Aalst (Oost-Vlaanderen)

Belgium heraldry portal

This page is part of the Belgium heraldry portal	Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry: National arms of Belgium Arms of provinces and communities Arms of cities and towns Heraldic literature of Belgium Total pages in the Belgium section : 6,282 of which images : 5,065	Other heraldry: Ecclesiastical heraldry Military heraldry Educational heraldry Institutional heraldry Corporate heraldry Collector's items Heraldic postcards Heraldic stamps Personal arms

AALST

Province : Oost-Vlaanderen
Additions : 1976 Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade bij Aalst, Meldert bij Aalst, Moorsel, Nieuwerkerken

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted in 1819 and confirmed on February 6, 1841.

The oldest seals of Aalst, known from the 13th and 14th centuries showed a knight, holding a sword in one hand and the banner of Vlaanderen in the other. A seal from 1407 also adds a small shield with the arms of Vlaanderen.

The above arms were first shown in the roll of arms of Gaillard from 1557. The sword is probably taken from the original knight. The two shields show the Imperial eagle and the lion of Vlaanderen, indicating that Aalst was part of Vlaanderen, which was in turn part of the Holy Roman Empire. The arms granted in 1819 are identical to those mentioned by Gaillard.