Wesel

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WESEL

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Wesel (until 1974 Rees)
Additions : 1969 Flüren, Obrighoven-Lackhausen, 1975 Bislich, Büderich (1850 Ginderich), Diersfordt

Official blazon

(de)

Origin/meaning

The arms are mainly canting (Wesel = weasel).

A weasel already appears on the first known seal, which dates from the early 13^th century. The main image of the seal shows a gate with Emperor Heinrich VII and Count Theodor of Kleve. Under the gate the weasel is seen. In 1269 on a smaller seal only the weasel appears. Both the large and smaller seals remain similar until the 16^th century. In the 14^th century arms with three weasels are mentioned (these never appeared on the seals). Around 1600 the weasels are placed on the original arms of the counts of Kleve.