Austro-Hungarian Empire: Arms of the territories

[derLowe]

KINGDOM OF ILLYRIA


Origin/meaning

The Kingdom of Illyria was created in 1816 by Emperor Franz I from the Austrian possessions along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, together with parts of present Italy, Croatia, Austria and Slovenia.
The name and arms were derived from the Roman province of Illyria. The galley appeared on Roman coins for the area. Historically Illyria was what is now Albania, and the classical Illyria never was part of the Kingdom created in 1816.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

COUNTY OF ISTRIA


Origin/meaning

The County of Istria (now Croatia), was founded in 1062 as an independent state. In 1250 it was acquired by the patriarchs of Aquileja, in the late 13th century it became part of the State of Venice. In 1814 Istria was acquired by Austria-Hunagry.
The arms are identical to the arms used for Istria by the Doges of Venice in the 13th century.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

KINGDOM OF JERUSALEM

Origin/meaning

The Kingdom of Jerusalem (now in Israel, Palestine and Jordan) never formed part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The Emperors, however, put a claim on the Kingdom, which existed during the crusades. The claim was based on a long range of successions. The Kingdom was first claimed by the Kings of Antiochia (now in Syria). In 1277 Maria of Antiochia granted the claim to King Charles II of Sicily from the Anjou dynasty. Through marriage the arms appeared in the arms of the Dukes of Lorraine in 1420. The Duchy of Lorraine became a possession of the Habsburg family, later Emperors of Austria-Hungary.
The Kings of Aragon and through these the Spanish Kings also claimed the succession from the King of Sicily and used the same cross in their arms.
The cross for the Kingdom of Jerusalem dates from the 12th century and is one of the few exceptions in heraldry where a shield consists only of the two metals, silver and gold.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

DUCHY OF KRAIN


Origin/meaning

The territory of Krain (Krajina, now in Slovenia and Croatia) was gradually acquired by the Habsburg dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1364 it was first mentioned as a Duchy. When the arms were devised is not known, but in 1463 the arms were officially granted and slightly changed to the above arms. The composition thus dates from prior to 1463.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

ARCH-DUCHY OF KRAKAU


Origin/meaning

The Arch-Duchy of Krakau (now Kraków Poland) became part of Austria-Hungary during the third Polish division in 1795. In 1814 the Duchy became an independent State, but in 1846 it was incorporated into Galicia and thus part of Austria-Hungary again. The title was created in 1806.
The arms show the arms of the city of Krakow on a shield with the Polish eagle.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

COUNTY OF KYBURG


Origin/meaning

The County Kyburg (now in Thurgau, Switzerland) never really belonged to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, but was a possession of the Habsburg family in Switzerland. It was acquired by the Habsburg family in 1264. The arms are the arms of the former Counts of Kyburg.
The arms formed the base for the arms of the Canton Thurgau.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

KINGDOM OF LODOMERIA


Origin/meaning

The Kingdom of Lodomeria (Wlodzirmierz, the capital city with the same name now is part of Ukraine) never really existed. The territory Wlodirmircz became part of Poland in 1340. The territory was claimed by the Hungarian Kings, who created the symbolic title. The arms were added to the Hungarian arms in 1252 by King Bela. After the Polish division in 1772 the area became part of Austria-Hungary. The meaning or origin of the arms is not known.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

DUCHY OF LORRAINE - LOTHARINGEN


Origin/meaning

The Duchy of Lotharingen (now Lorraine in France) was a large Duchy in the east of present France. It was an independent state, which was conquered by France in the 16th and 17th century. The Duchy never formed part of Austria-Hungary, but the emperors acquired the title Duke of Lotharingen after a marriage in 1736. Ever since the historical arms of Lotharingen have been used as one of the main quarters in the arms and most important titles of the emperors.
See more under Lorraine.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

DUCHY OF MODENA


Origin/meaning

The Duchy of Modena (now part of Italy) was created in 1452. It was acquired by the Austrian Emperors in 1814 and was incorporated into Austria-Hungary.
The arms are identical to the arms of the Este family, Dukes of Modena from 1452-1859.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

COUNTY OF MORAVIA


Origin/meaning

The County Moravia (German Mähren, now Morava, Czech Republic) became part of the Austrian Empire in 1526. The chequered eagle has been used by the Counts of Moravia since Wenzel II (1292). The original colours of the eagle silver and red, were changed to gold and red in 1462.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890