Three Crowns: Difference between revisions
imported>FarmerUpbeat m Reverted 1 edit by 87.7.199.185 (talk) to last revision by 73.26.224.53 |
imported>FrinkMan Already linked above. |
||
| (One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|National emblem of Sweden}} | {{Short description|National emblem of Sweden}} | ||
{{other uses}} | {{other uses}} | ||
{{Multiple image | perrow = 2 | total_width = 400 | header = {{big|Three Crowns}} | |||
| image1 = Three Crowns of Sweden (Tre Kronor).svg | |||
| image2 = Coat of arms of Sweden.svg | |||
| image3 = Stockholm 245.jpg | |||
| image4 = Roundel of Sweden.svg | |||
| footer = {{ubl | |||
|'''Upper left''': Three Crowns | |||
|'''Upper right''': The [[Lesser coat of arms of Sweden]] | |||
|'''Lower left''': The three crowns on Stockholm's City Hall | |||
|'''Lower right''': The [[Swedish Air Force]] roundel | |||
}}}} | |||
'''Three Crowns''' ({{langx|sv|tre kronor|links=no}}) is the [[national emblem]] of [[Sweden]], present in the [[coat of arms of Sweden]], and composed of three yellow or [[Gilding|gilded]] [[coronet]]s ordered two above and one below, placed on a blue background. Similar designs are found on a number of other coats of arms or flags. | '''Three Crowns''' ({{langx|sv|tre kronor|links=no}}) is the [[national emblem]] of [[Sweden]], present in the [[coat of arms of Sweden]], and composed of three yellow or [[Gilding|gilded]] [[coronet]]s ordered two above and one below, placed on a blue background. Similar designs are found on a number of other coats of arms or flags. | ||
| Line 9: | Line 17: | ||
== Origins == | == Origins == | ||
[[File:Magnus Ladulås sköld, Nordisk familjebok.png|thumb|upright|The backside of [[Magnus Ladulås]] (1240–1290) sigill stamp, showing three crowns around the king's Coat of Arms.]] | |||
Use of the three crowns as a heraldic symbol of Sweden has been attested, in the ''[[Nordisk Familjebok]]'', to the late 13th century, the three crowns first ringing the [[escutcheon (heraldry)|shield]] of [[Magnus Ladulås]] (1240–1290) and later appearing on the coins of Magnus Eriksson (1316–1374).<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Westrin |editor-first=Theodor |title=Nordisk familjebok: konversationslexikon och realencyklopedi. Bd 23 |edition=New, rev. and richly ill. |year=1916 |publisher=Nordisk familjeboks förl. |location=Stockholm |language=sv |url=https://runeberg.org/nfcc/0215.html |page=398 |access-date=2012-09-19}}</ref> | Use of the three crowns as a heraldic symbol of Sweden has been attested, in the ''[[Nordisk Familjebok]]'', to the late 13th century, the three crowns first ringing the [[escutcheon (heraldry)|shield]] of [[Magnus Ladulås]] (1240–1290) and later appearing on the coins of Magnus Eriksson (1316–1374).<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Westrin |editor-first=Theodor |title=Nordisk familjebok: konversationslexikon och realencyklopedi. Bd 23 |edition=New, rev. and richly ill. |year=1916 |publisher=Nordisk familjeboks förl. |location=Stockholm |language=sv |url=https://runeberg.org/nfcc/0215.html |page=398 |access-date=2012-09-19}}</ref> | ||
One of several traditional explanations have suggested that [[Albert, King of Sweden|Albert of Mecklenburg]] (1338–1412), who ruled Sweden 1364–89, brought the symbol from Germany. This theory has been refuted by later research, namely, the announcement in 1982 of the discovery of a [[frieze]] in [[Avignon]] in [[southern France]], estimated to date back to 1336. The [[frieze]] was painted for an international congress led by the [[Pope]] and contains the symbols of all participant countries, including Sweden. This discovery suggests the symbol was introduced no later than by Albrekt's predecessor, [[Magnus IV of Sweden|Magnus Eriksson]] (1316–74). | One of several traditional explanations have suggested that [[Albert, King of Sweden|Albert of Mecklenburg]] (1338–1412), who ruled Sweden 1364–89, brought the symbol from Germany. This theory has been refuted by later research, namely, the announcement in 1982 of the discovery of a [[frieze]] in [[Avignon]] in [[southern France]], estimated to date back to 1336. The [[frieze]] was painted for an international congress led by the [[Pope]] and contains the symbols of all participant countries, including Sweden. This discovery suggests the symbol was introduced no later than by Albrekt's predecessor, [[Magnus IV of Sweden|Magnus Eriksson]] (1316–74). | ||
===Early Swedish heraldry=== | === Early Swedish heraldry === | ||
The first coat of arms of Sweden from the 13th century featured a golden lion on a background of wavy blue and white diagonal lines (in [[blazon]]s, "bendy wavy Argent and azure, a lion Or").<ref name="Cristian Fogd Pedersen 1970 138">{{cite book |title=Alverdens flag i farver | author = Cristian Fogd Pedersen |year=1970 |publisher=Politikens Forlag |language=da |location=Copenhagen |isbn=87-567-1143-3 |pages=138 |chapter=Sverige}}</ref> It is still part of the present greater coat of arms of Sweden which is quartered between the lion coat of arms and the three crowns. As the lion and the crowns were occasionally re-interpreted as the coat of arms of the provinces of [[Götaland]] and [[Svealand]] respectively, the lion was earlier, erroneously, called the "Göta lion".<ref name="Cristian Fogd Pedersen 1970 138"/> | |||
The first coat of arms of Sweden from the 13th century featured a golden lion on a background of wavy blue and white diagonal lines (in [[blazon]]s, "bendy wavy Argent and azure, a lion Or").<ref name="Cristian Fogd Pedersen 1970 138">{{cite book | |||
== | <gallery widths="150" heights="210"> | ||
File:Codex Bergshammar (folio 3r) (cropped).jpg|Three crowns coat of arms in {{ILL|Codex Bergshammar|sv|Bergshammarvapenboken}} ({{ca|1435}}) | |||
File:Dialogus creaturum kolofon.jpg|Three crowns coat of arms in [[Dialogus creaturarum]] ({{ca|1487}}) | |||
</gallery> | |||
===Union of Magnus Eriksson=== | == Use by Scandinavian unions == | ||
Magnus used the symbols frequently, probably to mark his three kingdoms: Sweden, Norway and [[Scania]]. During the early 14th century, [[Denmark|Denmark's]] severe financial problems caused most of the country to be pawned to German princes, primarily [[Gerhard III]] and [[John III, Count of Holstein-Plön|John III]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Svensk Historia | author = Sten Carlsson, Jerker Rosén | year = 1962 | publisher = Bonniers | language = sv | location = Stockholm | pages = 200 | chapter = Från rikssamling till nordisk union }}</ref> Since Denmark's king was forced into exile in 1332, the Danish Archbishop in [[Lund]] requested that Magnus become king of the Scanian provinces of Denmark. Magnus redeemed the pawn from John III and was sworn in as king of [[Scania]] the same year.<ref>{{cite book | title = Svensk Historia | author = Sten Carlsson, Jerker Rosén | year = 1962 | publisher = Bonniers | language = sv | location = Stockholm | pages = 200–201 | chapter = Från rikssamling till nordisk union }}</ref> The earliest known coat of arms featuring three crowns as a symbol of Sweden dates back to the 1330s and appears in a painted frieze in the Cardinal of Bayonne's palace in [[Avignon]].<ref name="n712">{{cite book |last=Harrison |first=Dick |title=Sveriges historia: 600-1350 |date=2009 |publisher=Norstedts |isbn=978-91-1-302377-9 |publication-place=Stockholm |page= |pages=270–271 |language=sv |oclc=550703065}}</ref> | === Union of Magnus Eriksson === | ||
Magnus used the symbols frequently, probably to mark his three kingdoms: Sweden, [[Norway]] and [[Scania]]. During the early 14th century, [[Denmark|Denmark's]] severe financial problems caused most of the country to be pawned to German princes, primarily [[Gerhard III]] and [[John III, Count of Holstein-Plön|John III]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Svensk Historia | author = Sten Carlsson, Jerker Rosén | year = 1962 | publisher = Bonniers | language = sv | location = Stockholm | pages = 200 | chapter = Från rikssamling till nordisk union }}</ref> Since Denmark's king was forced into exile in 1332, the Danish Archbishop in [[Lund]] requested that Magnus become king of the Scanian provinces of Denmark. Magnus redeemed the pawn from John III and was sworn in as king of [[Scania]] the same year.<ref>{{cite book | title = Svensk Historia | author = Sten Carlsson, Jerker Rosén | year = 1962 | publisher = Bonniers | language = sv | location = Stockholm | pages = 200–201 | chapter = Från rikssamling till nordisk union }}</ref> The earliest known coat of arms featuring three crowns as a symbol of Sweden dates back to the 1330s and appears in a painted frieze in the Cardinal of Bayonne's palace in [[Avignon]].<ref name="n712">{{cite book |last=Harrison |first=Dick |title=Sveriges historia: 600-1350 |date=2009 |publisher=Norstedts |isbn=978-91-1-302377-9 |publication-place=Stockholm |page= |pages=270–271 |language=sv |oclc=550703065}}</ref> | |||
Although Denmark was reconsolidated under King [[Valdemar Atterdag]] in 1340 and regained its territory, and Norway left the union with Sweden in 1380, successive Swedish kings continued to use the union coat of arms with the three crowns. An alternative, less well-supported theory suggests that the three crowns are the three kingdoms in the traditional title of the Swedish king, [[King of Sweden|king of Swedes]], [[King of the Goths|Goths]] and [[King of the Wends|Wends]].<ref name="Lindgren-17">{{cite book | Although Denmark was reconsolidated under King [[Valdemar Atterdag]] in 1340 and regained its territory, and Norway left the union with Sweden in 1380, successive Swedish kings continued to use the union coat of arms with the three crowns. An alternative, less well-supported theory suggests that the three crowns are the three kingdoms in the traditional title of the Swedish king, [[King of Sweden|king of Swedes]], [[King of the Goths|Goths]] and [[King of the Wends|Wends]].<ref name="Lindgren-17">{{cite book |title=Gamla stan förr och nu |author=Rune Lindgren |year=1992 |publisher=Rabén & Sjögren |language=sv |location=Stockholm |isbn=91-29-61671-9 |pages=17 |chapter=Varifrån härstammar Tre Kronor-symbolen?}}</ref> (the two last of which he held in competition with the Danish king). The Swedes-[[Goths]]-[[Wends]] represent a timely fifteenth-century re-interpretation of the already well-established emblem. | ||
}}</ref> (the two last of which he held in competition with the Danish king). The Swedes-[[Goths]]-[[Wends]] represent a timely fifteenth-century re-interpretation of the already well-established emblem. | |||
===Kalmar Union=== | === Kalmar Union === | ||
[[File:Erikafpommernsdanskeunionssegl.jpg|thumb| | [[File:Erikafpommernsdanskeunionssegl.jpg|thumb|upright|Seal of Erik of Pomerania]] | ||
When the [[Kalmar Union]], the [[personal union]] between Denmark, Norway and Sweden, was instituted by Queen [[Margrete I]] in 1397, the three crowns symbol reverted to its use as a symbol of the union of three realms. Her successor, [[Eric of Pomerania]], used a coat of arms quartered between the coats of arms of Denmark (three blue lions on a golden shield), Norway (a golden lion with an axe on a red shield) and Sweden (a golden lion on blue and white wavy stripes) plus the union mark with the three golden crowns on a blue shield,<ref>{{cite book | When the [[Kalmar Union]], the [[personal union]] between Denmark, Norway and Sweden, was instituted by Queen [[Margrete I]] in 1397, the three crowns symbol reverted to its use as a symbol of the union of three realms. Her successor, [[Eric of Pomerania]], used a coat of arms quartered between the coats of arms of Denmark (three blue lions on a golden shield), Norway (a golden lion with an axe on a red shield) and Sweden (a golden lion on blue and white wavy stripes) plus the union mark with the three golden crowns on a blue shield,<ref>{{cite book |title=Alverdens heraldik i farver |author=Sven Tito Achen |year=1972 |publisher=Politikens forlag |language=da |location=Copenhagen |isbn=87-567-1685-0 | ||
|pages=216 |chapter=Sverige}}</ref> which is also the case for the following union Kings in the 15th century.<ref>{{cite book |title=Alverdens heraldik i farver |author=Sven Tito Achen |year=1972 |publisher=Politikens forlag |language=da |location=Copenhagen |isbn=87-567-1685-0 |pages=217 |chapter=Sverige}}</ref> | |||
| pages = 216 | chapter = Sverige}}</ref> which is also the case for the following union Kings in the 15th century.<ref>{{cite book | title = Alverdens heraldik i farver | author = Sven Tito Achen | year = 1972 | publisher = Politikens forlag | language = da | |||
==Use in post-Kalmar Union | == Use in Sweden (post-Kalmar Union) == | ||
Since the three crowns had been used in Sweden between the unions, both King [[Karl Knutsson Bonde]], who periodically drew Sweden out of the [[Kalmar Union]], and King [[Gustav Vasa]], who terminated it in 1521, used the crowns quartered with the lion as a symbol of Sweden,<ref>{{cite book |title=Alverdens heraldik i farver |author=Sven Tito Achen |year=1972 |publisher=Politikens forlag |language=da |location=Copenhagen |isbn=87-567-1685-0 |pages=216–217 |chapter=Sverige}}</ref> and this has continued to the present day. Since the 15th century, the crowns have been regarded as the "main" arms of Sweden<ref>{{cite book |title=Alverdens flag i farver |author=Cristian Fogd Pedersen |year=1970 |publisher=Politikens Forlag |language=da |location=Copenhagen |isbn=87-567-1143-3 |pages=138 |chapter=Sverige}}</ref> and thus can be used independently as the lesser coat of arms of the country. | |||
Since the three crowns had been used in Sweden between the unions, both King [[Karl Knutsson Bonde]], who periodically drew Sweden out of the [[Kalmar Union]], and King [[Gustav Vasa]], who terminated it in 1521, used the crowns quartered with the lion as a symbol of Sweden,<ref>{{cite book | |||
| title = Alverdens flag i farver | author = Cristian Fogd Pedersen | year = 1970 | publisher = Politikens Forlag | language = da | location = Copenhagen | isbn = 87-567-1143-3 | pages = 138 | chapter = Sverige}}</ref> and thus can be used independently as the lesser coat of arms of the country. | |||
The symbol is known to have been placed atop the central tower of the castle [[Tre Kronor (castle)|Tre Kronor]] (Three Crowns) in [[Stockholm]], destroyed by fire in 1697, no later than the early 16th century. | The symbol is known to have been placed atop the central tower of the castle [[Tre Kronor (castle)|Tre Kronor]] (Three Crowns) in [[Stockholm]], destroyed by fire in 1697, no later than the early 16th century. | ||
==The Three Crowns | <gallery widths="250" heights="150"> | ||
In the 1550s, King [[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav Vasa]] of Sweden found that the Danish King [[Christian III of Denmark|Christian III]] had added the three crowns to | File:Olofsborg, enligt Olaus Magnus 1555 (cropped).jpg|Swedish coat of arms on [[Olofsborg]] castle (1555) | ||
File:Great coat of arms of Sweden.svg|The modern [[Greater Coat of Arms of Sweden]] | |||
</gallery> | |||
== The Three Crowns conflict == | |||
In the 1550s, King [[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav Vasa]] of Sweden found that the Danish King [[Christian III of Denmark|Christian III]] had added the three crowns to the [[coat of arms of Denmark]].<ref name=Lavery>{{cite book |last=Lavery |first=Jason |year=2002 |title=Germany's Northern Challenge: The Holy Roman Empire and the Scandinavian Struggle for the Baltic, 1563-1576 |publisher=Brill |location=Boston, MA |page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Alverdens heraldik i farver |author=Sven Tito Achen |year=1972 |publisher=Politikens forlag |language=da |location=Copenhagen |isbn=87-567-1685-0 |pages=217 |chapter=Sverige}}</ref> Because the three crowns had been a Swedish symbol since the 14th century and were used by Danish monarchs only during the [[Kalmar Union]], Gustav interpreted Christian III's use of the symbol as a sign of intent to conquer Sweden and resurrect the union.<ref name=Lavery /> Christian countered that, since the monarchs of the union had used the three crowns, the symbol now belonged to both kingdoms and he had as much a right as the Swedish king to use it.<ref name=Lavery /> | |||
In Sweden, the Three Crowns were regarded as an exclusively Swedish symbol. This led to a long-lasting diplomatic conflict between the two countries, the so-called Three Crowns Conflict, with Sweden accusing Denmark of [[imperialism]] by using a Swedish symbol, and Denmark accusing Sweden of monopolizing the use of a Scandinavian union symbol. | In Sweden, the Three Crowns were regarded as an exclusively Swedish symbol. This led to a long-lasting diplomatic conflict between the two countries, the so-called Three Crowns Conflict, with Sweden accusing Denmark of [[imperialism]] by using a Swedish symbol, and Denmark accusing Sweden of monopolizing the use of a Scandinavian union symbol. | ||
| Line 54: | Line 58: | ||
This conflict played a role at the outbreak of the [[Northern Seven Years' War]] in 1563. At the beginning of the 17th century the conflict was settled with both countries being allowed to use the Three Crowns in their coats of arms,<ref>{{cite book | title = Alverdens heraldik i farver | author = Sven Tito Achen | year = 1972 | publisher = Politikens forlag | language = da | location = Copenhagen | isbn = 87-567-1685-0 | pages = 217 | chapter = Sverige}}</ref> although in Denmark it had a less prominent place in the shield, and was officially referred to as a heraldic reminder of the former Kalmar Union.<ref name="kongehuset">{{cite web|url=http://kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/De-kongelige-symboler/det-kongelige-vaben|title=Det kongelige våben [The Royal Arms]|date=23 November 2011|publisher=Website of the Danish Monarchy|access-date=13 May 2014}}</ref> Denmark used the Three Crowns in this way from 1546, until they were removed from the new coat of arms that was introduced in 2024.<ref name="kongehuset"/> | This conflict played a role at the outbreak of the [[Northern Seven Years' War]] in 1563. At the beginning of the 17th century the conflict was settled with both countries being allowed to use the Three Crowns in their coats of arms,<ref>{{cite book | title = Alverdens heraldik i farver | author = Sven Tito Achen | year = 1972 | publisher = Politikens forlag | language = da | location = Copenhagen | isbn = 87-567-1685-0 | pages = 217 | chapter = Sverige}}</ref> although in Denmark it had a less prominent place in the shield, and was officially referred to as a heraldic reminder of the former Kalmar Union.<ref name="kongehuset">{{cite web|url=http://kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/De-kongelige-symboler/det-kongelige-vaben|title=Det kongelige våben [The Royal Arms]|date=23 November 2011|publisher=Website of the Danish Monarchy|access-date=13 May 2014}}</ref> Denmark used the Three Crowns in this way from 1546, until they were removed from the new coat of arms that was introduced in 2024.<ref name="kongehuset"/> | ||
== Other three | <gallery> | ||
File:Royal Arms of Norway & Denmark (1535-1559).svg|Coat of arms of Denmark instated by Christian III in the 1550s | |||
File:Royal coat of arms of Denmark (1972–2024).svg|Coat of arms of Denmark prior to 2024 | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Other three crowns designs == | |||
{{more citations needed section|date=March 2013}} | {{more citations needed section|date=March 2013}} | ||
[[ | [[File:Flag of Vyborg.svg|thumb|upright|Flag of [[Vyborg]] ([[Russia]]), featuring three crowns]] | ||
Some heraldic displays outside of Sweden also incorporate triple crown designs. Some of the notable of these uses are discussed below. | |||
Some heraldic displays outside of Sweden also incorporate triple crown designs. | |||
===In Central and Eastern European armory=== | === In Central and Eastern European armory === | ||
The historical region of [[Galicia (Central and Eastern Europe)|Galicia]], now divided between [[Poland]] and [[Ukraine]], had under [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]] rule as its coat-of-arms a blue shield with three gold crowns as part of the design. The crowns are said to represent [[Lodomeria]], a historical province that was united with Galicia, while Galicia itself was represented by the black crow.<ref>{{cite web|url= | The historical region of [[Galicia (Central and Eastern Europe)|Galicia]], now divided between [[Poland]] and [[Ukraine]], had under [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]] rule as its coat-of-arms a blue shield with three gold crowns as part of the design. The crowns are said to represent [[Lodomeria]], a historical province that was united with Galicia, while Galicia itself was represented by the black crow.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldica.org/topics/national/galicia.htm|title=Galicia - Heraldica|publisher=heraldica.org|access-date=28 January 2014}}</ref> | ||
===In French and German armory=== | === In French and German armory === | ||
The emblem of [[Henry III of France]] was "Manet ultima coelo" with three crowns.<ref>Nuccio Ordine, ''Trois couronnes pour un roi, La devise d'Henri III et ses mystères'', Les Belles Lettres, 2011, {{ISBN|978-2-251-34700-4}}</ref> | The emblem of [[Henry III of France]] was "Manet ultima coelo" with three crowns.<ref>Nuccio Ordine, ''Trois couronnes pour un roi, La devise d'Henri III et ses mystères'', Les Belles Lettres, 2011, {{ISBN|978-2-251-34700-4}}</ref> | ||
| Line 71: | Line 78: | ||
The German towns of [[Otterfing]] and [[Tegernsee]] in [[Bavaria]] use the three gold crowns on blue design on their coats-of-arms. | The German towns of [[Otterfing]] and [[Tegernsee]] in [[Bavaria]] use the three gold crowns on blue design on their coats-of-arms. | ||
===In Irish armory=== | <gallery> | ||
[[File:Flag of Munster.svg|thumb| | File:Blason région pl ua Galicie.svg|Historical coat of arms of [[Galicia (Central and Eastern Europe)|Galicia]] | ||
File:Blason St Barthélémy TOM entire.svg|[[Coat of arms of Saint Barthélemy]] | |||
File:DEU Otterfing COA.svg|Coat of arms of [[Otterfing]] | |||
File:Wappen Tegernsee.svg|Coat of arms of [[Tegernsee]] | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== In Irish armory === | |||
[[File:Flag of Munster.svg|thumb|upright|[[Coat of arms of Munster|Flag of Munster]], Ireland]] | |||
Practically identical to the three crowns of Sweden is that of the [[Coat of arms of Munster|coat of arms]] and flag of the [[Province of Munster]], a region in the southwest of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. Like the Swedish model, it comprises two crowns above and one below. These represent the three great [[Duchy|duchies]] of the province, [[County Desmond|Desmond]], [[Ormond (ancient Irish kingdom)|Ormond]] and [[Thomond]]. The design was used as the flag of the [[Lordship of Ireland]] between 1171–1541 following the [[Norman invasion of Ireland]] until being replaced by the flag of the [[Kingdom of Ireland]]. | Practically identical to the three crowns of Sweden is that of the [[Coat of arms of Munster|coat of arms]] and flag of the [[Province of Munster]], a region in the southwest of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. Like the Swedish model, it comprises two crowns above and one below. These represent the three great [[Duchy|duchies]] of the province, [[County Desmond|Desmond]], [[Ormond (ancient Irish kingdom)|Ormond]] and [[Thomond]]. The design was used as the flag of the [[Lordship of Ireland]] between 1171–1541 following the [[Norman invasion of Ireland]] until being replaced by the flag of the [[Kingdom of Ireland]]. | ||
===In English armory=== | === In English armory === | ||
[[File:Three crowns emblem.jpg|thumb| | [[File:Three crowns emblem.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Three crowns emblem at [[Saxmundham]] parish church, Suffolk, England]] | ||
[[File:Flag of East Anglia.svg|thumb|Flag of East Anglia]] | [[File:Flag of East Anglia.svg|thumb|upright|Flag of East Anglia]] | ||
[[File:Memorial to East Anglians who died during The Great War - geograph.org.uk - 628576.jpg|thumb|Memorial to East Anglians who died during the First World War in [[Liverpool Street Station]]. The memorial, erected by the London Society of East Anglians, displays the flag]] | [[File:Memorial to East Anglians who died during The Great War - geograph.org.uk - 628576.jpg|thumb|upright|Memorial to East Anglians who died during the First World War in [[Liverpool Street Station]]. The memorial, erected by the London Society of East Anglians, displays the flag]] | ||
A shield of three golden crowns, placed two above one, on a blue background, has been used a symbol of [[East Anglia]] for centuries. The [[coat of arms]] was ascribed by mediaeval heralds to the Anglo-Saxon [[Kingdom of East Anglia]] and the [[Wuffingas]] dynasty which ruled it. The flag of the East Anglian king and saint, [[Edmund the Martyr]] consists of three gold crowns on a field of blue (''Azure, three crowns Or''),<ref name="Perrin">{{cite book | A shield of three golden crowns, placed two above one, on a blue background, has been used a symbol of [[East Anglia]] for centuries. The [[coat of arms]] was ascribed by mediaeval heralds to the Anglo-Saxon [[Kingdom of East Anglia]] and the [[Wuffingas]] dynasty which ruled it. The flag of the East Anglian king and saint, [[Edmund the Martyr]] consists of three gold crowns on a field of blue (''Azure, three crowns Or''),<ref name="Perrin">{{cite book |last=Perrin |first=W.G. |title=British Flags |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1922 |location=Cambridge |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.169115}}</ref> The East Anglian flag as it is known today was proposed by George Henry Langham and adopted in 1902 by the London Society of East Anglians (established in 1896). It superimposes the three crowns in a blue shield on a [[St George's cross]]. | ||
The three crowns appear, carved in stone, on the [[baptismal font]] (c.1400) in the parish church of [[Saxmundham]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saxmundham.org/aboutsax/parishchurch.html |title=About Saxmundham – The Parish Church |publisher=Saxmundham.org |access-date=2016-04-19}}</ref> and on the 15th century porch of [[Woolpit]] church, both in Suffolk. | The three crowns appear, carved in stone, on the [[baptismal font]] (c.1400) in the parish church of [[Saxmundham]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saxmundham.org/aboutsax/parishchurch.html |title=About Saxmundham – The Parish Church |publisher=Saxmundham.org |access-date=2016-04-19}}</ref> and on the 15th century porch of [[Woolpit]] church, both in Suffolk. | ||
| Line 95: | Line 101: | ||
A three crowns design is the coat of arms of the city of [[Kingston upon Hull]], a large port in [[Yorkshire]], but this design sees the three crowns stacked vertically and relates back to the Royal charter of 1299. The emblem is used by the city council and the city's two [[rugby league]] teams. | A three crowns design is the coat of arms of the city of [[Kingston upon Hull]], a large port in [[Yorkshire]], but this design sees the three crowns stacked vertically and relates back to the Royal charter of 1299. The emblem is used by the city council and the city's two [[rugby league]] teams. | ||
In the literature, the coat of arms of the legendary [[King Arthur]] is also often given as [[Azure (heraldry)|azure]] with three crowns [[or (heraldry)|or]].<ref>[ | In the literature, the coat of arms of the legendary [[King Arthur]] is also often given as [[Azure (heraldry)|azure]] with three crowns [[or (heraldry)|or]].<ref>[https://expositions.bnf.fr/arthur/grand/042.htm ''Illustration des Neuf Preux''], parchment 209 f., in Th. de Saluces, Le Chevalier errant, ''Manuscrits français'' 12559, folio 125, [[Bibliothèque Nationale de France]], [[Paris]], ca. 1403-1404.</ref> Indeed, [[Great Britain|Britain]] included three realms, [[Logres]] (England), [[Cambria]] (Wales) and [[Alba]] (Scotland). | ||
The [[University of Oxford]] uses as its [[Coat of arms of the University of Oxford|arms]] the three gold crowns on blue accompanied by an open book. The origin of the three crowns is not exactly known but may refer to the arms of [[Thomas Cranley]], [[List of chancellors of the University of Oxford|Chancellor of the University of Oxford]] in 1390.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oxford University Archives|url=http://www.oua.ox.ac.uk/enquiries/arms.html|publisher=www.oua.ox.ac.uk|access-date=30 March 2013}}</ref> | The [[University of Oxford]] uses as its [[Coat of arms of the University of Oxford|arms]] the three gold crowns on blue accompanied by an open book. The origin of the three crowns is not exactly known but may refer to the arms of [[Thomas Cranley]], [[List of chancellors of the University of Oxford|Chancellor of the University of Oxford]] in 1390.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oxford University Archives|url=http://www.oua.ox.ac.uk/enquiries/arms.html|publisher=www.oua.ox.ac.uk|access-date=30 March 2013}}</ref> | ||
| Line 104: | Line 110: | ||
=== In Scottish armory === | === In Scottish armory === | ||
[[File:Coat of arms of MacArthur.svg|thumb|upright|Coat of arms of the chief of the Clan Arthur]] | |||
The coat of arms of the [[Scottish clan chief|chief]] of [[Clan Grant]] displays the three gold crowns on a red background (gules, three ancient crowns or). Earlier it is recorded to have been three gold crowns on a blue background (azure, three crowns or).<ref>{{cite book |last=McAndrew |first=BA |year=2006 |title=Scotland's Historic Heraldry |publisher=[[Boydell Press]] |location=Woodbridge |isbn=9781843832614 }}, pp. 462-463.</ref> The Grant arms formed the basis of the arms of the burgh of [[Grantown-on-Spey]], which was founded on the clan's land in 1765. | |||
The coat of arms of the chief of [[Clan Arthur]] (or Clan MacArthur) uses the three gold crowns on blue (azure, three antique crowns or).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://clanarthur.website/history/|title=History – Clan Arthur}}</ref> | |||
The coat of arms of the [[ | === In Spanish armory === | ||
The three gold crowns on blue design appears on the coat of arms of the Spanish city of [[Burriana]] in the [[Valencian Community]], but, like Coutts & Co, is arranged one over two instead of two over one. The crowns here refer to the fact that in 1901, the Queen Regent of Spain, [[Maria Christina of Austria]], gave the town the title of city, and was crowned three times.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pueblos-espana.org/comunidad+valenciana/castellon/burriana/ |title=Burriana (Castellón) Pueblas de España |language=es |access-date=19 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
The | The [[Coat of arms of Lima]], capital of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru, features three crowns. It was granted to the city in 1537 by [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]], Holy Roman Emperor and king of the Hispanic Monarchy (as Charles I). | ||
<gallery> | |||
File:Escut de Borriana.svg|Coat of arms of Burriana | |||
File:Coat of arms of Lima (1537).svg|[[Coat of arms of Lima]] | |||
</gallery> | |||
===In modern trade marks=== | === In modern trade marks === | ||
[[File:1965 Chrysler New Yorker 2-Door Hardtop (rear, detail).jpg|thumb|A detail of a 1965 Chrysler New Yorker, showing the three crown symbol on its rear.]] | [[File:1965 Chrysler New Yorker 2-Door Hardtop (rear, detail).jpg|thumb|A detail of a 1965 Chrysler New Yorker, showing the three crown symbol on its rear.]] | ||
A symbol with three crowns was used by [[Chrysler]] on some of its [[Chrysler New Yorker|New Yorker]] models in the 1960s. A symbol for the marque's top model, the crowns were placed in a row on the vehicle rear and over each other in the front. During the 1980s and 1990s, [[Broderbund|Broderbund Software]] used a stylised variant of the symbol. | A symbol with three crowns was used by [[Chrysler]] on some of its [[Chrysler New Yorker|New Yorker]] models in the 1960s. A symbol for the marque's top model, the crowns were placed in a row on the vehicle rear and over each other in the front. During the 1980s and 1990s, [[Broderbund|Broderbund Software]] used a stylised variant of the symbol. | ||
| Line 132: | Line 142: | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
==Further reading== | == Further reading == | ||
* {{cite journal |last=de Loÿe |first=Georges |title=Om ursprunget till det svenska riksvapnet Tre Kronor |journal=Historisk Tidskrift |volume=6 |issue=54 |year=1986 |pages=155|url=https://heraldik.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/HT.1986.6.54.s155-de-Loye-tre-kronor-roterad.pdf|lang=sv}} | * {{cite journal |last=de Loÿe |first=Georges |title=Om ursprunget till det svenska riksvapnet Tre Kronor |journal=Historisk Tidskrift |volume=6 |issue=54 |year=1986 |pages=155 |url=https://heraldik.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/HT.1986.6.54.s155-de-Loye-tre-kronor-roterad.pdf |lang=sv}} | ||
{{National Symbols of Sweden}} | {{National Symbols of Sweden}} | ||
Latest revision as of 20:36, 31 December 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "other uses". Script error: No such module "Multiple image". Three Crowns (Template:Langx) is the national emblem of Sweden, present in the coat of arms of Sweden, and composed of three yellow or gilded coronets ordered two above and one below, placed on a blue background. Similar designs are found on a number of other coats of arms or flags.
The emblem is often used as a symbol of official State authority by the Monarchy, the Riksdag, the Government of Sweden and by Swedish embassies around the world, but also appears in other less formal contexts, such as the Sweden men's national ice hockey team, who wear the symbol on their sweaters and hence are called "Three Crowns", and atop the Stockholm City Hall (built 1911–1923). The Three Crowns are also used as the roundel on military aircraft of the Swedish Air Force and as a sign on Swedish military equipment in general, and also on the uniforms and vehicles of the Swedish Police Authority.
Origins
Use of the three crowns as a heraldic symbol of Sweden has been attested, in the Nordisk Familjebok, to the late 13th century, the three crowns first ringing the shield of Magnus Ladulås (1240–1290) and later appearing on the coins of Magnus Eriksson (1316–1374).[1]
One of several traditional explanations have suggested that Albert of Mecklenburg (1338–1412), who ruled Sweden 1364–89, brought the symbol from Germany. This theory has been refuted by later research, namely, the announcement in 1982 of the discovery of a frieze in Avignon in southern France, estimated to date back to 1336. The frieze was painted for an international congress led by the Pope and contains the symbols of all participant countries, including Sweden. This discovery suggests the symbol was introduced no later than by Albrekt's predecessor, Magnus Eriksson (1316–74).
Early Swedish heraldry
The first coat of arms of Sweden from the 13th century featured a golden lion on a background of wavy blue and white diagonal lines (in blazons, "bendy wavy Argent and azure, a lion Or").[2] It is still part of the present greater coat of arms of Sweden which is quartered between the lion coat of arms and the three crowns. As the lion and the crowns were occasionally re-interpreted as the coat of arms of the provinces of Götaland and Svealand respectively, the lion was earlier, erroneously, called the "Göta lion".[2]
-
Three crowns coat of arms in Template:ILL (Template:Ca)
-
Three crowns coat of arms in Dialogus creaturarum (Template:Ca)
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
Union of Magnus Eriksson
Magnus used the symbols frequently, probably to mark his three kingdoms: Sweden, Norway and Scania. During the early 14th century, Denmark's severe financial problems caused most of the country to be pawned to German princes, primarily Gerhard III and John III.[3] Since Denmark's king was forced into exile in 1332, the Danish Archbishop in Lund requested that Magnus become king of the Scanian provinces of Denmark. Magnus redeemed the pawn from John III and was sworn in as king of Scania the same year.[4] The earliest known coat of arms featuring three crowns as a symbol of Sweden dates back to the 1330s and appears in a painted frieze in the Cardinal of Bayonne's palace in Avignon.[5]
Although Denmark was reconsolidated under King Valdemar Atterdag in 1340 and regained its territory, and Norway left the union with Sweden in 1380, successive Swedish kings continued to use the union coat of arms with the three crowns. An alternative, less well-supported theory suggests that the three crowns are the three kingdoms in the traditional title of the Swedish king, king of Swedes, Goths and Wends.[6] (the two last of which he held in competition with the Danish king). The Swedes-Goths-Wends represent a timely fifteenth-century re-interpretation of the already well-established emblem.
Kalmar Union
When the Kalmar Union, the personal union between Denmark, Norway and Sweden, was instituted by Queen Margrete I in 1397, the three crowns symbol reverted to its use as a symbol of the union of three realms. Her successor, Eric of Pomerania, used a coat of arms quartered between the coats of arms of Denmark (three blue lions on a golden shield), Norway (a golden lion with an axe on a red shield) and Sweden (a golden lion on blue and white wavy stripes) plus the union mark with the three golden crowns on a blue shield,[7] which is also the case for the following union Kings in the 15th century.[8]
Use in Sweden (post-Kalmar Union)
Since the three crowns had been used in Sweden between the unions, both King Karl Knutsson Bonde, who periodically drew Sweden out of the Kalmar Union, and King Gustav Vasa, who terminated it in 1521, used the crowns quartered with the lion as a symbol of Sweden,[9] and this has continued to the present day. Since the 15th century, the crowns have been regarded as the "main" arms of Sweden[10] and thus can be used independently as the lesser coat of arms of the country.
The symbol is known to have been placed atop the central tower of the castle Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) in Stockholm, destroyed by fire in 1697, no later than the early 16th century.
-
Swedish coat of arms on Olofsborg castle (1555)
-
The modern Greater Coat of Arms of Sweden
.jpg){kind=link}
The Three Crowns conflict
In the 1550s, King Gustav Vasa of Sweden found that the Danish King Christian III had added the three crowns to the coat of arms of Denmark.[11][12] Because the three crowns had been a Swedish symbol since the 14th century and were used by Danish monarchs only during the Kalmar Union, Gustav interpreted Christian III's use of the symbol as a sign of intent to conquer Sweden and resurrect the union.[11] Christian countered that, since the monarchs of the union had used the three crowns, the symbol now belonged to both kingdoms and he had as much a right as the Swedish king to use it.[11]
In Sweden, the Three Crowns were regarded as an exclusively Swedish symbol. This led to a long-lasting diplomatic conflict between the two countries, the so-called Three Crowns Conflict, with Sweden accusing Denmark of imperialism by using a Swedish symbol, and Denmark accusing Sweden of monopolizing the use of a Scandinavian union symbol.
This conflict played a role at the outbreak of the Northern Seven Years' War in 1563. At the beginning of the 17th century the conflict was settled with both countries being allowed to use the Three Crowns in their coats of arms,[13] although in Denmark it had a less prominent place in the shield, and was officially referred to as a heraldic reminder of the former Kalmar Union.[14] Denmark used the Three Crowns in this way from 1546, until they were removed from the new coat of arms that was introduced in 2024.[14]
-
Coat of arms of Denmark instated by Christian III in the 1550s
-
Coat of arms of Denmark prior to 2024
.svg){kind=link}
.svg){kind=link}
Other three crowns designs
Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Some heraldic displays outside of Sweden also incorporate triple crown designs. Some of the notable of these uses are discussed below.
In Central and Eastern European armory
The historical region of Galicia, now divided between Poland and Ukraine, had under Austro-Hungarian rule as its coat-of-arms a blue shield with three gold crowns as part of the design. The crowns are said to represent Lodomeria, a historical province that was united with Galicia, while Galicia itself was represented by the black crow.[15]
In French and German armory
The emblem of Henry III of France was "Manet ultima coelo" with three crowns.[16]
The French Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy was a Swedish colony between 1784 and 1878, and the island's coat of arms includes the three crowns as part of the design.
The German towns of Otterfing and Tegernsee in Bavaria use the three gold crowns on blue design on their coats-of-arms.
In Irish armory
Practically identical to the three crowns of Sweden is that of the coat of arms and flag of the Province of Munster, a region in the southwest of Ireland. Like the Swedish model, it comprises two crowns above and one below. These represent the three great duchies of the province, Desmond, Ormond and Thomond. The design was used as the flag of the Lordship of Ireland between 1171–1541 following the Norman invasion of Ireland until being replaced by the flag of the Kingdom of Ireland.
In English armory
A shield of three golden crowns, placed two above one, on a blue background, has been used a symbol of East Anglia for centuries. The coat of arms was ascribed by mediaeval heralds to the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of East Anglia and the Wuffingas dynasty which ruled it. The flag of the East Anglian king and saint, Edmund the Martyr consists of three gold crowns on a field of blue (Azure, three crowns Or),[17] The East Anglian flag as it is known today was proposed by George Henry Langham and adopted in 1902 by the London Society of East Anglians (established in 1896). It superimposes the three crowns in a blue shield on a St George's cross.
The three crowns appear, carved in stone, on the baptismal font (c.1400) in the parish church of Saxmundham,[18] and on the 15th century porch of Woolpit church, both in Suffolk.
The emblem of three crowns is evident in East Anglian local heraldry; they appear in the arms of the diocese of Ely and the borough of Bury St Edmunds where the crowns are shown pierced with arrows to represent the martyrdom of St. Edmund. They were also included in the arms of the former Isle of Ely County Council, the Borough of Colchester and the University of East Anglia.
A three crowns design is the coat of arms of the city of Kingston upon Hull, a large port in Yorkshire, but this design sees the three crowns stacked vertically and relates back to the Royal charter of 1299. The emblem is used by the city council and the city's two rugby league teams.
In the literature, the coat of arms of the legendary King Arthur is also often given as azure with three crowns or.[19] Indeed, Britain included three realms, Logres (England), Cambria (Wales) and Alba (Scotland).
The University of Oxford uses as its arms the three gold crowns on blue accompanied by an open book. The origin of the three crowns is not exactly known but may refer to the arms of Thomas Cranley, Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 1390.[20]
Two dioceses of the Church of England use the three crowns emblem; Ely (gules three ducal coronets two over one or) and Bristol (sable three crowns arranged in pale or, similar to the city of Hull).[21]
The first corporate coat of arms was granted in 1439 to the Drapers' Company in London with three triple crowns. Three crowns also form the logo of Coutts, the London-based private bankers, but in this case the design comprises one crown at the top, with two below.
In Scottish armory
The coat of arms of the chief of Clan Grant displays the three gold crowns on a red background (gules, three ancient crowns or). Earlier it is recorded to have been three gold crowns on a blue background (azure, three crowns or).[22] The Grant arms formed the basis of the arms of the burgh of Grantown-on-Spey, which was founded on the clan's land in 1765.
The coat of arms of the chief of Clan Arthur (or Clan MacArthur) uses the three gold crowns on blue (azure, three antique crowns or).[23]
In Spanish armory
The three gold crowns on blue design appears on the coat of arms of the Spanish city of Burriana in the Valencian Community, but, like Coutts & Co, is arranged one over two instead of two over one. The crowns here refer to the fact that in 1901, the Queen Regent of Spain, Maria Christina of Austria, gave the town the title of city, and was crowned three times.[24]
The Coat of arms of Lima, capital of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru, features three crowns. It was granted to the city in 1537 by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and king of the Hispanic Monarchy (as Charles I).
-
Coat of arms of Burriana
.svg){kind=link}
In modern trade marks
.jpg){kind=link}
A symbol with three crowns was used by Chrysler on some of its New Yorker models in the 1960s. A symbol for the marque's top model, the crowns were placed in a row on the vehicle rear and over each other in the front. During the 1980s and 1990s, Broderbund Software used a stylised variant of the symbol.
See also
Script error: No such module "Portal".
- Gustavus Adolphus College
- Mother Svea
- Flag of Sweden
- University of Oxford
- Three Crowns Castle
- Trekroner Fort
- Triple Crown
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Nuccio Ordine, Trois couronnes pour un roi, La devise d'Henri III et ses mystères, Les Belles Lettres, 2011, Template:ISBN
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Illustration des Neuf Preux, parchment 209 f., in Th. de Saluces, Le Chevalier errant, Manuscrits français 12559, folio 125, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris, ca. 1403-1404.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1"., pp. 462-463.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Further reading
- Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".