The Coat of Arms of Ingolstadt

History of Ingolstadt

        Original meaning of the city’s name: Stätte des Ingold (= place of Ingold) Ingolstadt was probably a ducal possession in the 8th century.

Since 806 Ingolstadt was a Carolingian property.

841: Ludwig the German gave Ingolstadt to his chancellor, Abbot Gozbald of

Niederaltaich

as a present, who transferred the property to his monastery.

The large area of Ingolstadt included two churches: Feldkirchener Kirchlein and St.

Moritz.

1242: Following the death of the last Count of Bogen the right of administration of Ingolstadt went to the Bavarian duke.

Ingolstadt was made a city by the Bavarian duke a short time after 1242.

In the middle of the 13th century Niederaltaich lost its influence on the events in Ingolstadt.

The Coat of Arms in the Course of Time

•

Until 1309

: Only Saint Mauritius is on the coat of arms. Because Saint Mauritius was the patron saint of the monastery he symbolised that Ingolstadt was a possession of the abbey. On the seal of Ingolstadt from 1294 Saint Mauritius is pictured wearing a long service cloak, in his right hand a raised sword and the left hand grasping the rope around his waist. Framing him are the words: “Sanctus Mauritius”.

•

Since 1314

: Saint Mauritius holds a shield with a panther on it in his hand.

•

Since 1347

: Saint Mauritius has disappeared from the coat of arms and only the panther is left.

Saint Mauritius

A Possession of the Monastery Niederaltaich

• Ingolstadt has the same seal as the monastery Niederaltaich, which was the biggest landowner and church owner in Ingolstadt during the Middle Ages. • On the monastery’s seal Saint Mauritius has a shield and a banner in his hands. On both you can see the panther.

• A seal of Ingolstadt from the year 1314 is identical to that of the monastery.

Monastery Niederaltaich

Why the Panther Appeared?

Legend tells us, that Ludwig the Bavarian conferred the banner with the white panther in a green field on the people of Ingolstadt for their bravery in the battle of 1313. The reality is different: • 1310: Partition of Bavaria: - Ludwig the Bavarian received the north-western part of Bavaria with Ingolstadt. - His brother Rudolf received the south-eastern part of Bavaria with Munich.

• Since a part of the Palatinate was kept from Ludwig, he demanded Lower Bavaria in compensation, because it was not included in the partition. • Many towns of Lower Bavaria had the panther on their coats of arms. • Ludwig gave the panther as the coat of arms to his capital Ingolstadt, to emphasise that Lower Bavaria belonged to his realm.

The panther looks rather like a lion, because the people in the Middle Ages had no exact imagination of a panther. It was seen as a fabulous beast with mystic or symbolic meaning: • •

View of the panther in the Middle Age:

- The panther fights against the dragon and after having eaten his full, he rests three days without eating in his cave. - After awakening, he exudes a pleasant smell and his refined voice attracts all animals.

Interpretation:

- The Panther corresponds to Jesus (who rises from the dead three days after his crucifixion and attracts his followers).

- The dragon corresponds to Satan.

• The frightening animal should show the bravery of the one who carries the coat of arms.

Heckner, Buchner, Gumprecht, Schmidt