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Belgische Gemeentewapens - Armories communales de Belgique
Belgian Civic Heraldry

TORHOUT

Province : West-Vlaanderen

Origin/meaning :

The arms were granted in 1819 and confirmed on January 25, 1842.
The oldest seal of the city of Torhout dates from the late 13th century and shows a tower as a canting element (Tor from toren = tower), with a fleur-de-lis and a ball. A second seal, known since 1302 shows the tower between two trees, which are also canting (hout=wood).
A third seal, dating from 1369 shows a completely different composition, with two keys flanked by two oak branches and a bird.
The last seal of the city, known since 1557 combines the elements, showing a tower flanked by two keys. This idea was also used in the early 19th century when the arms were granted, the tower was now flanked by both the trees from the older seals, and the keys from the newer seal.
The meaning of the keys is not known.

The arms are covered with a golden crown.

Literature : Servais, 1955


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