TRANSILVANIA
• ERDELY • SIEBENBURGEN
Part
1
The Principality
Back to Romania
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The
Principality of Transylvania, from 1765 Grand Principality of Transylvania,
was a realm of the Hungarian Crown, ruled by the Habsburg monarchs of the Kingdom
of Hungary. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 the Hungarian government
proclaimed in the April Laws of 1848 that Transylvania became fully
integrated into Hungary. After the fall of the revolution, the March
Constitution of Austria defined that the Principality of Transylvania as
being a separate crown land that is entirely independent of Hungary. In 1867
the principality was reunited with Hungary proper. In the
Great Turkish War the Habsburg Emperor Leopold I had occupied the vassal
Ottoman Principality of Transylvania and forced Prince Michael I Apafi to
acknowledge his overlordship in his capacity as King of Hungary. Upon his
death in 1690, Emperor Leopold decreed the Diploma Leopoldinum, which
affiliated the Transylvanian territory with the Habsburg Monarchy. In 1697
Michael's son and heir Prince Michael II Apafi finally renounced Transylvania
in favour of Leopold; the transfer to the Habsburg lands was confirmed by the
1699 Treaty of Karlowitz between the Holy League and the Ottoman Empire. After
Rákóczi's War of Independence had failed, the Peace of Szatmár was concluded
in 1711: Habsburg control over Transylvania was consolidated, and the Princes
of Transylvania were replaced with Habsburg imperial governors
(Gubernatoren). In 1765 Maria Theresa and her son Emperor Joseph II
proclaimed the Grand Principality of Transylvania, consolidating the special
separate status of Transylvania within the Habsburg Monarchy, established by
the Diploma Leopoldinum in 1691. During
the 1848 Revolutions, the Hungarian insurgents called for the re-unification
of Transylvania with Hungary - opposed by Romanian (Wallachian)
revolutionaries led by Avram Iancu -, but also for the abolition of
serfdom. After the Hungarian revolt was crushed, Transylvania remained under
military administration for several years, and the March Constitution of
Austria defined the Principality of Transylvania as being a separate crown
land that is entirely independent of Hungary. In 1853,
the Transylvanian Military Frontier, which existed from 1762, was abolished
and again incorporated into Transylvania. In 1866
the Transylvanian Diet voted for the affiliation with Hungary, which was
accomplished in January 1867. With the subsequent Austro-Hungarian Compromise
(Ausgleich), the centuries-long autonomous status of Hungarian nobility,
Székelys and Transylvanian Saxons ended and the Grand Principality of
Transylvania was incorporated into Hungary proper within the Dual Monarchy. |
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Teutonic Order in Kronstadt/Braşov |
1211-1225 |
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At the
turn of the 13th century, king, Andrew II of Hungary, invited the Teutonic Order
to settle down in the region of Burzenland (Romanian: Țara Bârsei),
corresponding to the present day Brașov county. The demand on behalf of
Andrew II to the Teutonic Knights was to defend the eastern borderland of
Transylvania from the incursions of the Cumans, a migratory people coming
from Asia. Once there, the knights started to build up fortified castles and
a new important urban center known as Kronstadt (Brașov). Nonetheless,
after hearing the news about the Teutonic Knights imposing themselves as an
important military force in the region, Andrew II expelled the order from
Transylvania. As such, the Teutonic Knights were forced to relocate to
Prussia but, luckily enough, the German colonists they brought with them were
given right to stay. |
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Hermann von Salza |
1209-1239 |
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Supposed
arms of Hermann von Salza Arms: Fascé (6) d’argent et de sable ŕ l’escarboucle fleuronnée d’or brochant. Legend.: le Roy de hongrie. (Armorial Wijnbergen, 1267). Ć See: Teutonic Order. |
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Somewhat
later the Saxon Nation adopted a seal for itself:
Seal of the Saxon Nation, 1244-1339 Figure: Four persons supporting a crown. Legend: X SIGILLUM
SIBINIENSIS PROVINCIE AD RETINENDAM CORONAM. The seal
is announced in the privilege of King Andrew II of Hungary with the sentence:
“In
super eisdem concessimus, quod unicum Sigillum habeant quod apud nos et
magnatos nostros evidenter cognoscatur.”
Seal of the Saxon Nation, 1302 [1] Wax, Ć 62 mm
Seal of the Saxon Nation, 1316 [2]
The seven boroughs on the map of Angelino Dulcert,
1339. With the inscription: Hogra septem castri
Seal of the Saxon Nation, 1372 [3] Arms: Alliance: 1.: 1|2 Arpad and France; 2.:
Poland; 3. [Gules] a trefoil inversed,
in chief a crown [Or]. (Saxon Nation). Legend: X S CIBINIENSIS PROVINCIE AD RETINENDAM
CORONAM. The seal
is announced with the sentence: “In
cuius rei testimonium firmum verum et ratum novum sigillum omnium septem
Sedium praesentibus cernitur subappensum.” From: Urkundenbuch zur Geschichte der Deutschen in
Siebenbürgen II, 976. Bedeus
1. With the
trefoil probably the figure from the first seal is meant.
Seal of the Saxon Nation, 15th cent. Arms: Saxon Nation Legend: S MINUS SEPTEM
SEDIUM SAXONICALUM. |
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Seal of the Saxon Nation, 1659 Figure: Seven towers, 1, 2 and 4. Legend: SIGILLUM
NATIONIS SAXONICĆ. |
Seal of the Saxon Nation Figure: Seven towers, 2, 3 en 2. Legend: Rom nemzetbol al sigill nationis saxonicae |
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On these illustrations, taken from Siebmacher, the
emblem is hatched Or, seven towers Gules. This has to be: Gules, seven towers
Argent.
Achievement of the Saxon Nation supported by the
Habsburg Imperial Eagle, On a coin, 1694
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1331 The
eagle is mentioned for the first time in relation to the Transylvanian Hungarian
nation in a document of 1331 in which Emmerich, Lord of Csik, is called “ductor aquille seu vexilli Universitatis
regnicolarum hungarorum parime Transsylvanarum” (the ensign-bearer of the
Banner of the Hungarian Eagle ). 1437 In a charter from 1437 we read: Vexillifer universitatis regnicolarum Hungarorum et Vallachorum 1555 Vexillifer aquilae gentium Transsylvanarum
hungaricalium On the
arms of Sigismund Bathory as a knight of the Fleece, the quarter for the
Hungarian Nation is blasoned: Arms: Transilvanie: Au I. D’or a un aigle
naissant, de sable; la teste costoyée, a droitte, d’un croissant tourné d’or,
a gauche d’une estoille six poinctes, de mesmes; soustenu de gueulles, a sept
montagnes d’argent, sommées d’autant de chasteaux de mesmes. (Chiflet 1632 Sig. Bathory) That is: Arms: Or, an eagle issuant Sable [its head between
a crescent on the dexter and a six-pointed star on the sinister, supported by
Gules, seven mountains Argent crested by as many castles of the same].
Seal of the Hungarian Nation, 1659 Seal: [Or] An eagle issuant [Sable] from a base
[Gules]. Legend: sigillvm comitatvvm transilvannie (Seal of the
Transilvanian counties). Adopted
by decision of the Diet at Mühlbach dd. 1659.05.24. |
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The
origin of the Székely people is still debated. The Székely seats were the
traditional self-governing territorial units of the Transylvanian Székelys
during medieval times. The Seats were not part of the traditional Hungarian
county system, and their inhabitants enjoyed a higher level of freedom
(especially until the 18th century) than those living in the counties. From the
12th and 13th centuries until 1876, the Székely Land enjoyed a considerable
but varying amount of autonomy, first as a part of the Kingdom of Hungary,
then inside the Principality of Transylvania. The autonomy was largely due to
the military service the Székely provided until the beginning of the 18th
century. The medieval Székely Land was an alliance of the seven autonomous
Székely seats of Udvarhely, Csík, Maros, Sepsi, Kézdi, Orbai and Aranyos. The
number of seats later decreased to five, when Sepsi, Kézdi and Orbai seats
were united into one territorial unit called Háromszék (literally Three seats). The main
seat was Udvarhely seat, which was also called the Principal seat (Latin:
Capitalis Sedes). Many national assemblies of the Székelys were held at
zekelyudvarhely (Odorheiu Secuiesc). A known exception is the 1554 assembly,
which took place at Marosvásáhrely (Târgu Mureș) In 1876,
a general administrative reform abolished all the autonomous areas in the
Kingdom of Hungary and created a unified system of counties. As a result, the
autonomy of the Székely Land came to an end as well. Four counties were
created in its place: Udvarhely, Háromszék, Csík, and Maros-Torda. (Only half
of the territory of Maros-Torda originally belonged to Székely Land.) The
isolated Aranyosszék became a district of Torda-Aranyos county. In 1940,
Romania was forced to cede Northern Transylvania to Hungary in the Second
Vienna Award; this territory included most of the historical Székely areas.
Hungarian authorities subsequently restored the pre-Trianon structure with
slight modifications. Following
the territory's return to Romania after World War II, a Magyar Autonomous
Region (Regiunea Autonomă
Maghiară) was created in 1952, which encompassed most of the land
inhabited by the Székely. This region lasted until 1960 and at the
administrative reform of Romania in 1968 was divided into the current
counties. The
ancient arms of the Székely Nation
which were still in use in 1437 are only known from a description by Wolfgang
Cséry who apparently has seen them. They were: Azure, an arm in armoury
holding a sword spearing a bears’ head and a heart, all proper, the heart
Gules. The legend read: Arma trium
generum Scythulorum.
A sun and
a crescent were granted by Emperor King Sigismund of Luxemburg (†1437).
Photo HdV ‘97 Arms of the Székely Nation Above a gate at the
Piaţa Centrala in Bistriţa. Arms: IHESVS MAIA 1480, in base a sun radiant, a
six-pointed star and a crescent. Usually
the sun is the symbol of the realm, the crescent the symbol of the state and
the star the symbol of the ruler. As such these symbols also appear in the
arms of Moldavia, Wallachia and Cumania. A seal
for the Székely Nation was adopted at the Diet of Mühlbach (Szászsebes)
of 24 May 1659 when Achatius
Barczay was the Prince of Transilvania.
Seal of 24.05.1659 Seal: Sun and Crescent. Legend: sigillum
nationis sicvlicae. In a
later version the legend is changed into: sigill
: nationis ź siculicć ź lo
erdeli orszagć ha : |
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Stamp |
Print |
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Counties of Székely Land after 1876 |
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Csik |
Háromszek |
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Maros Torda |
Udvarhely |
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Johan Zapolya |
*1487 - †22.07.1540 Voivode of
Transilvania 1511-1526 King of Hungary
10.11.1526 crowned 11.11.1526 recognized 1529 Prince of Transilvania
24.02.1538-1540 |
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In 1532, shortly after the coronation of Johan a coat of arms for Transilvania appeared on a map of the principality. It is insipred by the arms of the Saxon Nation and consists of the crowned Saxon trefoil pierced by two swords in saltire.
Arms of Transilvania From: Honterus, Johan:
Chorographia Transilvanić, Basel, M D
XXXII [4] |
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Johan Sigismund Zapolya |
*07.08.1540 - 14.03.1571 King of Hungary 1540 Prince of
Transilvania 1541 - 1551 |
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. Seal of Transilvania, 1550 In:
Chorographia Transylvaniae of G. Reichersdorfer of Hermannstadt On this
seal are the arms of Transilvania: Arms: [Gules] a triangle, its points ending in
leaves [Or] charged with two swords in saltire [proper]. Crown: Of three leaves and two pearls Legend: insignia transsilvaniae provinciae. In the
margin are the arms of the seven cities of Transilvania being: Hermannstadt,
Kronstadt, Klausenburg Mühlbach, Medwisch, Schassburg en Nösen. (I.e. Cibinium, Coronae,
Coloswar, Sabesus, Megies, Segeswar en Bistricia = present Sibiu, Brasov,
Cluj, Sebes, Medias, Sigisoara en Bistriţa). [5]
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Christophorus Bathory |
*1530-†27.05.1581 Voivode
28.01.1576-1581 |
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In 1581 the
arms of Transylvania are given by Martin Schrot:
The description reads: Sibenbürgen, der ober Schilde roth/ der under blaw/der dryangel roth/ die Cron gelb/ und die schwerdter Eyssen farb. [6] That is: Arms: Per fess Gules and Azure, two swords in
saltire proper, in chief a crown Or,
in base a triangle Gules. During
the reign of Christophor Bathory the emblems of the Saxon-, the Hungarian-
and the Székely nation, and the arms of the ruling voivode, were brought
together for the first time on a lead medal struck at the end of his rule.
Lead medal of Christophor Bathory, 1580 Medal: The arms of Bathory: Gules, a wolf’s jaw
Argent between a sun radiant and a crescent for the Székely Nation; In chief: an eagle issuant for the
Hungarian Nation; in base seven
towers on their hills for the Saxon Nation. Legend: (Obv.& Rev.): CHRIST BATH DE SOMLIO / TRANSYLV ź 1580 ź PRINCEPS Afterwards
the arms with the swords and the Saxon crown disappeared. |
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Sigismund Bathory |
*1572-†1613 Voivode 11.05.1581-1586 Prince of Transilvania 1586-1597 Knight of the Fleece n° 284 1596 Prince of
Transilvania 1598 – 1599 /1601 - 26.07.1602 |
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1595 Sigismund Báthory was the first combining the arms of himself and the arms of Transilvania, Walachia and Moldavia in alliance.
Seal of
Sigismund Báthory, 1595 Seal: Four coats of arms: In chief: The Empire, charged with Báthory; in base: Moldavia; on the dexter: per fess, the chief of the Székely Nation, the base of the Saxon Nation; on the sinister: per fess the chief of Wallachia, the base of Nova Plantatio.[7] Legend: sig d.g. tra. mol.val. tra. et sac . rom . imp . prin . par . rechvn . dom . sic com . |
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Ĺ The new coat
of arms for Transilvania on the seal of Sigismund Bathory, dated 1595 is: Arms: Per fess, in chief an eagle issuant between
a sun and a crescent in chief, and in base seven towers 3, 3, 1.
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As a Knight of the Fleece Sigismund bore (1596):
The arms
of Sigismund Bathory as a Knight of the Fleece [8] The arms of Sigismund Báthory is described by Johan Chiflet in 1632. The blazoning reads: CCLXV Hault & Puissant Prince,
Sigismond Bathory Prince de Transylvanie Portoit de l’Empire;
l’aigle chargé sur l’aile droicte d’un R, sur la senestre d’un A; sur la
queüe, d’un autre A, tous trois d’or: Sur la poictrine d’un escusson
éscartelé: Transilvanie: Au I. D’or, a un aigle naissant, de sable; la teste
costoyée, a droitte, d’un croissant tourné d’or, a
gauche d’un estoille a six poinctes, de mesmes; soustenu de gueulles, a sept montagnes
d’argent, sommées d’autant de chasteaux de mesmes. ...... Au II d’argent, a
unde teste de bufle affrontée, de sable; au canton dextre du chef, un croissant d’or;
au senestre, une etoille de mesmes. Corvin Au III, d’or, a un
corbeau contourné, de sable, la teste retournée a dextre; tenent au bec une double croix de
gueulles, au pied long, mis en bande. ...... Au IV d’argent, a
un arbre de sinople, au fruicts d’or, tenu de deux Turcs, vestus de gueulles, au
turbans d’or; au canton dextre du chef, un croissant; au senestre, une
estoille comme dessus. Bathory Sur le tout, de gueulles, a un machoire de loup contournée,
d’argent. Heaume couronné d’or a raions, a un hault fleuron sur le devant. Timbre: un vol adossé,
de sable, l’aile droicte chargée d’une R, senestre d’un A d’Or; entre les
deux, un autre A, de mesmes, sur le fleuron de la Couronne. Hachements d’or et de sable. [9]
Transilvanie: Au I. D’or, a un aigle naissant, de sable; la teste
costoyée, a droitte, d’un croissant tourné d’or, a gauche d’un estoille a
six poinctes, de mesmes; soustenu de gueulles, a sept montagnes d’argent,
sommées d’autant de chasteaux de mesmes. That is: Arms: Per fess, in chief Or, an eagle issuant
Sable between a crescent and a six-pointed star in chief or, and in base Gules seven towers on
hills Argent 4 and 3.
A modern rendering (1901) |
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Andreas Bathory |
†31.10.1599 Prince of
Transilvania 21.03.1599 |
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Arms of
Andrew Báthory 1599 Arms: Quarterly: 1 Or, an eagle issuant Sable a sun radiant and a crescent in chief (Hungarian and Székely Nation); 2. Gules, seven towers Argent (Saxon Nation); 3. Argent, a bull’s head Sable, with a five-pointed star between its horns Or (Moldavia); 4. Or, an eagle (alias raven) reguardant Sable, a latin cross in its beak Or, in chief a sun radiant and a crescent of the last (Walachia). Escutcheon: Báthori. Crown: A crown of three large and two smaller leaves, over it a cardinal’s hat with 2´6 fiocchi Gules. Supporters: Four cherubim
í This picture is taken from Siebmachers Wappenbuch. [10] For one reason or another the authors consequently gave the arms of Transilvania the tinctures of the arms as granted by Maria Theresia in 1765, i.e. per fess the chief Azure, an eagle Sable issuant from a fess Gules and in chief a sun radiant and a crescent Or, and in base Or, seven towers Gules. As a result, because Siebmacher is of great authority, the arms of Transilvania from the period of the reign of Sigismund Báthori until the reign of Maria Theresia are usually incorrectly represented now. Here, as the writers apparently did not know about the arms of Sigismund as described by Chiflet, also the arms of Moldavia and Walachia are incorrectly hatched. As he retreated from the battle of Şelimbăr, Andrew Báthory was killed by anti-Báthory Székely on 3 November near Sândominic and Michael the Brave gave him a princely burial in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Gyulafehérvár. |
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Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul) |
09/19.08.1601 Lord of Walachia
1593-1601 Lord of Transilvania
1599-1600 Lord of Moldavia 1600 |
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Emblem: The arms of Moldova supported by two princes. In chief the Wallachian eagle between a sun and a crescent. In base two lions supporting a sword upright (Kantakouzenos) standing on seven hills symbolizing the Saxon nation. Legend: X
NML BJE MLRDIE / X
IO MIHAILI UGROVLAHISCOI VOEVOD ARDILSCOI MOLD
ZEMLI. (By the grace of God,
I, Michael Voivod of Wallachia, lord of Transilvania and Moldavia). |
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Moise Szekely |
*1553-†17.07.1603 Voivode 09.05.1603 |
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In 1603
with the aid of the Ottoman army, he entered Transilvania and defeated the imperial
army. The same year on 17 July, he was killed near Braşov in a battle
against the voidvode of the Romanian Lands, Radu Șerban and consequently
his rule was extremely short. |
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Stephan Bocskai |
*1557-†29.12.1606 King of Hungary 20.04.1605 Prince of
Transilvania 1604/4.09.1605 |
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The arms
of Stephan Bocskay in
different arrangements From about this time the quarters
for Transilvania are always combined with the personal arms of the ruler. It was
only under Habsburg rule at the end of the 17th century that a coat of arms
on its own was designed for Transilvania. |
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Bálint Drugeth Homonnai |
02.1607-1609 |
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Szigmond Rákoczy |
05.12.1608 Prince of Transilvania 11.02.1607 - 03.03.1608 |
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Gábor Báthori |
27.10.1613 Prince of Transilvania 04.03.1608 |
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Thaler of
Gabriel Báthory, 1609 Arms: Per fess [Or] an eagle issuant [Sable] and [Gules] seven towers [Argent]. Escutcheon: Báthory Crown: A princley crown Order: Of the Dragon Legend: GABRIEL BATHORY D.G. PRINCEPS TRANSYLVANIĆ / PARTIUM REGNI
HVNG DOMINVS ET SECVL COMES 1609
Seal of Gabriel
Báthory, 1611 Arms: Alliance of Báthory between the Hungarian-
and the Saxon Nation Crown: A princely crown Order: Of the Dragon Legend: GABRIEL D.G. PRIN : TRAN : PAR
: REG : HVN : D . ET SI :
COMES . On both arms the
Székely sun and crescent are missing |
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Gábor Bethlen |
*1580-†15.11.1629 Prince of Transilvania 01.05. & 23.10.1613/1615-1629 King of Hungary 1620-1621 Duke of Opole and Ratibor 1621-1629 |
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Arms of
Transilvania and Impresa (emblem) of
Gabriel Bethlen. On his portrait
Achievement
on his portrait
Seal of
Gabriel Bethlen, 1614 Achievement Arms: Alliance: C. Bethlen; D. Hungarian Nation; S.: Per fess of the Szekely and the Saxon Nation Crown: A princley crown Order: Of the Dragon Supporters: Two Lions Legend: gabriel bethlen d • g • prin • tra • par • re • hvn
• do et sic • comes. |
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Banner of
Gabriel Bethlen, 1615 On a red background strewn with golden flames and with golden edges: Achievement Arms: Alliance: C. Bethlen; D. Hungarian Nation, in chief a sun radiant S. Saxon Nation Crown: A princely crown Supporters: Two lions. In the upper margin: Gabriel • d • g • princeps transsilvanić. In the lower margin: M • D C •.[XV] [11] í
On a modern reconstruction of this
banner the arms of the Saxon nation are erroneously Or, the towers Gules. |
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After his election
as a King of Hungary he impaled the arms of Hungary with the arms of
Transilvania and added his personal arm in nombril point.
Seal of Gábor
Bethlen, 1620 Arms: 1|2: 1. ˝ Hungary and Arpad. 2. ˝ : 1. Hungarian Nation, in chief a sun radiant; 2. Saxon
Nation in chief a crescent. In nombril point Bethlen surrounded with the
Order of the Dragon. Crown: The crown of St. Stephen. Legend: gabriel d.g. elect . rex vng dal. Cro sclav & rex trans princ et sic com. [12]
Silver
thaler, 1626 Obv: Bust. Legend: GABR D G SA R IMP ET TRANS PRINCEPS Rev: Arms:
1|2: 1. ˝ Hungary and Arpad.
2. ˝ : 1. Hungarian Nation, in chief a sun radiant;
2. Saxon Nation in chief a crescent. In nombril point Bethlen surrounded with
the Order of the Dragon. Crown: The crown of St. Stephen. Legend: •
par • re • hvn • dns • si • co • op : ratib • dvx 1626. |
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Catharina
Bethlen-Brandenburg |
Regent 15.01.1630 - 28.09.1630 |
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Two seals
of Catharina Bethlen-Brandenburg,
1630 1. Larger arms: Of 23 fields of the arms of Brandenburg, in nombril point Bethlen surrounded by the Order of the Dragon; and a chief of Transilvania. 2. Lesser arms: Ľ of Neurenberg, Prussia, Pomerania and Hohenzollern, in nombril point Bethlen surrounded by the Order of the Dragon; and a chief of Transilvania. Legend: Cath d g natamar ch bran s r i et trans pr bor ivcle mon rs c w c r car dvbvd n or pr h d sic comes. [13] |
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István Bethlen |
*1582-†1648 28.09 - 26.11.1630 |
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György I Rákóczi |
† 11.10.1648 Prince of Transilvania 24.04/22.12.1631-1648 |
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Seal of
György I Rákóczi, 1637 Arms: 1|2: D.: From a base an eagle issuant, in chief a sun radiant; S. Seven towers 1, 2, 2, 2 in chief a crescent. In nombril point Rákóczi. Crown: A ducal crown. Legend: georgivs rakoci d.g. princeps
traniae partiv r hvngar do et sic com.[14]
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György II Rákóczi |
† 09.06.1660 Prince of Transilvania 11.10.1648 – 1657 |
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Seal of
György II Rákóczi, 1648 Arms: As of György I Rákóczi Legend: georgivs rakoci d g princeps traniae part reg hvn do et sic co. [15] |
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Rhédey Ferenc |
†1664 Prince of Transilvania 03.11.1657-24.01.1658 |
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Seal of
Francis Rhedey, 1657 Arms: Of the three nations with escutcheon Rhedey, the lion guardant, the sword omitted Crown: A princely crown Legend: Franciscvs rhedei d. g. elec pri tra pa re hv do et
si co. [16] |
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György II Rákóczi |
2nd term 1658-1660 |
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Taler with
arms of Georg II, 1660 |
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Ákos Barcsai |
†12.VI.1661 Prince of Transilvania 14.09.1658-1660 |
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10 ducats
of Achatius Barcsay, 1659 Arms: Transilvania with escutcheon Barcsai. |
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János Kemény |
†12.06.1662 Prince of Transilvania 24.12.1660-1661 |
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Seal for
Transilvania of Johan Kemeny, 1661 (reversed) Coll. Magyar Nemzet Muzeum Arms: Transilvania with escutcheon Kemény Crown: The crown of Transilvania. N.B.: Here the crown has five points, two hoops and a cap covered with a network. It is crested with an orb-and-cross. |
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Michály I Apafi |
† 13.04.1690 Prince of Transilvania 14.11.1661-1690 |
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Frontispiece
with the princely arms of Transilvania.
Seal of
Michael Apáfi 1661 Arms: Transilvania with escutcheon Apáfi Crown: the crown of Transivania Legend: MICHAEL APAFI D G PRINCEPS TRAN PAR R HV D ET SI CO. (Taf 16).
The arms are crowned with a peculiar crown and are supported by two eagles’ heads. The coin was issued after the defeat of the Turks, being the suzerain of Apafi, at the battle of Vienna in 1683. In 1687 a treaty was concluded with Roman Emperor Leopold I in which Michael recognized Habsburg suzerainty. The crown of Apafi however has disappeared without a trace and has been replaced by a crown of a more western model. |
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Emmerich Tokely |
Prince of Transilvania 21.09.1690-04.12.1691 |
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Leopold I |
1691-1705 |
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Ducat with the achievement of Transilvania Arms: Per fess the dexter Or, an eagle Sable
issuant from a base Gules, in chief a sun radiant of the field; the sinister
Gules, seven towers Argent, in chief a crescent Or. Crown: A ducal het Order: Of the Fleece Supporter: The Imperial eagle with sword and sceptre
imperially crowned |
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Francis II Rakoczy |
Prince of Transilvania 06.07.1704-1711 |
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At the end of the reign of Leopold
Francis II Rakoczy proclaimed an independent Hungary and Transivania. On his
arms the quarters for Transylvania and his personal arms are combined in the
way usual for the rulers of Transylvania after Sigismund Bathory.
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Joseph I |
1705-1711 |
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Ducat with the achievement of Transilvania Arms: Per fess the dexter Or, an eagle Sable
issuant from a base Gules, in chief a sun radiant of the field; the sinister
Gules, seven towers Argent, in chief a crescent Or. Crown: A ducal het Order: Of the Fleece Supporter: The Imperial eagle with sword and sceptre
imperially crowned |
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Charles VI Habsburg
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1712-1740 |
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Ducat with the achievement of Transilvania Arms: Per fess the chief Or, an eagle issuant Sable
between a sun and a crescent in chief of the field; the base Gules, seven
towers Argent 4&3. Crown: A ducal het Order: Of the Fleece Supporter: The Imperial eagle with sword and sceptre
imperially crowned |
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Maria Theresia |
1740-1780 |
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Tabard of the First King of Arms of Maria Theresia Brussels, 1742, 81,5 ´ 126 cm Weltliche u. Geistliche Schatzkammer, Wien Inv. Nr. XIV 99. On the
second row first quarter and on the left sleeve the arms of Transilvania: Per
fess in chief Or an eagle issuant Sable between a sun radiant and a crescent
Or, in base Gules seven towers Argent on hills Azure, 3&4. On this
medal struck two years earlier however, the arms are modified:
Arms: Tierced per point arched: 1. Hungarian Nation;
2. Székely Nation; 3. Saxon Nation Mantle: Purpure, fringed Or crowned with a ducal
hat. On
this medal the hatching suggests the two first quarters Azure, the third
quarter Or. |
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A
completely new coat of arms was adopted by letter of 2 November 1765,
published Hermannstadt 6 October 1767. It is:
Achievement of Transilvania on the letter
02.11.1765/05.10.1767 Arms: Per fess, the chief Azure, an eagle Sable
issuant from a base Gules, between a sun radiant and a crescent in chief Or; the
base Or, seven towers Gules, 4&3. Crown: The grand principal crown of Transilvania Supporters: An allegory of the Republic on the dexter
and an allegory of Prosperity on the sinister, proper. The
letter reads: Nos Maria Theresia dei gratia Romanorum
imperatrix vidua, regina Hungarić, Bohemić, Dalmatić,
Croatić et Slavonić, archidux Austrić, dux Burgundić, Styrić, Carinthić et
Carniolć, magna princeps Transilvanić, marchio Moravić, dux Brabantć,
Limburgi, Lucemburgi et Geldrić, Wurtembergć, superioris et inferioris
Silesić, Mediolani, Mantuć, Parmć, Placentić et Guastallć, princeps Suević,
comes Habsburgi, Flandrić, Tyrolis, Hannonić, Kiburgi, Goritić et Gradiscć,
marchio sacri Romani imperii, Burgović, superioris et inferioris Lusatić,
comes Namurci, domina Marchić Slavonicć et Mechilinić, Lotharingić et Barri
dux, magna dux Hetrurić notum testatumque vi prćsentium facimus omnibus,
quorum interest, et memorić commendamus, quemadmodum inter ejusdem dominii
provincias non minus laudanda, quam felix et auspicata est ćmulatio, ut
qućvis pro virium suarum ratione et
nominis dignitate ad amplificandam asserdamque totius imperii majestatem plus
reliquis conferat; sic summus illius arbiter ad munus suum existimat pertinere,
singularum provinciarum eam habere rationem, ut illć, quć non solum prćclara
de ipso benemerendi voluntate ac studio cum aliis contendunt, verum etiam
facultate et amplitudine cćteris prćstare videntur, splendidioris tituli et
dignitatis ornamento augeantur. Sane diversorum regnorum ac ditionum, quarum
curam et regimen divini numinis providentia nobis jure hereditario commisit,
ambitum et statum circumspicientes, animavertimus Transsilvaniam, quć olim
Dacia Mediterranea fuit, eo inter provincias reliquas loco censeri, ut
quamvis nobilissima sit, ac finium suarum amplitudine, redituum publicorum
copia, et aliis commodis illarum plerasque longe antecellat, iis tamen ob
tituli inferioris conditionem ordine postponatur. Splendidiore profecto sorte
et singulari quadam prćrogativa digna nobis visa est Transsilvanić provincia,
veteris Dacić pars prćcipua, quć sub rege suo Decebalo Romanorum armis diu
fortiterque restitit, nec minus hodie celebris est, variisque nationibus
habitata, et in plures comitatus, iudicorum sedes ac districtus divisa; ćris
prćterea salubritate, oppidorum frequentia, omnis generis fodinarum lćtissimo
proventu, solique ubertate maxime commendata; majoris adhuc momenti est,
illam situ esse munitissimam et amplissimam, finibus inter Hungarić et
Polonić regna, ac magnum Ottomannorum imperium latissime protensis, gentisque
suć robore fretam, utpote, quć in propulsandis a patria exterorum hostium
injuris non semel prćclara virtutis edidit specimina, ut reipublicć
Christianć merito contra Turcas propugnaculum appelletur. Fidem non minus et
obsequium, ex quo illis earumque asseclis ejectis divi Leopoldi imperatoris
augusti, avi nostri immortalis memorić paternć ac validissimć protectioni
ultro se dedit, inque inclytć domus nostrć potestatem concessit, principibus
suis illćsam servavit, et hereditariam augustć domus nostrć successionem ad
mentem sanctionis pragmaticć sponte prompteque amplexa est. Ac hć regionis
et gentis decora accedit ipsa provincić singularis et prćcipua conditio, dum
nulli alii regno vel domino sive clientelć, sive alio subjecionis vinculo
obnoxia, a nobis pro summi imperii jure regitur, tum et ipsa prćclaris
privilegiis gaudet, propriisque legibus, magistratibus ac institutis a nostro
provincić gubernatore, et consilio nostris auspiciis administratur. Quam ob
rem et ne illius principatus splendori
ac magnificentić quidquam desit, quo alić ditionis nostrć provincić gaudent,
superiori anno majores in dicto principatu aulć officiales hereditarios
creavimus et nominavimus, qui in solemnibus principis inaugurationibus, et quoties
pro hujus instituti ratione feret occasio, suo munere publice fungantur. His omnibus
itaque consideratis, matroque consilio perpensis Transsilvanić principatum
pro singulari nostra in ipsum benignitate, nova honoris accessione, et
amplioris tituli ornamento prosequi volentes, illum ex certa scientia et motu
proprio, ea, qua dei immortalis beneficio tanquam universć monarchić
Austriacć, ex tot regnis, et ditionibus constantis domina, ac suprema arbitra
fungimur auctoritate atque de hujus potestatis plenitudine, prć aliis imperii
nostri provinciis duximus extollendum, eumque in nomine servatoris nostri, a
quo omnis honor et gloria promanat, ad mogni principatus digintatem, ac
titulum prćsentibus cum effectu amplissimo evehimus. Decernimus
etiam et hoc nostro diplomate finissime statuimus, ut posthac futuris
temporibus dictus magnus Transsilvanić principatus una com omnibus suis
comitatibus, sedibus et districtibus, civitatibus, oppidis, arcibus, terris,
villis et iuribus universis et singulis ad eum pertinentibus pro tali
habeatur ac reputetur, debitisque honoribus, prćrogativis et titulis, qui
magnum principatum decent, afficatur; quemadmodum et illos, qui eundem
legitime reprćsentabunt, quibuscunque in locis, pompis, provinciarum
conventibus, ceremoniis, celebritatibus aliisque actibus publicis, debitis
honoribus, titulis et prćrogativis uti, frui et gaudere volumus. Non
obstantibus aliis constitutionibus,
legibus, iuribus vel consuetudinibus, quć huis nostro exaltationis et
amplificationes diplomati videri possint contrarić. Ut vero idem
magnus Transsilvanić principatus congruis novć suć dignitati insignibus
condecaratus appareat, volumus atque concedimus ut pileus, qui illus scuto,
ubo provincić consueta tessera sive insignis pinguntur, imponi solet, hactenus
ad formam pilei principibis communis effectus, deinceps corona aurea
cingatur, radiis pertim cuspidatis, partim in florem desinentibus et sine
diademate regio, globo cum cruce medić ipsius pilei summitati infixo, ea
forma, quam prćsens typus exhibet. Novo hoc clypei ornamento Transsilvania
posthac gaudebit, eoque suam dignitatem nova prćrogativa auctam omnibus
reddet manifestam. Iam vero quo
magis singularis hujus provincić prćrogativć, quod nempe nulli alii, quam
proprio suo principi, sive clientelć, sive alterius subjectionis titulo vel
nexu subsit, eo certius et luculentius edatur argumentum, concedimus eidem,
ut in majoribus solemnitatibus, inaugurationibus aliisque pompis, ubi
ditiones nulli alii regno aut dominio obnoxić, sed soli principi suo subditć,
propriisque legibus et institutis gaudentes, per feciales suos sive heraldos
publice solent reprćsentari, suum etiam proprium habeat heraldum, qui
reliquorum more et habitu, magni Transsilvanić principatus insignibus, in
veste sua expressis, illumque publice reprćsentet. Porro certam
fiduciam habemus, hac prolixa et benignissima nostra in eundem magnum
Transsilvanić principatum voluntate, quam tam honorificis et publicis as
posteros monumentis testatam facimus, illius ordines, proceres, cives ac subditos
admoneri, magisque excitari, ut tantć munificentić memores, eandem suo erga
nos obsequio studeant demereri, et quam hacteus nobis, augustćque domui
nostrć egregie prćstiterunt, fidelitatis, et in juvandis patrić rebus
industrić, majora in dies edant specimina, ac avitć virtutus documenta. Ad hujus rei
testimonium ac perpetuam memoriam prćsens diploma dedimus aurea bulla
majestatis nostrć typario insignium, proprić manus nostrć subscriptione
firmatum in civitate nostra Viennć Austrić die secunda mensis Novembris anno domini millesimo septingentesimo
sexagesimo quinto, regnorum nostrorum vigesimo sexto. Maria Theresia m.
p. W. Princeps Kaunitz Rittberg m. p. Ad mandatum
sacrć majestatis proprium Fredericus
Liber Baro de Binder m. p Benignissimum hoc
suć majestatis scratissimć diploma, allatum, in onsilio lectum, ac
circummissis more consveto circularibus in universo magno principatu
Transsilvanić publicarun est. Cibinii de 6-ta Octobris Anni 1767. Stephanus
Halmágyi de Sz.-Somlyó m. p. Gub. Secretarius.
Ducat with the achievement of Transilvania Arms: Per fess the chief Azure, an eagle Sable
issuant from a fess Gules, between a sun and a crescent in chief Or; the base
Or, seven towers Gules 4&3. Crown: The crown of Transilvania Supporter: The Imperial eagle. |
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Joseph II |
1780-1790 |
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Achievement of Transilvania 1784 On a prayer book. (Bibl. Acad. Rom. C.R.V., nr. 575) Arms: Per fess the chief Azure, an eagle Sable issuant from a fess Gules between a crescent and a sun in chief Or; the base Or, seven towers Gules 4&3. Crown: The crown of Transilvania Supporter: The Imperial eagle with orb, sword and
sceptre. As Joseph II was a knight of the Fleece since
his birth in 1741, this achievement, the collar of the Fleece missing, is strictly speaking the achievement of
Transilvania and nót of the Grand Duke of Transilvania. |
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Leopold II |
1790-1792 |
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Francis I |
1792-1806/1835 |
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Ferdinand I |
1835-1845 |
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Medal to
commemmorate the coronation of Ferdinand I, 1837
Arms of Transilvania In the head of the ‘Gazeta
de Transilvania’, 1838 |
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Francis Joseph |
1845-1915 |
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Revolt of 1848 During
the 1848 Revolutions, the Hungarian insurgents called for the re-unification
of Transylvania with Hungary - opposed by Romanian (Wallachian)
revolutionaries led by Avram Iancu -, but also for the abolition of
serfdom. After the Hungarian revolt was crushed, Transylvania remained under
military administration for several years, and the March Constitution of
Austria defined the Principality of Transylvania as being a separate crown
land that is entirely independent of Hungary.
The coat of arms of Transilvania demanded by
Transilvanian revolutionairies in 1849. In it are
the Hungarian eagle and the Székely
sun-and-crescent and an allegory of Dacia Felix (Happy Dacia) keeping in her
right hand a Dacian falx and in her left hand a standard inscribed DF
between an eagle with a crown of laurel in its beak and a lion. In base are
the towers of the Saxon Nation. [17] Dacian falx
Dacian with falx On Trajan’s Column In Latin texts,
the weapon was described as an ensis
falcatus (whence falcata) by Ovid in Metamorphose and as a falx supina by Juvenal in Satiriae. The
Dacian falx came in two sizes:
one-handed and two-handed. The shorter variant was called sica (sickle) in the Dacian language (Valerius
Maximus, III,2.12) with a blade length that varied but was usually around
41cm long with a handle 1/3 longer than the blade. The two-handed falx was a
pole-arm. It consisted of a ca 90 cm long wooden shaft with a long curved
iron blade of nearly-equal length attached to the end. Archaeological
evidence indicates that the one-handed falx
was also used two-handed. (Wikipedia) Because of its Dacian connotations it was
adopted by the 1948 revolutionaries as one of their emblems. The insurgents calling for the unification
of Transylvania with Hungary adopted the arms of Maria Theresia of 1740 for
Transilvania.
Arms of Hungary on a 1 forint banknote 1848 The arms are: Arms: Quarterly: 1.
Transilvania; 2. Croacia; 3. Slavonia; 4. Dalmatia. In nombril point Hungary. Crown: The Holy Crown of
Hungary These arms are also on other banknotes
issued 1848. The arms of Transilvania
are of the 1740 design.
Seal of the Hungarian insurgents, 1849 On this seal the arms of Transilvania are
the first of the arms of the parts of the (Greater-) Hungarian Republic (i.e.
Cumania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Rascia, Lodomeria, Galicia, Slavonia, Croacia and
Dalmatia) surrounding the arms of Hungary. The arms are of the model of the
Transilvanian arms of Maria Theresia on the medal of 1740. The republic is symbolized by the vegetal
crown on the central arms, replacing the Holy Crown of the Habsburgs, and at the foot of the double cross on the
arms itself. |
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Hungarian |
1867-1918 |
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In 1866
the Transylvanian Diet voted for the affiliation with Hungary, which was accomplished
in January 1867. With the subsequent Austro-Hungarian Compromise (Ausgleich),
the centuries-long autonomous status of Hungarian nobility, Székelys and
Transylvanian Saxons ended and the Grand Principality of Transylvania was
incorporated into Hungary proper within the Dual Monarchy. Consequently it
ceased to be an administrative unit. As a
result of the Compromise the royal- and larger arms of Hungary were augmented
with the arms of Transilvania, formerly figuring on the wings of the eagle of
the Habsburg Monarchy of 1848. |
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Royal arms of Hungary after
1867 |
Larger arms of Hungary after 1867 |
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At an administrative reform of 1876 the former principality was divided into fifteen counties (of which four on former Székely territory). From then on Transilvania only existed as a heraldic category.
Arms of Transilvania From H.G. Ströhl´s Österreich-Ungarische Wappenrolle, 1890 |
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Hungarian Counties of Transylvania 1876-1918 |
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Alsó-Fehér |
Beszterce-Naszód |
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Brassó |
Fogaras |
Hunyad |
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Kis Küküllö |
Kolosz |
Nagy Küküllö |
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Szeben |
Szolnok Doboka |
Torda Aranyos |
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Romanian |
01.12. 1918-present |
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The arms of Transilvania as a quarter of the arms of
Romania, 1921 |
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Romanian Regions in former Transilvania, 1922-1940 |
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Crişuri |
Mureş |
Timiş |
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At
occupation of Crişuri and Mureş by Hungary in 1940 the former
counties were restored there. After the war the former regions were returned
to Romania and divided in districts (judeţ).
Present districts of Transilvania Alba Bistriţa Nasaud Brasov Cluj Covasna Hargiţa Hunedoara Mureş Salaj Sibiu |
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Lit.: Bedeus von
Scharberg, Josef Die wappen und Siegel der Fürsten von Siebenbürgen und der einzelnen ständischen Nationen dieses Landes. Hermannstadt, 1838. Keöpeczi, Sebestyén Jozsef. Erdély Czímere. In: Turul. 1917 pp. 33-48. Siebmachers großes and allgemeines
Wappenbuch. Bd. Iv. Teil 12: Siebenbürgischer Adel. Nürnberg 1898. Pp. 1-4. |
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© Hubert de Vries 2016-09-28
Heraldry of the World