horse knight's harness. The color of the title is silver, and the number of "flags" is 3. This is important, because in Britain (in other countries in a different way) it means closeness to the monarch. That is, a silver white lambiel without additional elements for 3 flags is a symbol of the Prince of Wales.
In the center of the shield you can see another shield. This is an unofficial (unapproved) coat of arms of Wales and we have already talked about it in a post about the British coat of arms.

There is a question about another coat of arms - with golden balls at the very bottom of the coat of arms. The fact is that Charles bears the title of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester. Well, this is the coat of arms of the Duchy of Cornwall, and crowned with the crown of the Prince of Wales. The heir to the throne (male) is the only one who can bear the title of Duke of Cornwall. Moreover, he is the first of the Peers of England (members of the higher nobility who enjoy special political privileges) and the only duke to have his own dukedom, and not just a title without land.

Cornwall

But that's not all :-)) The fact is that Charles has not even one coat of arms, but two. And this is due to the complex intertwining of interests of the British crown in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Prince of Wales is understandable, the Duke of Cornol is the official title of heir to the throne in England, and Scotland has its own title of heir to the throne - the Duke of Rothesay. We say His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall, also means the Duke of Rothesay and the Earl of Chester, and Lord Carrick and the Baron Renfrew and the Lord of the Isles and the Grand Steward of Scotland.
The Dukes of Rothesay traditionally always have their own coat of arms, and this is what the heraldic symbol of Charles as Duke of Rothesay looks like:

Note that the title is blue.
The central shield is a Scottish red lion, but the main shield is interesting.
In the first and fourth quarters you see a blue belt in a silver checkerboard in a golden field. This is the personal coat of arms of the Stuarts, the last kings of Scotland. But in the second and third quarters you can see a black boat with red flags and a golden deck in a silver field. This is the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Isles - there was such a state on the Hebrides and the west coast of Scotland. and the King of Scotland has traditionally held the title of Lord of the Isles since the 14th century

Kingdom of the Islands.

The rest of the entourage of the coat of arms is purely Scottish - and the Order of the Thistle, and the Scottish flag and a lawn with thistles in the form of the base of the coat of arms.
To be continued...
Have a nice time of the day.