Why do both Denmark and Norway have lions in their national coats of arms?<\/p>\n
And how did the lions appear in the shared royal coat of arms over the centuries leading up to 1814, during the period when Denmark and Norway were in union?<\/p>\n
We will get the answers when two of the Nordic region\u2019s leading experts on heraldry meet at Lysebu to share the fascinating story of Danish and Norwegian heraldry, with perspectives on cultural history. Through visual presentations, we will get a close look at the heraldic details and the historical changes in the coats of arms.<\/p>\n
Historian Nils G. Bartholdy explains how the royal coat of arms functions as a living heraldic archive of Danish history. The royal arms were not merely decorative symbols, but expressions of legal and political power that clearly showed which realms and titles the king in Copenhagen claimed. This is the story of how power relations, wars, and alliances were literally painted into the kings\u2019 shields. Bartholdy takes us on a compelling journey through four centuries during which Denmark and Norway shared a king, a coat of arms, and a common fate.<\/p>\n
Historian Knut Johannessen tells the story of the Norwegian lion, from its emergence as a royal symbol in the 13th century up to the present day. He traces the long lines through centuries of unions, where the lion continually had to find its place alongside Danish and Swedish symbols. The lion played a central role in the political power struggles surrounding 1814 and 1905. The motif\u2019s rich history is reflected in everything from coins, stamps, and church interiors to military uniforms, folk art, and modern digital design.<\/p>\n
After the two lectures, there will be an opportunity to ask questions.<\/p>\n
About the speakers:
\nNils G. Bartholdy is a Danish historian, archivist, and heraldist, and the author of, among other works, \u201cThe Danish Royal Coat of Arms from the Valdemars to Frederik VI.\u201d He is a former archivist at the Danish National Archives and is now retired.<\/p>\n
Knut Johannessen is a Norwegian historian, archivist, and heraldist, and the author of \u201cThe History of the Norwegian Lion.\u201d He is a former assistant director at the National Archives of Norway and is now retired.<\/p>\n