The coat of arms
The coat of arms of Brunant is one of the two national symbols of Brunant, alongside the flag. The current coat of arms has been in use since 1810.
Symbols[]
The lesser coat of arms has three distinct symbols. The black St. Andrew's Cross (saltire) represents Anglophone Brunanters (historically those who came from Scotland and England). The Van Draak dragon represents the Dutch-speaking Brunanters and historically the monarchy. The two Brunanter lions represent the country and its struggles, as well as Brunant's most important folk hero, Gisbert "the Lion" Mengblod.
History[]
Earlier coats of arms[]
The coat of arms of the County of Barzona
The earliest coat of arm of an independent Brunant was the coat of arms of the County of Barzona, which is seen as a predecessor state to the Kingdom of Brunant. The counts of Barzona were loyal to the Crown of Aragon from the Conquest of Brunant in 1244 until the Crisis of 1404, which saw the islands' sovereignty formally acquired by the Republic of Venice. The first Count of Barzona, Antonio Miguel de Larria, adopted a coat of arms resembling the Aragonese coat of arms.
Kingdom of Brunant[]
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One of the earliest coat of arms used in Brunant is the "Lion Shield" (Leeuwenschild), which was unofficially adopted during the War of Independence in 1427-28 as a symbol of Brunant, alongside the tricolor flag. When Leuvis Van Damme became king, he added a gold crown to the arms to symbolize the monarchy. |
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During the period following the Civil War, the coat of arms employed used the Van Draak dragon. In the 18th century, a smaller banner within bearing a black St. Andrews Cross (saltire) was added to symbolize the Scottish and English Brunanters. This was used until 1784, when the Carrington family arms replaced it. It briefly returned to use in 1802 until 1808. |
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The current coat of arms were adopted in 1810 at the suggestion of King Ambroos I and his President Walter van der Ecke. The new arms became more representative of both language groups (Dutch and English), the monarchists and the republicans (though the lion was given a crown). |
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The Greater Arms of Brunant were adopted in 1810 and are an expanded version of the coat of arms. The shield is flanked on both sides by two red dragons. On top, it is crowned with the silver crown. Below the shield appears the motto of Brunant, "Iustitia et Libertas" (Justice and Liberty). |
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The Old Royal Arms were used by the Royal Family from 1810 to 1950. It is a variation of the Greater Arms with a smaller shield and a robe. The royal arms were used for official royal documents, but now, the family uses the Greater Arms instead. |