Nałęcz coat of arms


Nałęcz is a Polish coat of arms. It was used by associated szlachta families in the Kingdom of Poland, and Kingdom of Poland and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

History

Nałęcz is a Polish coat of arms from the 12th century that represented unity and harmony. It was used by the Gembiccy, Ostrorogowie, Szamotulscy, Chełmicki, Czarnkowscy, Slizewicz, Raczyńscy, Dworniccy, Sadowski, Łowińscy, and other families. It is traditionally described as a silver shawl, tied, on a red background. Most versions had the shawl tied downwards; some were tied upwards. Earlier versions and some modern ones depict the shawl untied. The shawl is similar in shape to the Teutonic image of Rune Othila, the Rune of a Fatherland.
The Nałęcz arms were initially connected with Greater Poland. The Nałęcze were accused of murdering Przemysł II in 1296. They also allied with Brandenburg against Władysław I Łokietek, and after the death of Louis I of Hungary waged war against the Grzymalites, attempting to put Ziemowit III of Masovia forcibly on the throne of Poland.
The best-known Poles who bore these arms were Joseph Conrad and Sędziwój Ostroróg.
A Nałęcz relief is on the Guard House building in Poznań.

Blazon

In heraldic English, the shield may be blazoned: Gules the Nałęcz shawl circled and knotted Argent.

Notable bearers

Notable bearers of this coat of arms have included:
Standard variations
Aristocratic variations
Other