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Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) German Civic Heraldry

KLEVE

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Kleve
Additions : 1969 Bimmen, Brienen, Donsbrüggen, Düffelward, Griethausen, Keeken, Kellen, Materborn, Reichswalde, Rindern, Salmorth, Warbeyen, Wardhausen

Origin/meaning:
The present arms were officially granted in 1955 and did not change after the additions in 1969.

Kleve became a city in the 13^th century. The arms show the old arms of the counts of Kleve, a red shield with a white escutcheon. The trefoils, or Kleeblättern, may be a canting symbol.

The oldest great seals of the city show a castle or a city with between the towers the arms of the counts of Kleve (see the county arms). The present arms also appear in 14^th century contra-seals. From the 16^th century the colours of the arms are known. In the 17^th century often a knight was used as supporter and as a crest on the helmet a swan, with the small city arms hanging on a rope around his neck, was used, see below.

Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Nagel, R. : Rheinisches Wappenbuch, Köln, 1986.; old image from Joachim Beeck, Meerbusch.

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