Swedish heraldry

Swedish heraldry
Two heralds at the funeral of King Johan III, 1594
 
Heraldic traditionGerman-Nordic
JurisdictionSweden
Governing bodyRiksarkivet
Chief officerDavor Zovko, Statsheraldiker
Former chiefsClara Nevéus (1983–1999)

Jan von Konow (1975–1981)

Gunnar Scheffer (1955–1975)
Former offices
Riksheraldiker (1734–1953)Harald Gustaf Fleetwood
(1931–1953)

Adam Ludvig Carl Lewenhaupt (1903–1931)
Carl Arvid Klingspor (1880–1903)
August Wilhelm Stiernstedt
(1855–1880)
Niklas Joakim af Wetterstedt
(1829–1855)
Jonas Carl Linnerhielm (1809–1829)
Anders Schönberg (1773–1809)
Daniel Tilas (1768–1772)

Conrad Ludvig Transchiöld
(1734–1765)

Swedish heraldry encompasses heraldic achievements in modern and historic Sweden. Swedish heraldic style is consistent with the German-Nordic heraldic tradition, noted for its multiple helmets and crests which are treated as inseparable from the shield, its repetition of colours and charges between the shield and the crest, and its scant use of heraldic furs.[1] Because the medieval history of the Nordic countries was so closely related, their heraldic individuality developed rather late.[2] Swedish and Finnish heraldry have a shared history prior to the Diet of Porvoo in 1809; these, together with Danish heraldry, were heavily influenced by German heraldry. Unlike the highly stylized and macaronic language of English blazon, Swedish heraldry is described in plain language, using (in most cases) only Swedish terminology.

The earliest known achievements of arms in Sweden are those of two brothers, Sigtrygg and Lars Bengtsson, from 1219.[3] The earliest example of Swedish civic heraldry is the city arms of Kalmar, which originated as a city seal in 1247.[4] The seal (Swedish sigill), used extensively in the Middle Ages, was instrumental in spreading heraldry to churches, local governments, and other institutions, and was the forerunner of the coat of arms in medieval Sweden.[5] Armorial seals of noblewomen appeared in the 12th century, burghers and artisans began adopting arms in the 13th century, and even some peasants took arms in the 14th century.[5]

Heraldry in Sweden today is used extensively by corporations and government offices; the rights of these private entities and of official bodies are upheld by Swedish law.[6] In order to become legally registered and protected under Swedish law, an official coat of arms must be registered with the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV), and is subject to approval by the National Herald (Statsheraldiker) and the bureaucratic Heraldic Board of the National Archives of Sweden. Heraldic arms of common citizens (burgher arms), however, are less strictly controlled. These are recognised by inclusion in the annually published Scandinavian Roll of Arms.[7]

  1. ^ Warnstedt, Christopher von (October 1970). "The Heraldic Provinces of Europe", The Coat of Arms, XI (84) 128–130.
  2. ^ Volborth (1981), p. 129.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference kuriosa3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference SHS The Swedish Way was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Volborth (1981), p. 96.
  6. ^ Swedish law 1970:498 protects registered arms from abuse. "Lag (1970:498) om skydd för vapen och vissa andra officiella beteckningar". Swedish Code of Statutes (in Swedish). Notisum AB. 1970-06-29. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference SHS Reg was invoked but never defined (see the help page).