Heraldic Devices from Lorenz Fries' Chronik

Lorenz Fries compiled his chronicle of the bishops of Würtzburg in the first half of the 16th century C.E. The manuscript from which the below images come was one of the earliest made using his text. It was commissioned in 1574, and, while never fully completed, was in everyday use by the end of the century. The events recorded begin in the 7th century C.E. and end in the 15th.

Starting with Megingoz (who served from 753 to 758 or 759), the appointment of each new bishop is marked in the text with a trio of heraldic achievements that stretch across the page, like this:

The outer two are always the same. The center varies and has some relation to the bishop's identity. (They are not the bishops' personal arms. Where I could establish a connection, they appear to be arms associated in the 16th century with the families or geographic areas from which the bishops came.) The overwhelming majority of the heraldic devices appearing in the text are seen in this context. Most of the remainder are parts of illustrated scenes.

You can view any of these devices in their original context by clicking on them. If it is listed as being seen on more than one folio, your click will take you to the first mentioned. You can also browse the online version of the manuscript page by page, or visit any individual folio there by putting its number into the "Folio-Suche nach Nummer" field and clicking "Suchen". Information about the manuscript is available on the site, in German. Some English-language info is offered on the Würtzburg University website, where a DVD version of the manuscript is sold.

I have blazoned the devices as best I can, to make it easier for those who might wish to do so to find specific elements. There are some charges I don't know how to blazon, and have simply described in plain English.

Any herald who can help me correct errors or fill in missing info is encouraged to contact me for the purpose.

armory	folio(s) in which it appears, comments
Quarterly, the first and fourth azure, three fleurs-de-lys Or, the second per fess indented gules and argent, the third Or, a lion rampant to sinister gules.	12r The device in the second quarter of this device appears in folios 75r, 93r, and 498r, as part of an achievement in folio 19r and many others, and in the first and fourth quarters of marshaled devices appearing in folios 150r and 451r. This shield appears in a scene, at the foot of an occupied throne. There is another throne in the scene, with its own shield. This shield and its throne sits to the left of the others.
Quarterly, the first and fourth Or, a double-headed eagle sable, the second azure, three fleurs-de-lys Or, the third Or, a lion rampant to sinister gules.	12r The device in the first and fourth quarters also appears alone in folio 93r and 243r. A similar device, but uncolored, appears in folio196v. This shield appears in a scene, at the foot of an occupied throne. There is another throne in the scene, with its own shield. This shield and its throne sit to the right of the other. The figure on the throne may be Charles the Great.
Per fess indented gules and argent.	19r, 23r, 29r, 37r, 38v, 42r, 47r, 55v, 57r, 59v, 63r, 66r, 71v, 92r, 96v, 100v, 112r, 113v, 118v, 121r, 130r, 217r, 139v, 142v, 144v, 147v, 154v, 160r, 163r, 164v, 174r, 177v, 184v, 186r, 200v, 206r, 209r, 211v, 226v, 237r, 244v, 248r, 254r, 256v, 267v, 271r, 285v, 291v, 318v, 330v, 369v, 423r, 452r, 457v, and 503v Also 157r, but with a medallion around the helm's neck. The device alone also appears in folios 75r, 93r, and 498r, in the second quarter of a marshaled device appearing in folio 12r, and in the first and fourth quarters of marshaled devices appearing in folios 150r and 451r. This achievement always appears as the leftmost in a row of three. This device is somehow associated with the city of Würtzburg and its environs and rulers. I'm not sure exactly who held it at the time the chronicle was written.
Azure, a lion's head caboshed biting the top of a chevron Or.	19r, 66r, 71v, and 113v This achievement always appears as the center in a row of three. This device is very similar to that of Stift Comberg. The bishops whose tenures are marked with this achievement are Megingoz, Bernward, Heinrich I, and Emehard / Ainhart.
Azure, a banner quarterly argent and gules mounted on a spear.	19r, 23r, 29r, 37r, 38v, 42r, 47r, 55v, 57r, 59v, 63r, 66r, 71v, 92r, 96v, 100v, 112r, 113v, 118v, 121r, 130r, 217r, 139v, 142v, 144v, 147v, 154v, 157r, 160r, 163r, 164v, 174r, 177v, 184v, 186r, 200v, 206r, 209r, 211v, 226v, 237r, 244v, 248r, 254r, 256v, 267v, 271r, 285v, 291v, 318v, 330v, 369v, 423r, 452r, 457v, and 503v This device also appears as the second and third quarters of marshaled devices appearing in folio 150r. This achievement always appears as the rightmost in a row of three. This device is somehow associated with Würtzburg and its environs and rulers. I'm not sure exactly who held it when the chronicle was written. Siebemacher lists it as the arms of Würtzburg itself.
	21r, 23r, 29r, 37r, 38v, 42r, 47r, and 139v This achievement appears, but with a colored helm, in folio 118v and a few others. A similar achievement, but colored , appears in folio 51v and a number of others and with a medallion around the helm's neck in folio 157r. This seems simply to be a "blank" that hasn't been filled in, but as it is grouped with completely painted achievements, I'm not sure whether it has some significance. It marks the tenures as bishop of Berowelf, Liutrit, Wolfger, Hunbert, Gozbald, Arn, Rathulf / Rudolf I., and Siegfried von Truhendingen. All these save the last served in the 10th century or before, and the last in the 12th. This achievement always appears as the center in a row of three.
Argent, an armed and armored knight bearing a guidon and shield. The guidon and the knight's breastplate are both marked with a torteau charged with a cross argent, and the shield is Azure, an eagle argent displayed to sinister.	36r These are the arms of Bamberg, according to the text (and are very similar to the arms shown for Bamberg on the Imperial College of Arms site). This shield appears alone on a right-hand page. The maintained shield appears to bear the arms of von Armansberg.
Argent.	51v, 55v, 92r, 112r, 127r, 144v, 147v, 154v, 164v, 174r, and 184v A similar achievement, but with a medallion around the helm's neck, appears in folio 157r. A similar achievement, but with only the helm colored, appears in folio 118v and a few others. A similar achievement, but uncolored, appears in folio 21r and several others. This achievement marks the tenures as bishop of Dietho / Thioto, Burkhard II, Meginhart I, Meginhart II, Ruger/Rugger, Heinrich II. von Stühlingen, Reginhart von Abenberg, Konrad I. v. Querfurt, Heinrich IV, and Otto I. von Lobdeburg. This achievement always appears as the center in a row of three.
barry, a bend clover-leafy to chief	52v A similar device, but colored, appears as part of an achievement in folio 423r. Those are the arms of Saxony, as pictured on the Imperial College of Heraldry site. As the caption for this illustration refers to Heinrich of Saxony, it is likely that the same are represented here. This shield appears in a scene, at the bottom of an occupied throne. I'm not sure whether the lion is really a heraldic supporter, per se, or just a fanciful element. It 's facing away from the throne. The entire scene is uncolored.
Or, a cock on a mount sable.	57r   The same device appears as part of achievements with slightly different crests in folios 59v and 209r, alone in folio 188v, and as the third quarter of a marshaled device in folio 188v. A mirror version of this device appears as part of an achievment in folio 142v, as the second quarter of a marshaled device in folio 188v, and as the first and fourth quarters of a device in folio 188v. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. This device is associated with the grafs of Hennenberg. The bishop whose tenure it marks here is Poppo I.
Or, a cock on a mount sable.	59v The same device appears as part of achievements with slightly different crests in folios 57r and 209r, alone in folio 188v, and as the third quarter of a marshaled device in folio 188v. A mirror version of this device appears as part of an achievment in folio 142v, as the second quarter of a marshaled device in folio 188v, and as the first and fourth quarters of a device in folio 188v. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. This device is associated with the grafs of Hennenberg. The bishop whose tenure it marks here is Poppo I.
Quarterly gules and argent.	63r A mirror of this device appears alone on folio 471v. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of the grafs von Castel, and Castel features in the text. The bishop whose tenure they mark here is Hugo.
Azure, two keys in saltire Or.	75r This shield appears in a scene, as the left-hand of a pair at the foot of an occupied throne. Parker indicates these are the arms of the see of Gloucester.
Per fess indented gules and argent.	75r also 93r and 498r, on differently-shaped shields, as part of an achievement on 19r and many other folios, in the second quarter of a marshaled device appearing in folio 12r, and in the first and fourth quarters of marshaled devices appearing in folios 150r and 451r. This shield appears in a scene, as the right-hand of a pair at the foot of an occupied throne.
Azure, a dexter arm vested gules and wreathed with a crown Or.	88v This shield appears alone on a left-hand page.
Or, a double-headed eagle sable.	93r, 243r This device also appears as the first and fourth quarters of a marshaled device in folio 12r. This shield appears as part of a scene, as the left-hand of a pair at the foot of an occupied throne. I don't know whether the boy has heraldic significance or is just there to explain why the shield doesn't fall over. These are the arms of the Holy Roman Empire, as pictured on the Imperial College of Heraldry site.
Per fess indented gules and argent.	93r, 498r also 75r, on a differently-shaped shield, as part of an achievement on 19r and many other folios, in the second quarter of a marshaled device appearing in folio 12r, and in the first and fourth quarters of marshaled devices appearing in folios 150r and 451r. This shield appears as part of a scene, as the right-hand of a pair at the foot of an occupied throne. I don't know whether the boy has heraldic significance or is just there to explain why the shield doesn't fall over.
	96v This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. The other two are fully colored. The bishop whose tenure is marked here is Bruno.
an eagle	100v A similar device, but colored, appears in folio 160r. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. The other two are fully colored. The bishop whose tenure is marked here is Adalbero.
	118v, 121r, 130r, and 271r This achievement appears, but with an uncolored helm, in folio 21r and a few others. A similar achievement, but fully colored , appears in folio 51v and a number of others and with a medallion around the helm's neck in folio 157r. The bishops whose tenures are marked with this achievement are Ruprecht / Rupert, Erlung, Embricho, and Albrecht II. von Hohenlohe. They all served in the 12th century or before, except the last of them, who served in the 14th. This achievement always appears as the center in a row of three. The other two are in all cases fully colored.
Or, a lion rampant to sinister sable.	131v A mirror image of this device, with the addition of a bend, appears in folio 498r. This shield is carried in a hearse.
Sable, a fess argent.	134r This shield appears at the bottom center of a scene. These are the arms of von Diemar as well as von Ehenheim.
Or, a cock close to sinister on a mount sable.	142v Mirror versions of this device, with different crests, appear in folios 57r, 59v, and 209r. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. The mirror of this device is associated with the grafs of Hennenberg, and it is the tenure as bishop of Gebhart von Henneberg that it marks here.
Quarterly per fess indented gules and argent and azure, a banner quarterly argent and gules mounted on a spear.	150r The device in the first and fourth quarters appears alone in folios 75r and 93r, in the first and fourth quarters of a marshaled device appearing in folio 451r, and as part of an achievement in 19r and many other folios. The device in the second and third quarters appears alone in folio 19r and many others. This shield appears twice in the same scene, at the feet of two occupied thrones. This image is the left-hand; the right-hand device is identical but the shield is tilted in the opposite direction. These are the arms of the diocese of Würtzburg.
Per fess indented gules and argent.	157r also 19r and many other folios, but without the medallion around the helm's neck The device alone also appears in folios 75r, 93r, and 498r, in the second quarter of a marshaled device appearing in folio 12r, and in the first and fourth quarters of marshaled devices appearing in folios 150r and 451r. This achievement appears as the leftmost in a row of three.
Argent.	157r also 51v and a number of other folios, but without the medallion around the helm's neck. A similar achievement, but with only the helm colored and without the medallion, appears in folio 118v and a few others. A similar achievement, but uncolored and without the medallion, appears in folio 21r and a few others. It is the 12th-century tenure as bishop of Gottfried I. von Spitzenberg-Helfenstein that is marked here. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three.
Azure, an eagle displayed Or.	160r A similar device, but uncolored, appears in folio 100v. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of von Germershein and Ottman? von Dattenburg. The bishop whose tenure they mark here is Heinrich III. von Berg.
Argent, two lions passant sable.	163r, 244v, 267v This achievement always appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of von Hohenlohe., and they mark the tenures as bishop of Gottfried II., Gottfried III. von Hohenlohe, and Albrecht I. von Hohenberg.
Gules, a winged fish argent.	177v, 186r This achievement always appears as the center in a row of three. The tenures of Otto I. von Lobdeburg and Hermann I. von Lobdeburg are marked with this achievement.
Argent, two palettes gules.	186v Similar devices, but uncolored, appear in folios 206r and 509r. This achievement stands alone on a left-hand page. These are the arms of the grafs von Trimberg, according to the text.
Quarterly, the first and fourth gules, a column azure crowned Or, the second Or, a cock close to sinister on a mount sable, the third Or, a cock on a mount sable.	188v The device in the second quarter appears as part of an achievement in folio 142v, and as the first and fourth quarters of another marshaled device in folio 188v. The device in the third quarter appears as part of achievements in folio 57r and a few others and alone in folio 188v. This shield appears as the leftmost in a row of three. These are the arms of the grafs of Hennenberg in Römhild, and "Graue Bop von Henneberg" features in the caption.
Or, a cock on a mount sable.	188v This device appears in the third quarter of a marshaled device in folio 188v and as part of achievements in folios 57r, 59v, and 209r. A mirror version of this device appears as part of an achievement in folio 142v and a few others, as the second quarter of another device in folio 188v, and as the first and fourth quarters of a third device in folio 188v. This shield appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of the grafs of Hennenberg, and "Graue Bop von Henneberg" features in the caption.
Quarterly Or, a cock close to sinister on a mount sable and per fess azure, a double-headed demi-eagle displayed sable issuing and checky gules and argent.	188v The device in the first and fourth quarters appears s part of an achievement in folio 142v, and as the second quarter of another marshaled device in folio 188v. This shield appears as the rightmost in a row of three. These are the arms of the grafs of Hennenberg in Schleusingen, and "Graue Bop von Henneberg" features in the caption.
a double-headed eagle displayed	196v A device similar to this, but colored, appears alone in folios 93r and 243r and in the first and fourth quarters of a marshaled device in folio 12r. This shield appears in a scene, as the left-hand of a pair at the foot of an occupied throne. The entire scene is uncolored.
a lion rampant	196v A device similar to this, but colored, appears in the first and fourth quarters of a marshaled device in folio 243r. Mirror versions of this device, but colored, appear alone in folio 131v and as the third quarters of marshaled devices in folio 12r. This shield appears in a scene, as the right-hand of a pair at the foot of an occupied throne. The entire scene is uncolored.
Per fess Or, a lion passant sable, and gules, a stag's tine argent.	200v This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of von Reinstein, and it is Iring von Reinstein-Homburg whose tenure as bishop is marked with them.
two pallettes	206r This achievement, but with an uncolored helm, appears in folio 509r. A similar device, but colored, appears in folio 186v. Those are the arms of von Trimberg, and it is the tenure as bishop of Poppo III. von Trimberg that is marked here, so this is likely intended to be the same. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. The other two are fully colored.
Or, a cock on a mount sable.	209r The same device appears as part of achievements with slightly different crests in folios 57r and 59v, alone in folio 188v, and as the third quarter of a marshaled device in folio 188v. A mirror version of this device appears as part of an achievement in folio 142v, as the second quarter of a device in folio 188v, and as the first and fourth quarters of a device in folio 188v. This achievement appears as the center of a row of three. This device is associated with the grafs of Hennenberg. It is Berthold I. von Henneberg whose tenure as bishop is marked with it here.
Azure, a bend sinister argent.	211v This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. It is the tenure as bishop of Berthold II. von Sternberg that is marked with this achievement.
	226v This achievement appears as the center in a group of three. The other two are fully colored. It is the tenure as bishop of Manegold von Neuenburg that is marked with this achievement.
Argent, a bend gules.	237r This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. It is the tenure as bishop of Andreas von Gundelfingen that is marked with this achievement.
Or, a double-headed eagle displayed sable.	243r , 93r This device also appears as the first and fourth quarters of a marshaled device in folio 12r. A similar device, but uncolored, appears in folio 196v. This shield appears as the left-hand of a pair at the foot of an occupied throne. These are the arms of the Holy Roman Empire, as pictured on the Imperial College of Heraldry site.
Quarterly sable, a lion rampant Or, and azure.	243r A device similar to that in the first and fourth quarter, but uncolored, appears in folio 196v. The device in the second and third quarters may be that associated with the state of Bavaria. This shield appears as the right-hand of a pair at the foot of an occupied throne.
Or, a Moor passant maintaining in one hand three flowers gules.	248r A similar achievement, but with the maintained charges in a different tincture, appears in folio 256v and one other. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of von Grumbach, and the bishop whose tenure they mark here is Wolfram von Grumbach.
Argent, three torteaus.	254r This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. The bishop whose tenure is marked by this achievement is Hermann II. von Lichtenberg.
Or, a Moor passant maintaining in one hand three flowers Or.	256v, 457v A similar achievement, but with the maintained charges in a different tincture, appears in folio 248r. This achievement always appears as the center in a row of three. If the flowers maintained by the Moor were painted gules, these would be the arms of von Wolfskeel and von Grumbach. The bishops whose tenures they are Otto II. von Wolfskeel and Johann III. von Grumbach.
Per pale barry gules and azure and azure, three flowers gules.	285v This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of von Heßberg, and the bishop whose tenure they mark here is Albrecht III. von Heßberg
Azure, a crowned lion rampant Or.	291v This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of the counts of Schwarzburg, and the bishop whose tenure they mark is Gerhard von Schwarzburg.
Argent, a bear's head couped sable.	318v This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of von Egloffstein, and the bishop whose tenure they mark is Johann I von Egloffstein.
Argent, a fish-hook gules.	330v This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of von Brun, and the bishop whose tenure they mark is Johann II von Brunn.
Quarterly per fess Or, a demi-eagle displayed issuing sable and azure, three flowers argent and barry gules and argent.	369v This shield appears in a scene, at the foot of an occupied throne. This device is associated with the grafs of Wertheim.
Barry Or and sable, a bend clover-leafy to chief vert.	423r A similar device, but uncolored, appears in folio 52v. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of Saxony (Sachsen, in German), as pictured on the Imperial College of Heraldry site, and the bishop whose tenure they mark here is Sigmund von Sachsen.
Quarterly per fess indented gules and argent and azure, five baker's peels argent.	451r The device in the first and fourth quarters appears in folios 75r, 93r, and 498r, as part of an achievement on 19r and in many other folios, in the second quarter of a marshaled device appearing in folio 12r, and in the first and fourth quarters of marshaled devices appearing in folio 150r. This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of Schenk von Limperg, and the bishop whose tenure they mark is Gottfried IV Schenk von Limpurg.
Quarterly argent and gules.	471v A mirror of this device appears as part of an achievement in folio 63r. This shield appears in a scene, at the foot of an occupied throne. These are the arms of von Wakerbrodt, but the mirror is the arms of the grafs von Castel and Castel is mentioned in the caption for this illustration.
Per fess indented gules and argent.	498r , 93r This device also appears alone on a differently-shaped shield in folio 75r, as part of an achievement on 19r and many other folios, in the second quarter of a marshaled device in folio 12r, and in the first and fourth quarters of marshaled devices in folios 150r and 451r. This shield appears in a scene, at the foot of a bishop. There are two other bishops in the scene, each with a shield at his feet. This is the leftmost of the three.
Or, a lion rampant sable, a bend argent.	498r A mirror image of this device, minus the bend, appears in folio 131v. This shield appears in a scene, at the foot of a bishop. There are two other bishops in the scene, each with a shield at his feet. This is the center of the three. These are the arms of the diocese of Bamberg, and the bishop of Bamberg is mentioned in the text on this page.
Gules, a crozier Or.	498r This shield appears in a scene, at the foot of a bishop. There are two other bishops in the scene, each with a shield at his feet. This is the rightmost of the three. These appear to be the arms of the diocese of Eichstatt.
Or, a pair of scissors expanded points to chief gules.	503v This achievement appears as the center in a row of three. These are the arms of von Scherenberg, and the bishop whose tenure they mark is Rudolf II von Scherenberg.
two pallettes	509r This achievement, but with a colored helm, appears in folio 206r. A similar device, but colored, appears in folio 186v. This achievement appears as the left-hand in a pair. Neither is colored.
two bendlets of lozenges conjoined	509r This achievement appears as the right-hand in a pair. Neither is colored. With the right combination of tinctures, these would be the arms of von Bickenbach. Since the Bickenbach family is mentioned in the heading above this image, that is almost certainly what they were intended to be.

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