{"product_id":"ferdinand-i-seal-as-king-of-the-romans-06328","title":"Ferdinand I - Seal as King of the Romans - 1531 - Historical Wax Seal Stamp","description":"\u003cp\u003eFerdinand I, Great Seal as King of the Romans - 1531 - Historical Wax Seal Stamp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWax seal stamp based on the Great Seal of Ferdinand I as King of the Romans, dating from 1531 and representing one of the most elaborate examples of early 16th-century Habsburg heraldry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFerdinand was born in 1503, the younger brother of Charles V and a member of the House of Habsburg. He became ruler of the Austrian hereditary lands during the 1520s and subsequently acquired the crowns of Hungary and Bohemia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn January 1531 Ferdinand was elected King of the Romans, traditionally the title held by the elected successor to the Holy Roman Emperor. He was crowned at Aachen shortly afterwards and remained King of the Romans for more than two decades before succeeding his brother.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Great Seal was introduced in 1531 to represent Ferdinand in his new royal capacity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the centre of the design is a single-headed eagle, an important distinction from the double-headed eagle used on Ferdinand’s later imperial seals. The single-headed eagle represented his status as King of the Romans rather than emperor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpon the eagle’s breast is a heraldic shield incorporating the arms of Austria and Castile, surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe central composition is supported by two griffins and surmounted by a royal crown. Around it is an elaborate arrangement of crowned shields representing Ferdinand’s numerous kingdoms, duchies and hereditary territories, including Hungary, Bohemia, Croatia, Austria, Styria, Carniola, Tyrol, Burgundy, Slavonia and Dalmatia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resulting design combines Ferdinand’s personal Habsburg identity with the extensive collection of territories over which he exercised authority. It is an excellent example of Renaissance royal heraldry, where a single seal could communicate an entire network of titles and dynastic possessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original Great Seal was substantially larger than an ordinary personal seal and was intended for important official documents. This 50 mm reproduction adapts the central heraldic composition into a practical wax seal stamp while preserving the principal features of the historic design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeal Legend:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFERDINANDVS DEI GRACIA ROMANORVM HVNGARIAE ET BOEMIAE ETC REX ARCHIDVX AVSTRIAE DVX BVRGVNDIAE COMES TYROL\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpanded Latin:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFerdinandus Dei gratia Romanorum, Hungariae et Bohemiae etc. Rex, Archidux Austriae, Dux Burgundiae, Comes Tyrolis etc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Ferdinand, by the grace of God, King of the Romans, Hungary and Bohemia, etc.; Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Count of Tyrol,.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesign: Great Seal of Ferdinand I\u003cbr\u003e\nPerson: Ferdinand I\u003cbr\u003e\nDynasty: House of Habsburg\u003cbr\u003e\nDate: 1531\u003cbr\u003e\nTitle: King of the Romans\u003cbr\u003e\nPeriod: 16th-century Central Europe\u003cbr\u003e\nSymbol: Single-headed royal eagle\u003cbr\u003e\nSupporters: Two griffins\u003cbr\u003e\nOrder: Order of the Golden Fleece\u003cbr\u003e\nStamp Size: 50 mm\u003cbr\u003e\nMaterial: Solid brass\u003cbr\u003e\nType: Wax seal stamp \/ sealing stamp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach stamp is made of solid brass, supplied with a handle, and presented in a velvet pouch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for letters, envelopes, historical collections, Renaissance displays, heraldry collections, genealogy projects, traditional stationery and decorative sealing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Fiat iustitia aut pereat mundus.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Let justice be done, though the world perish.” — Motto of Ferdinand I\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"NobleSeals","offers":[{"title":"50 mm","offer_id":58073747226964,"sku":"HIS-HRE-1531-FERDINAND-1-O-50MM","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0927\/6352\/1364\/files\/il_fullxfull.8644993520_f4d4_5a194ffc-f330-446a-ba23-70048c317639.jpg?v=1793556701","url":"https:\/\/nobleseals.co.uk\/de\/products\/ferdinand-i-seal-as-king-of-the-romans-06328","provider":"NobleSeals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}