The Schwarzenberg Coat-of-arms
The German noble family of
Schwarzenbergs was originally called the Lords of Seinsheim and
their proper emblem was a shield with silver and blue stripes.
After the conquest of Raab, the Turkish fortress, the emblem was
enlarged in 1599 by Adolf zu Schwarzenberg with head of a Turk, his
eyes being pecked out by a raven. In 1688, there was another
modification of the coat-of-arms which was improved by the symbols
of other dominions. Three red spikes in a green field symbolise the
Schultz dominion which was annexed to the dominion by Ferdinand zu
Schwarzenberg after the marriage with Marie Anna von Schultz. A
burning twig symbolises the Brandis dominion. In the heart shield
of the coat-of-arms there are emblems of the Schwarzenberg
dominions - a tower on a black hill and Kleggau -three golden
sheaves. Two golden lions occassionally appear as shield-bearers.
The prince's crown above the coat-of-arms symbolises the prince's
title.
(mj)