Norwegian heraldry
The Norwegian heraldry joins that of the Nordic countries such as Denmark , Sweden and Finland . Thus leading Norway , as these states, in his national flag, the simple Scandinavian Cross as the same basic shape. The different country-specific colors make the difference.
Much of the Norwegian coat of arms is of Danish origin. This particularly applies to the coats of arms of the nobility and the middle classes . The coats of arms of the long-established families of Norway showed no independence. The cause is the personal union that has lasted over four centuries . This lasted from 1380 to 1814 and dominated the coat of arms. Immigrant families, especially from Scotland , also shaped heraldry . The unregulated coat of arms of Norway was expressed in many violations of heraldic rules. There was no control by an authority or a heraldry . Changes were made to the inherited and adopted coats of arms at will. The hereditary character of the coat of arms was equally possible for both sexes, male and female. The family coats of arms thus became an unmistakable personal symbol. The coats of arms of a trunk line differed greatly.
See also
literature
- The great book of heraldic art , Walter Leonhard , Verlag Georg DW Callwey, Munich 2001, ISBN 3-8289-0768-7
