Dutch heraldry
Encyclopedia
The study of Dutch heraldry focuses on the use of coats of arms and other insignia in the country of the Netherlands
.
The Netherlands, and more generally the Low Countries, was an area significant heraldic development in medieval times. One of the famous armorials is the Gelre Armorial
, written between 1370 and 1414. Coats of arms in the Netherlands were not controlled by an official heraldic system like the two in the United Kingdom, nor were they used solely by noble families. Any person could develop and use a coat of arms if they wished to do so, provided they did not usurp someone else's arms, and historically, this right was enshrined in Roman Dutch law
. As a result, many merchant families had coats of arms even though they were not members of the nobility. These are sometimes referred to as burgher arms
, and it is thought that most arms of this type were adopted while the Netherlands was a republic
(1581-1806). This heraldic tradition was also exported to the erstwhile Dutch colonies, such as South Africa
, where it influenced South African heraldry
.
Dutch heraldry is characterised by its simple and rather sober style, and in this sense, is closer to its medieval origins than the eloborate styles which developed in other heraldic traditions.
, municipalities
, water boards, Roman Catholic dioceses and Roman Catholic basilicas.
Most Dutch civic arms were originally recorded and confirmed in the years following the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, when mayors were asked to send in the coat of arms traditionally used. Some coats of arms recorded at that time were based on seals. In instances where the original tincture of the arms was unknown or unclear, the arms were blazoned in the ‘national tinctures’ or and azure, the colours of the royal arms
. In the twentieth century, the faulty blazon of a number of these arms was subsequently corrected, when historical colours became clear or charges turned out to be misinterpreted.
Generally the High Council pursues a policy of stylistic simplicity, as decreed by Interior Ministry guidelines from 1977. Most modern grants occur as a result of administrative reforms, with municipalities merging into larger ones. Usually a civic body submits a proposal to the High Council, which adapts it to meet heraldic standards. Regional historical or genealogical societies are known to have been involved drawing up these initial designs. Newly formed municipalities tend to press for inclusion of elements of the old arms of the constituting municipalities into the new arms, with the High Council sometimes rejecting proposals on the grounds that they are ‘overcharged’.
Helmets, crests
and mantling
are generally absent in Dutch civic heraldry; in stead a system of rank coronets is used. Supporters, mottoes
and a-typical coronets are only granted if there is historical evidence for them being used, or if a preceding grant featured them. An notable exception to this rule are arms granted to newly created municipalities of Flevoland
in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which feature seals, sealions and seahorses as supporters, until then unknown as supporters in the Netherlands. A few municipalities have renounced their right to supporters in recent years. Mottoes being generally rare, recent years have seen some pre-1795 mottoes being granted again.
The High Council generally disapproves of quartering of existing arms, and has a policy not to include the figure of saints on shields. As the names of a number of recent fusion municipalities refer to water bodies or courses within their boundaries, an ordinary
representing ‘water’ is an ever often occurrence in recent grants, with the High Council calling them "typical of Dutch heraldry" in 2004 and 2010.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
The Netherlands, and more generally the Low Countries, was an area significant heraldic development in medieval times. One of the famous armorials is the Gelre Armorial
Gelre Armorial
The Gelre Armorial is an armorial composed between 1370 and 1414 in the Duchy of Guelders. The book displays some 1,700 coats-of-arms from all over Europe, in colour. Most historians claim that the book was written by the herald Claes Heinenszoon. It is now located at the Royal Library of Belgium....
, written between 1370 and 1414. Coats of arms in the Netherlands were not controlled by an official heraldic system like the two in the United Kingdom, nor were they used solely by noble families. Any person could develop and use a coat of arms if they wished to do so, provided they did not usurp someone else's arms, and historically, this right was enshrined in Roman Dutch law
Roman Dutch law
Roman Dutch law is a legal system based on Roman law as applied in the Netherlands in the 17th and 18th centuries. As such, it is a variety of the European continental civil law or ius commune...
. As a result, many merchant families had coats of arms even though they were not members of the nobility. These are sometimes referred to as burgher arms
Burgher arms
Burgher arms are coats of arms of commoners in heraldry of the European continent, and, by definition, the term is alien to British heraldry....
, and it is thought that most arms of this type were adopted while the Netherlands was a republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
(1581-1806). This heraldic tradition was also exported to the erstwhile Dutch colonies, such as South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, where it influenced South African heraldry
South African heraldry
South African heraldry reaches back for more than 350 years, inheriting European heraldic traditions. Arms are borne by individuals, official bodies, local authorities, military units, and by a wide variety of organisations...
.
Dutch heraldry is characterised by its simple and rather sober style, and in this sense, is closer to its medieval origins than the eloborate styles which developed in other heraldic traditions.
Civic heraldry
Dutch civic heraldry is regulated by the High Council of Nobility, which grants the arms of provincesProvinces of the Netherlands
A Dutch province represents the administrative layer in between the national government and the local municipalities, having the responsibility for matters of subnational or regional importance. The government of each province consists of three major parts: the Provinciale Staten which is the...
, municipalities
Municipalities of the Netherlands
|All provinces of the Netherlands are divided into municipalities , together 418 , excl. the 3 "special municipalities" of the Caribbean Netherlands.Among the municipalities we can distinguish:...
, water boards, Roman Catholic dioceses and Roman Catholic basilicas.
Most Dutch civic arms were originally recorded and confirmed in the years following the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, when mayors were asked to send in the coat of arms traditionally used. Some coats of arms recorded at that time were based on seals. In instances where the original tincture of the arms was unknown or unclear, the arms were blazoned in the ‘national tinctures’ or and azure, the colours of the royal arms
Coat of arms of the Netherlands
The Greater Coat of Arms of the Realm, , is the personal coat of arms of the monarch of the Netherlands . The government of the Netherlands uses a smaller version without the mantle or the pavilion or sometimes even only uses the shield and crown...
. In the twentieth century, the faulty blazon of a number of these arms was subsequently corrected, when historical colours became clear or charges turned out to be misinterpreted.
Generally the High Council pursues a policy of stylistic simplicity, as decreed by Interior Ministry guidelines from 1977. Most modern grants occur as a result of administrative reforms, with municipalities merging into larger ones. Usually a civic body submits a proposal to the High Council, which adapts it to meet heraldic standards. Regional historical or genealogical societies are known to have been involved drawing up these initial designs. Newly formed municipalities tend to press for inclusion of elements of the old arms of the constituting municipalities into the new arms, with the High Council sometimes rejecting proposals on the grounds that they are ‘overcharged’.
Helmets, crests
Crest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
and mantling
Mantling
In heraldry, mantling or lambrequin is drapery tied to the helmet above the shield. It forms a backdrop for the shield. In paper heraldry it is a depiction of the protective cloth covering worn by knights from their helmets to stave off the elements, and, secondarily, to decrease the effects of...
are generally absent in Dutch civic heraldry; in stead a system of rank coronets is used. Supporters, mottoes
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
and a-typical coronets are only granted if there is historical evidence for them being used, or if a preceding grant featured them. An notable exception to this rule are arms granted to newly created municipalities of Flevoland
Flevoland
Flevoland is a province of the Netherlands. Located in the centre of the country, at the location of the former Zuiderzee, the province was established on January 1, 1986; the twelfth province of the country, with Lelystad as its capital...
in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which feature seals, sealions and seahorses as supporters, until then unknown as supporters in the Netherlands. A few municipalities have renounced their right to supporters in recent years. Mottoes being generally rare, recent years have seen some pre-1795 mottoes being granted again.
The High Council generally disapproves of quartering of existing arms, and has a policy not to include the figure of saints on shields. As the names of a number of recent fusion municipalities refer to water bodies or courses within their boundaries, an ordinary
Ordinary (heraldry)
In heraldry, an ordinary is a simple geometrical figure, bounded by straight lines and running from side to side or top to bottom of the shield. There are also some geometric charges known as subordinaries, which have been given lesser status by some heraldic writers, though most have been in use...
representing ‘water’ is an ever often occurrence in recent grants, with the High Council calling them "typical of Dutch heraldry" in 2004 and 2010.