Heraldry in Sweden Part 2
The format for registering both accession to the nobility and registering of Coats of Arms has been consistent in Sweden since the early 17th century and was based on the system that had prevailed in the middle ages in its general principles. There is no evidence of Coats of Arms being granted to non-nobles in Sweden, except in the case of the Knights of the Order of Seraphim. However, since their knighthood made them of noble rank, although not hereditary nobles, the granting of Coats of Arms in such cases rather than being an exception was a confirmation of the rule. The Knights were unable to pass their Arms to their descendants. Not only does this make it clear that the nature of Heraldry as understood in Sweden is very close to what we see elsewhere in Europe at the time but it is confirmed by the situation that has arisen since 1902. As Sven Hedin, the noted explorer, in that year was the last person to be enobled in Sweden. Since no one has been enobled since 1902 it follows that no new Coats of Arms have been granted in Sweden since this date, unless he were a Knight of the Order of Seraphim.
The result of this is that the present day functions of the Statsheraldiker, apart from dealing with issues regarding existing Arms amongst the nobility of Sweden, is to grant new Coats of Arms only to new Knights of the Seraphim, who since 1975 can only be members of the Swedish Royal Family or foreign heads of state. The Statsheraldiker also registers Coats of Arms to corporations, public communities, towns and counties. With regards to Arms for Corporations and Municipalities the drawings for the proposed Arms are submitted to the government for approval. The Heraldic officers elaborate the blazon of arms and submit the drawings to government. Following approval by the government letters patent signed by the King and countersigned by a cabinet minister are issued. The government also grants military ensigns. In the case of the Coats of Arms for Knights of the Order of the Seraphim ( image below) they are granted by the King as Lord and Master of the Orders of Knighthood. The Royal Order of the Seraphim (Seraphim being a category of Angels) is a Swedish Royal order of chivalry created by King Frederick I of Sweden on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Polar Star. After the reorganization of the orders in 1975 the order is only awarded to foreign heads of state and members of the royal family (the last non-royal Swedish holder was Sten Rudholm).
The result of this is that the present day functions of the Statsheraldiker, apart from dealing with issues regarding existing Arms amongst the nobility of Sweden, is to grant new Coats of Arms only to new Knights of the Seraphim, who since 1975 can only be members of the Swedish Royal Family or foreign heads of state. The Statsheraldiker also registers Coats of Arms to corporations, public communities, towns and counties. With regards to Arms for Corporations and Municipalities the drawings for the proposed Arms are submitted to the government for approval. The Heraldic officers elaborate the blazon of arms and submit the drawings to government. Following approval by the government letters patent signed by the King and countersigned by a cabinet minister are issued. The government also grants military ensigns. In the case of the Coats of Arms for Knights of the Order of the Seraphim ( image below) they are granted by the King as Lord and Master of the Orders of Knighthood. The Royal Order of the Seraphim (Seraphim being a category of Angels) is a Swedish Royal order of chivalry created by King Frederick I of Sweden on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Polar Star. After the reorganization of the orders in 1975 the order is only awarded to foreign heads of state and members of the royal family (the last non-royal Swedish holder was Sten Rudholm).
Unlike other parts of Western Europe, where lines are drawn between the ennobled, the noble, and the ancient noble or gentleman, there are no distinctions between nobility in Sweden. It has been suggested that the need for such distinctions never arose in Sweden because of the firmly organized character of the Swedish House of Nobles, which was able, without difficulty, to estimate the status of any family in the realm. Proof of nobility has never been demanded in the case of Swedish orders of knighthood as they were usually conferred only upon those who could prove a position of nobility equivalent to those in other orders who could prove their noble descent. The Swedish heraldic authorities have always been aware that, beginning with German merchants in the Middle Ages, visitors brought their own Arms with them and used them on their seals. Such uses were not recognized by the state however, and also could have no protection under Swedish law. On August 10th 1762 the King of Sweden issued an edict prohibiting common men to use “ noble arms and open helmet “ and this law is still in effect both in Sweden and neighboring Finland.
