Imperium
Romanum
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THE SYMBOLS OF THE RANGES OF
AUTHORITY The greek
cross, the latin cross and the christogram were especially developed during
the time of emperor Constantine at the beginning of the 4th century. There is
much confusion about the precise meaning of these symbols, but it is certain
that they do not mean the same thing. |
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THE
IMPERIAL CROWN CAN BE TRACED BACK TO 8TH CENTURY BUT WAS NEVER THE SAME
THROUGH THE AGES It
is remarkable to note that neither the crowns of the Ottones nor the crowns
of the Salians show any form of relationship with the so-called Imperial
Crown. On the contrary, the crowns of the Ottones are characterized by a
narrow diadem with relatively large pearl groups. A
plate crown occurs for the first time in the so-called Gospels of Henry III
that was made between 1050 and 1056. |
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THE COMMON ORIGIN OF
MODERN EUROPE |
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PORTRAITS OF RULERS AND ORIGINS OF HERALDIC SYMBOLS |
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A DYNASTY AND THE INVESTITURE CONTROVERSY The Investiture Controversy caused the rise of many counter-kings
opposing the ruling Henry IV opponent of Pope Gregory VII. |
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PORTRAITS, REGALIA AND HERALDIC SYMBOLS It is said that no contemporary portraits of
Emperor Henry IV exist. Nevertheless we can compose a series of portraits of him
and his sons Conrad and Henry (V), giving an idea of of the crowns, sceptres
and sword of state they used and the heraldic devices they developed. |
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THE PERFECT CANDIDATE Lothair II was widely recognized as his portraits in France may
demonstrate |
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PORTRAIT AND ARMS Not only a seal of Conrad III is preserved but some other portraits
today in St. Maurice en Agaune can be ascribed to him. Also a Madonna
representing his wife and son was found in Schwäbisch-Gmünd. |
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Frederick I
Barbarossa (*1123-†1190) SEALS, PORTRAITS, ARMS Many portraits of Frederick I have been
attributed to other rulers in particular to Constantine the Great and
Charlemagne. Several 12th century portraits of a red bearded ruler are found
out to be of him. |
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Henry VI
Hohenstaufen (*1165-†1197) PORTRAITS, BANNERS, ARMS |
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Otto IV of Brunswick (*1177-†1218) THE ONLY WELF EMPEROR |
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Frederick
II Hohenstaufen (*1194-† 1250) IMAGES OF THE STUPOR MUNDI A series of portraits of the last Hohenstaufen
Emperor gathered from his seals and from other sources. |
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William II
of Holland (*1227-†1256) RELICS OF A RECKLESS KING Of this Roman King, so neglected in German
historiography, some portraits have been preserved in German collections. Of
these the socalled „Magdeburger Reiter”, agreedly taken for Otto the Great,
most certainly is a statue of king William II. Also it is for sure that he
bore the coat of arms of the Roman King: Or, an eagle sable. |
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Deutscher Orden / Teutonic Order ARMS OF THE ORDER AND ITS
GRAND MASTERS The Teutonic Order
was one of the armies created to combat the enemies of the Holy Roman Empire
in the middle ages. After its defeat in the Middle East the Teutonic Order
became active in Prussia. |
Heraldry of the World