Wanfried
WANFRIED
State : Hessen
District (Kreis) : Werra-Meissner Kreis (until 1974 Eschwege)
Additions : 1971 Völkershausen; 1972 Altenburschla, Aue, Heldra
| German | In silber ein rotes Feld im Herzbereich des Schildes. Davor die Büste eines gerüsteten Ritters. |
| English | blazon wanted |
Origin/meaning
Wanfried received city rights in 1608 by Margrave Moritz of Hessen, but the oldest seal already dates from 1578. The seal shows the knight with a sword and spear. Ever since the knight has been the arms of the city. The image itself has changed considerably, sometimes a whole knight, sometimes a torso, with or without spear etc. The present image has been in use since the end of the 19th century.
The origin of the knight is not known. It has been stated in a document from 1613 that it is St. Bonifatius, but this is not likely. It has also been explained as a canting symbol (Wahr'n Fried, or peace-keeper), but the origin remains uncertain.
 The arms in a manuscript from +/- 1730 |
 The arms in an 1884 book |
 The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
 The arms in the 1970s |
Literature: Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.
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