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Historical Flags of Rhineland States (Germany)

Last modified: 2002-03-02 by santiago dotor
Keywords: germany | rhineland | cologne | köln | koeln | koln | mainz | palatinate | rheina-wolbeck | rheine | wolbeck | leyen | croy-dulmen | regensburg | westphalia: kingdom | isenburg | wied |
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Introduction

Most of the information concerning the Napoleonic era is based on articles by Dr. Günter Mattern published in The Flag Bulletin for 1976, 1982 and 1983.

Norman Martin, April 1998

Since the French revolutionaries did not accept the agreements of the French kings concerning these territories, starting in the early 1790s these were seized. Since the annexation by France was a step by step process, I am not concerned with the uncertainties in the 1790s and immediately thereafter; in any, event, from 1793 on the French had de facto control.

Norman Martin, 21 July 2000

With respect to Cologne, Mainz and Trier, the flags I cited were those of the electors (who were the prince bishops). I don't know if the Imperial Cities had flags during this period, but if they did, I don't have the data. With regard to Regensburg, despite the attribution, I did not contribute the info. As a matter of fact, all I have on Regensburg is that the bishopric had as coa "gules, a bend argent" (i.e. a white diagonal on a red field). This suggests that the colors of the flag in question might come from the traditional arms of the bishopric, but since it is clearly not the banner of arms, I'd guess that it is a flag of the city, but I do not know Norman Martin.

Norman Martin, 28 February 2002


Archbishopric of Cologne 1475-1794

Erzbistum Kön

[Cologne 1475-1794 (Germany)]
by Jaume Ollé

A black St. George cross on a white flag. In use from 14th century until the late 18th century.

Norman Martin, April 1998

After the Napoleonic era, Cologne became part of Prussia in 1815.

Santiago Dotor, 27 February 2001

Without concrete evidence to the contrary, I find this attribution [to the city of Cologne] doubtful. The traditional colours of the city are red and white. The black cross does however appear in the arms of the archdiocese of Cologne (Erzbistum Köln), see for instance the arms of the present-day Erftkreis County.

Stefan Schwoon, 28 February 2002

Editor's note: see also the nowadays city of Cologne (Stadt Köln).


Archbishopric of Mainz 14th century - 1797

Erzbistum Mainz

[Mainz (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)]
by Jaume Ollé

A white wheel on a red field. In use from 14th century until the late 18th century.

Norman Martin, April 1998

After the Napoleonic era, Mainz became part of Hesse-Darmstadt in 1816.

Santiago Dotor, 27 February 2001

The caption 'Mainz 14th century-1797' does not mention whether the city or the archdiocese is meant (I presume the latter) which may lead to misunderstandings.

Stefan Schwoon, 28 February 2002

Editor's note: see also the nowadays city of Mainz (Stadt Mainz).


Rheina-Wolbeck since 1803

Principality of Rheina-Wolbeck / Fürstentum Rheina-Wolbeck

[Rheina-Wolbeck (Germany)]
by Santiago Dotor

Colors red-yellow. In use during the Napoleonic era. Created 31 January 1803.

Norman Martin, April 1998

From: Brockhaus Kleines Konversations-Lexikon 1914:

A princely state belonging to the [Prussian] provinces Westphalia and Hanover; 556 km² and 30,000 inhabitants. Till 1803 part of the diocese of Münster, then to the family Looz-Corswarem, 1836 by marriage to the Count de Lannoy-Clervaux, who in 1840 was nominated Prince of Rheina-Wolbeck.
Wolbeck is a place southeast of Münster. Rheine were two municipalities left and right of the Ems, with Schloss Bentlage, residence of the Prince of Rheine-Wolbeck — part of the town Rheine. Rheina and Rheine are both used as name of the town.

Jarig Bakker, 19 July 2000

Rheina-Wolbeck was a small principality (Fürstentum) in the western part of the Rhineland. I have not been able to verify its existence except for the turn of the 19th century.

Norman Martin, 19 July 2000

I understand that the Principality of Rheine-Wolbeck passed to Prussia at some point after 1840 and was divided between Provinz Westfalen and Provinz Hannover.

Santiago Dotor, 19 July 2000


Protector of the Rhine Confederation

Rheinbund

[Napoleon's Standard as Protector of the Rhine Confederation (Germany)]
by Jaume Ollé

Rhine Confederation: no Confederate flag. The French flag was used. Napoleon was the Protector and used his personal standard.

Jaume Ollé, 23 August 1998


County of Leyen until 1798

Grafschaft Leyen

[County of Leyen (Germany)]
by Santiago Dotor

Colors blue-white-blue. Probably traditionally in use and certainly used after the arrival of French troops. Use abandoned 16 March 1798, when the county was annexed.

Norman Martin, April 1998


Croy-Dulmen 1803-1806

[Croy-Dulmen 1803-1806 (Germany)]
by Jaume Ollé

Existed between 1803 to 1806. Supposed flag (Flag Bulletin no. 102).

Jaume Ollé, 23 August 1998


Regensburg unidentified flag

[Regensburg unidentified flag (Germany)]
by Santiago Dotor

Five horizontal stripes: red, white, red, white, red.

Jaume Ollé (?), 1998

Regensburg is not in the Rhineland, it is situated on the Danube in Bavaria. Also, the caption does not say whether the flag is attributed to the city or the diocese of Regensburg.

Stefan Schwoon, 28 February 2002

With regard to Regensburg, despite the attribution, I did not contribute the information. As a matter of fact, all I have on Regensburg is that the bishopric had as coat-of-arms Gules, a bend Argent (i.e. a white diagonal on a red field). This suggests that the colors of the flag in question might come from the traditional arms of the bishopric, but since it is clearly not the banner of arms, I'd guess that it is a flag of the city, but I do not know.

Norman Martin, 28 February 2002

Editor's note: see also the nowadays city of Regensburg (Stadt Regensburg).


Kingdom of Westphalia 1807-1813

[Kingdom of Westphalia 1807-1813 (Germany)]      [Kingdom of Westphalia 1807-1813 (Germany), variant]
both by Santiago Dotor

Granted to Jerome Bonaparte. Lucien Philippe gives white over blue flag (1807-1813). Also white over dark red is reported.

Jaume Ollé, 1998


Isenburg

[Isenburg (Germany)]
by Santiago Dotor

Unknown dates. Light blue over yellow.

Jaume Ollé, 1998


Wied 1784-1815

Principality of Wied / Fürstentum Wied

[Principality of Wied 1784-1815 (Germany)]
by Jaume Ollé

Principality created 1784. Transferred to Nassau 1806, and included in the Prussian Rhenish territory in 1815, as a mediated principality. The flag is the Nassau one, with a yellow canton with the dynastic symbol. Reconstructed image.

Jaume Ollé (?), 25 August 1998





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