Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) German Civic Heraldry

MARBURG

State : Hessen
Distrct (Kreis) : Marburg-Biedenkopf (until 1972 free urban district (Kreisfreie Stadt))
Additions : 1929 Ockershausen; 1972 Bauerbach, Bortshausen, Cappel, Cyriaxweimar, Dagobertshausen, Dilschhausen, Elnhausen, Ginseldorf, Gisselberg, Haddamshausen, Hermershausen, Marbach, Michelbach, Moischt, Ronhausen, Schröck, Wehrda, Wehrshausen

Origin/meaning:
Marburg was a possession of the Counts of Thüringen, who granted the town city rights in the early 13^th century. The arms thus show a knight dresses as a count of Thüringen (most likely Ludwig IV). These arms are based on the oldest, 13^th century, seals, that also showed the knight. Smaller seals only showed the helmet and crest of Thüringen, with a letter M as a mark for Marburg. In the 15^th and 16^th century the helmet with the letter was also used as the arms of the city. At the same time the lion of Thüringen, with a letter M, was used as the arms of the city. This confusing situation was solved in 1577 when the present arms were adopted. They were again granted in 1895.

Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.

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