Društvo Slovenski Dom - Toronto - Slovenian Home Association

The most frequently get two questions I get when I mention "Slovenian Heraldry". What is heraldry? There is Slovenian heraldry? This may sound completely incongruent with respect to an earlier subject on "Slovenian Heritage".  In general, most Slovenians (both within Slovenia and external) have little or no idea about the history of Slovenian heraldry.  Obviously, there isn't much in terms of specifically "Slovenian heraldry", but the region of Slovenia for hundreds of years has enjoyed quite a colourful and long history of heraldry.

I think the important thing to do, is to begin with a definition of what is heraldry.  Heraldry is a branch of knowledge and ancient practice dealing with the history and description in proper terms of armorial bearings and their accessories.  What are armorial bearings?  The common vernacular is "coat of arms" and sometimes referred to incorrectly as a "crest". Heraldry has experienced a resurgence in popularity in many countries, including the Commonwealth nations such as Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, as well as European nations such as Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, and to add, other nations such as Brasil, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the United States. Slovenia's heraldic activities includes the recently formed "Komisija za presojo javnih simbolov, grbov, zastav, pečatov, žigov in štampiljk" (Commission for Public Symbol, Coat of Arms, Flag, Seal and Stamp Judgment) which is operating under The Archives of the Republic of Slovenia, and I am an Associate Member of. The heraldic rules of the ownership and transference of a coat of arms, and or assuming arms vary across different countries, whereby some countries may possess an authority or registrar which has been conveyed the authority to grant and/or register arms by that nation's sovereign or government. Other nations, such as the European nations and others, possess registrars in which the coats of arms are registered and/or archived in those acknowleged bodies, although, not necessarily officially recognized by that nation's sovereign or government.

Canada's practice of heraldry is vibrant and continues to evolve, adopting new symbolism originating from First Nations, West Coast Native peoples and the Inuit. Canada's heraldry practices have embraced other nations' symbolism including the Chinese, Polish and German symbolism, given such cultures reside in Canada. The practice of heraldry in Canada is promoted and encouraged by the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada (www.heraldry.ca), a Society established in 1966 with almost 500 members, and who was instrumental in having established Canada's own heraldic authority, the Canadian Heraldic Authority in 1988, which is part of the Governor General's office in Ottawa.

Heraldry had played a significant role in the history of Slovenia. For example, in what was known as Kärnten (Carinthia), Goerz, Steiremark (Styria) and Krain (Carniola) - regions which encompass much of what Slovenia is today, the famous peacock - feathered crest adorned the helm worn by Leopold VI of Babenberg (c 1230) is visible in artifacts from that period including the royal seals. He was Duke of Styria in 1195, and from 1198, the Duke of Austria. The adorned helm with peacock feathers continued with Ulrich III of Kärnten (Carinthia), where in 1256, he had adopted his father's ducal shield adorned with a heraldic beast which may be a stylized "panther" and remained the heraldic beast until his death in 1269. In addition to the same heraldic beast, Ulrich's seal of the same year of his death depicts him on horseback also sporting a tuft of peacock feathers extending from his helmet. A depiction of Count Frederik II of Celje in a jousting tournament is illustrated in the Chronik des Constanzer Concils (1414-1418) where the arms and armour illustrate the classic elements found in heraldic achievements. The knights are shown sporting decorative crests on their helmets which found their way into heraldic renderings of coats of arms. They also wear their coats of arms (shield only) displayed on what may appear as ailiettes on their shoulders. However, there is a possibility of artist's liberty in the rendering of the tournament, in that each knight is illustrated with a single "aillette", meaning the object must be a shield. To add to the confusion, if this object is indeed a shield, then it is the wrong type of shield for a jousting match, as the shield would've normally be the tournament shield, with a notch on it to serve as a lance rest. The owner's arms are also displayed as well on the horses' caparsions and their crinet (part of their bard), at the minimum, the tinctures of their coat of arms.

The closest thing to the existence of a "herald" at that period is the roll of arms in the book entitled "Heraldic Insignia and Devices" or "Opus Insignium Armorumque" containing an archive of 2041 superb paintings of coats of arms symbolizing the notable families in the regions of Slovenia and Austria. The arms were originally sketched by Janez Valvasor, and later painted by the heraldic artist Bartholomaeus Ramschisslu, creating this magnificent book around 1688. It would be fascinating for everyone interested in the history of Slovenia to read up on this notable historical figure.

I would like to personally invite people to consider joining a project which involves the establishment of a Slovenian Branch of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada.  I have already created a website which I am using to promote this concept to Slovenians (family, friends and colleagues) located at slovenija.heraldry.ca.  In order to establish an official Branch of the Society, it requires a minimum of five currently active members of the Society. At this time, there is a Vice President, Branka Lapanje.  She is now a member of the Society and one of the founding members of the Branch.  I think it would be great to promote this part of Slovenian heritage amongst Canadian-Slovenians and it would be also a great opportunity to learn more about the history of Slovenia through a highly visual approach of heraldry.