Austro-Hungarian Empire: Arms of the territories

[derLowe]

KINGDOM OF DALMATIA


Origin/meaning

Dalmatia is now part of Croatia and comprised a large part of the Adriatic coastline. Until the 12th century Dalmatia was a separate Kingdom. The Hungarian Kings acquired a large part of the area in the 12th century. The whole territory became part of Austria-Hungary in 1797. From 1805-1814 Dalmatia was part of the Kingdom of Illyria, a vassal state of Napoleon.
The arms of Dalmatia show three lion heads. Their origin is unknown, but the arms were part of both the large arms of the Kings of Hungary and the Doges of Venice. The heads were first uncrowned, but in the late 15th century the crowns appeared, but only in Hungarian arms.
The arms are now part of the 'crown' on the Croat national arms.

[derLowe]

COUNTY OF FELDKIRCH


Origin/meaning

The County of Feldkirch was a possession of the Counts of Montfort who sold the county in 1376 to the Dukes of Austria. The county is at present in the State of Vorarlberg, Austria.
The arms are the arms of the Counts of Montfort (see also Vorarlberg)
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

DUCHY OF FRIAUL


Origin/meaning

The Duchy of Friaul (now Friuli, Italy) was a separate state from 1077 until 1420 when it was conquered by Venice. The title was adopted by the Doges of Venice and the golden eagle was added to the arms of Venice. When the territory was acquired by Austria-Hungary the title and arms became part of the official title of the Emperor.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

KINGDOM OF GALICIA


Origin/meaning

The Kingdom of Galicia (now part of Poland) originally was a Ruthenian (=now part of Ukraine) principality, which became a Kingdom in the 13th century. In 1340 the kingdom became part of Poland. The Hungarian Kings, however also claimed the territory. After the first Polish division in 1772 it was acquired by Austria, but was incorporated into the Austrian part of the Empire.
The arms were first used in the arms of King Mathias of Hungary, as a claim for the territory in 1475. Later Kings of Hungary and Emperors of Austria-Hungary used the three golden crowns for Galicia. In 1804 the red bar and the crow, derived from the arms of Halicz were added. Halicz was the original capital of Galicia. From 1772-1918 Lemberg (now Lviv, Ukraine) was the capital.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

PRINCIPALITY OF GÖRZ


Origin/meaning

The Principality of Görz (now Gorizia/Gorica, partly Italy, partly Slovenia) was acquired by Austria in 1500. The origin of the arms is not known, but the composition is known since 1304. The number of bends in the lower half has varied during the centuries from 4 to 8, but otherwise the arms have not changed.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

PRINCIPALITY OF GRADISCA


Origin/meaning

The Principality of Gradisca (now Italy) was a county until 1647 and was part of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1647 it was made a principality for the Princes of Eggenberg as a loan of Austria. When the dynasty became extinct in 1717 the principality became fully part of Austria. The arms were newly devised in 1647, their meaning is not known.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

DUCHY OF GUASTALLA


Origin/meaning

The Duchy of Guastalla (now part of Italy) was created in 1621, and was since 1539 (as a county) a possession of the Gonzaga family. It was acquired by the Habsburg dynasty in 1746. In 1748 it was joined with the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, and became part of Austria together with Parma and Piacenza in 1847. The arms are identical to the arms of the Gonzaga family, granted by the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund in 1432.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

PRINCIPALITY OF HABSBURG


Origin/meaning

The County (later Principality) of Habsburg never formed part of Austria-Hungary, but was part of The Holy Roman Empire and is now in Switzerland. The Dukes of Austria, later emperors of Austria-Hungary, however, were from the Habsburg dynasty. Habsburg was first mentioned in 1020 as a castle. The Habsburg family rapidly became one of the most powerful families in Europe, after acquiring Austria and later also Bohemia and Hungary.The first use of a lion as the arms of Habsburg dates from 1186. Ever since the lion has been the arms of the County and the family.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

COUNTY OF HOHENEMBS


Origin/meaning

The County of Hohenembs (now Hohenems in Austria) was an Imperial loan, which became part of Austria proper in 1765. The arms are identical to the arms of the Counts of Embs, later Hohenembs.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890

[derLowe]

KINGDOM OF HUNGARY


Origin/meaning

The arms of Hunagry as used by the Austrian-Hunagrian Emperors during the late 19th century are shown above.
The arms were officially granted on February 22, 1874.
The arms show on the main shield the combined arms of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Siebenbürgen and Fiume. The first escutcheon shows the historical arms of Hungary (see under Hungary) and the smallest escutcheon shows the arms of the Habsburg dynasty. The crown is the crown of St. Stephan, see under Hungary.
Literature : Ströhl, 1890