Kurhut
The Kurhut is a headgear corresponding to the older ducal hat of the electors of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation and should affirm their special rank and status.
In addition to its use as headgear, the electoral hat was mainly used as a heraldic coat of arms crown .
The ducal hat, electoral hat and princely hat differ from the crowns in that they have a hermelin-studded brim instead of a metal ring.
A flat purple cap with a wide ermine band and an ermine tail at the top was the oldest form. So saw z. B. the Saxon electoral hat until the early 17th century. In the further course of the 17th century, a beaded bow was attached in the middle of the cap, which was crowned by an imperial orb. In the 18th century, three to five clasps visible in the heraldic side view were used. The number of brackets depends on the individual case. Different numbers of clasps can be found on the same elector. While the electoral hat of Johann Wilhelm von der Pfalz still managed with three clasps, the Great Elector claimed five clasps after he had gained full sovereignty over Brandenburg. By the end of the 18th century, in most cases five clasps were used. Clemens Wenzeslaus von Trier , on the other hand, mostly used an archaic form without clips or tails. After the end of the empire in 1806, the shape with five clasps was sometimes used as a ducal hat, unless the ducal crown was used.
The shape and color of the hat were also used differently. Dark red purple for the electors and scarlet red for clergymen with a square cloth. The clergy electors also had a miter over their coat of arms .
literature
- Meyers Konversationslexikon 5th ed., Vol. 10, 1897, p. 763 f.
- Gert Oswald : Lexicon of Heraldry. Bibliographical Institute, Leipzig 1984.
Web links
- Numerous Kurhut forms on coins
- Saxon Kurhut