Below: Coat of Arms | Motto | Historical Titles
The House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen is also known as das Haus von Hohenstaufen-Burgund, la Maison de Bourgogne-Hohenstaufen, a Casa de Borgonha e Hohenstaufen, or la Casa de Borgoña y Hohenstaufen. It is the most senior cadet branch of the House von Hohenstaufen recognized by the House von Hohenstaufen Association. The House is a product of the initial and subsequent joinings of the members of the House von Hohenstaufen with those of the House of Burgundy from France (de Bourgogne), the House of Burgundy from Portugal (de Borgonha), and the Anscarid House of Burgundy from Spain (de Borgoña) and what became known as Franche Comté (de Bourgogne), also known as the House of Ivrea or the House of Burgundy-Ivrea.
This prestigious House has a history dating back nearly a millennium itself, and well over a millennium through the parent houses. The founder of the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen is considered to be Otto, son of Kaiser Friedrich Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire (von Hohenstaufen) and Beatrix I Countess Palatine of Bourgogne (de Bourgogne-Ivrea), as the offspring of the first joining of the House von Hohenstaufen and the House of Bourgogne (Ivrea) through their marriage on 9 June 1156 and as heir to the County Palatine of Bourgogne. The House was founded when he inherited his mother's title (Count Palatine of Bourgogne) upon the death of Friedrich Barbarossa on June 10, 1190. Otto I was also the first to be styled with the rare title of Archcount (Erzgraf or Archicomte), as opposed to the lesser Count Palatine (Pfalzgraf or Freigraf) used by the rulers of the later Franche Comté.
With the extinction of the main line of the House von Hohenstaufen in 1268 with the death of King Konrad II of Sicily (Duke Konrad IV of Swabia, or "Konradin/Conradin"), the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen became the senior cadet branch and heirs to the titles and rank of the House von Hohenstaufen. In addition to direct descent from Archcount Otto I, the members of the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen are direct descendants of Roman-German King Philipp I and King Manfred of Sicily.
Members of the dynasty married into the royal and noble families of a great many of the most prestigious dynasties throughout Europe. They are cousins to varying degrees of the majority of the currently-reigning monarchs of Europe, as well as to the heads of most European noble and royal houses.
The dissolution of monarchies and aristocracies throughout Europe, as well as the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire in the Nineteenth Century and of the German Empire in the Twentieth Century forced many European noble families to adapt to a new way of life. Dynastic identity was no longer tied to land or political power and became more about family history and cultural heritage. The House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen was no different. Most members of the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen left Germany prior to the Second World War. Many found themselves in the United Kingdom and United States of America, and they joined these nations in the war to liberate their beloved Germany from the tyranny of the Nazis. After the war, most members of the family remained in the United States, as did many members of other German noble families who opposed the Axis powers. Wherever members of the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen find themselves, they tirelessly pursue the advancement of the German and German diaspora cultures and heritages.
Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms of the House von Hohenstaufen, from which the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen was formed, are found in the upper right quadrant: three lions on a golden field. The lion in heraldry symbolizes strength, valor, and nobility. The members of the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen are also descended from many other royal and noble houses throughout Europe whose coats of arms contain lions.
The white eagle on a field of red in the upper left quadrant is the coat of arms of the Frankish House de Bourgogne, also known as the House of Ivrea, from which the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen was formed. The House also descends from the Spanish branch of the House of Ivrea, the Casa de Borgoña. An eagle on a red field is also representative of the Roman eagle, which refers to the House's descent from the Caesars, as well as the eagles on the coats of arms of the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily, which were held by the House von Hohenstaufen. The eagle in heraldry is said to represent courage and nobility, and in the case of a displayed eagle, such as this one, the role of protector.
In the lower right quadrant is the coat of arms of the French House de Bourgogne, representing the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen's descent from the French House of Burgundy and the Portuguese branch, the Casa de Borgonha.
The green field containing the gold pegasus is unique to the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen, and does not harken back to any ancestral houses. The pegasus represents inspiration, vision, refinement, and ascension.
The black lions as supporters reference the lions on the Coat of Arms of the House von Hohenstaufen and of Swabia.
In addition to the other symbolism, the tinctures (colors) used in heraldry are also symbolic:
| Black (Sable, Schwarz): |
Constancy, Knowledge, Resilience | ||
| Blue (Azure, Blau): |
Loyalty, Sincerity | ||
| Green (Vert, Grün): |
Beauty, Joy, Loyalty | ||
| Red (Gules, Rot): |
Boldness, Ferocity, Nobility | ||
| White/Silver (Argent, Weiß or Silber): |
Peace, Purity, Sincerity | ||
| Yellow/Gold (Or, Gelb or Gold): |
Generosity, Glory |
House Motto
The motto of the House of Bourgogne von Hohenstaufen is, "Sanguis, Pluma, Saxum" (Latin for "Blood, Feather, Stone").
"Sanguis" refers to family, heritage, lineage, and legacy.
"Pluma" is a reference to a quill (pen), symbolizing education, knowledge, enlightenment, and erudition, as well as to the pegasus and eagle, symbolizing self-improvement, ascension, and nobility.
"Saxum" invokes the Castle Hohenstaufen, Hohenstaufen Mountain, strength, and protection.
Historical Titles
- Holy Roman Emperor - Kaiser des Heiligen Römischen Reiches [Elected Title]
(first held by Kaiser Friedrich I Barbarossa in the year 1155) - King of Burgundy (Arelat) - König von Burgund [Imperial Possession]
(first held by King Konrad III in the year 1138) - King of Germany - König der Römer (Römisch-deutscher König) [Elected Title]
(first held by King Konrad III in the year 1138) - King of Italy - König von Italien [Imperial Possession]
(first held by King Konrad III in the year 1128) - King of Jerusalem - König von Jerusalem
(first held by Kaiser Friedrich II in the year 1225 as co-ruler with his wife, Queen Isabella II, then by King Konrad IV of Germany/II of Jerusalem in 1228) - King of Sardinia - König von Sardinien
(first held by Heinrich (Enzo), illegitimate son of Kaiser Friedrich II, in the year 1238) - King of Sicily - König von Sizilien
(first held by Emperor Heinrich VI in the year 1194 as co-ruler with his wife, Konstanze I, then by Friedrich II in 1198) - King of Tuscany - König der Toskana
(first held by Friedrich of Antioch, illegitimate son of Kaiser Friedrich II, in the year 1246 - though never crowned, he was listed as king in many documents) - Duke of Austria - Herzog von Österreich
(left by Kaiser Friedrich II to his grandson, Friedrich, upon his death in the year 1250) - Duke of Franconia - Herzog von Franken
(first held by Duke Friedrich I in the year 1105) - Duke von Hohenstaufen - Herzog von Hohenstaufen
(first held by Duke Friedrich I in the year 1079) - Duke of Rothenburg - Herzog von Rothenburg
(first held by Duke Friedrich I von Rothenburg/IV von Schwaben in the year 1152) - Duke of Swabia - Herzog von Schwaben
(first held by Duke Friedrich I in the year 1079) - Margrave of Istria - Markgraf von Istrien
(left by Kaiser Friedrich II to his grandson, Friedrich, upon his death in the year 1250) - Margrave of Tuscany - Markgraf der Toskana
(first held by King Philipp in the year 1195) - Archcount of Bourgogne - Erzgraf von Burgund
(first held by Archcount Otto I in the year 1190) - Count Palatine of the Rhine - Pfalzgraf bei Rhein
(first held by Count Palatine Konrad in the year 1156) - Count Palatine of Bourgogne - Pfalzgraf von Burgund
(first held by Kaiser Friedrich I Barbarossa in the year 1156) - Count Palatine of Swabia - Pfalzgraf in Schwaben
(first held by Count Palatine Friedrich, progenitor of the Hohenstaufen, in the year 1053)
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- Pope of the Roman Catholic Church - Papst der Römisch-katholischen Kirche [Elected Title]
(first held by Callixtus II, born Guy de Bourgogne, in the year 1119) - King of Aragon - König von Aragón
(first held by Fernando I de Trastámara in the year 1412) - King of Castile - König von Kastilien
(first held by Alfonso VII in the year 1126) - King of Galicia - König von Galicien
(first held by Alfonso VII in the year 1111) - King of Italy - König von Italien
(first held by Berengar II in the year 950) - King of León - König von León
(first held by Alfonso VII in the year 1126) - King of Naples - König von Neapel
(first held by Alfonso I de Trastámara in the year 1442) - King of Navarra - König von Navarre
(first held by Carlos IV de Trastámara in the year 1441) - Duke of Burgundy - Herzog von Burgund
(first held by Otto Wilhelm in the year 1002) - Duke of Calabria - Herzog von Calabria
(first held by Alfonso II de Trastámara in the year 1458) - Duke of Noto - Herzog von Noto
(first held by Pedro de Trastámara in the year 1424) - Duke of Segorbe - Herzog von Segorbe
(first held by Enrique de Trastámara in the year 1469) - Duke of Spoleto - Herzog von Spoleto
(first held by Anscar II in the year 936) - Margrave of Ivrea - Markgraf von Ivrea
(first held by Anscar I in the year 888) - Count Palatine of Bourgogne - Pfalzgraf/Freigraf von Burgund
(first held by Beatrix I in the year 1156) - Count of Albuquerque - Graf von Albuquerque
(first held by Enrique de Trastámara in the year 1435) - Count of Ampurias - Graf von Ampurias
(first held by Enrique de Trastámara in the year 1436) - Count of Angoulême - Graf von Angoulême
(first held by Carlos de la Cerda in the year 1350) - Count of Auxerre - Graf von Auxerre
(first held by Johann I in the year 1273) - Count of Auxonne - Graf von Auxonne
(first held by Johann I in the year 1237) - Count of Barcelona - Graf von Barcelona
(first held by Fernando I de Trastámara in the year 1412) - Count of Bourgogne - Graf von Burgund
(first held by Otto Wilhelm in the year 982) - Count of Chalon - Graf von Chalon
(first held by Johann I in the year 1237) - Count of Mâcon - Graf von Mâcon
(first held by Otto Wilhelm in the year 982) - Count of Montbéliard - Graf von Mömpelgard
(first held by Reinhold in the year 1282) - Count of Pavia - Graf von Pavia
(first held by Anscar II in the year 924) - Count of Pombia - Graf von Pombia
(first held by Dado in the year 967) - Count of Segorbe - Graf von Segorbe
(first held by Enrique de Trastámara in the year 1436)
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- Emperor of Brazil - Kaiser von Brasilien
(first held by João VI de Bragança in the year 1825) - King of the Algarve - König der Algarve
(first held by Afonso III in the year 1249) - King of the Algarves - König der Algarves
(first held by Afonso V de Avis in the year 1471) - King of Aragón - König von Aragón
(first held by Pedro de Avis in the year 1463) - Queen of Brazil - Königin von Brasilien
(first held by Maria de Bragança in the year 1815) - King of Portugal - König von Portugal
(first held by Afonso I in the year 1139) - King of Silves - König von Silves
(first held by Sancho I in the year 1189) - King of Valencia - König von Valencia
(first held by Pedro de Avis in the year 1463) - Titular King of Thessalonica - Titularkönig von Thessaloniki
(first held by Hugues in the year 1266) - Prince of Brazil - Prinz von Brasilien
(first held by Pedro de Orléans-Bragança in the year 1875) - Princess of Grão Pará - Prinzessin von Grão Pará
(first held by Maria II in the year 1825) - Duke of Barcelos - Herzog von Barcelos
(first held by João I de Bragança in the year 1563) - Duke of Beja - Herzog von Beja
(first held by Fernando de Avis in the year 1442) - Duke of Braganza - Herzog von Braganza
(first held by Afonso de Avis in the year 1433) - Duke of Burgundy - Herzog von Burgund
(first held by Robert I in the year 1032) - Duke of Coimbra - Herzog von Coimbra
(first held by Pedro de Avis in the year 1415) - Duke of Guarda - Herzog von Guarda
(first held by Fernando de Avis in the year 1530) - Duke of Guimarães - Herzog von Guimarães
(first held by Duarte de Avis in the year 1537) - Dauphin of Viennois - Dauphin von Viennois
(first held by Guigues VI in the year 1228) - Duke of Valencia de Campos - Herzog von Valencia de Campos
(first held by João in the year 1387) - Duke of Viseu - Herzog von Viseu
(first held by Henrique de Avis in the year 1415) - Prince of Achaea - Fürst von Achaia
(first held by Louis in the year 1313) - Prince of Antioch - Fürst von Antioch
(first held by João de Avis in the year 1456) - Marquis of Frechilla - Markgraf von Frechilla
(first held by Duarte de Bragança in the year 1583) - Marquis of Montemor-o-Novo - Markgraf von Montemor-o-Novo
(first held by João de Bragança in the year 1471) - Marquis of Valença - Markgraf von Valença
(first held by Afonso de Bragança in the year 1451) - Marquis of Vila Viçosa - Markgraf von Vila Viçosa
(first held by Afonso I de Bragança in the year 1455) - Count of Albon - Graf von Albon
(first held by Guigues VI in the year 1228) - Count of Arraiolos - Graf von Arraiolos
(first held by Fernando I de Bragança in the year 1422) - Count of Artois - Graf von Arois
(first held by Philip in the year 1347) - Count of Auvergne - Graf von Auvergne
(first held by Philip in the year 1360) - Countess of Auxerre - Grafin von Auxerre
(first held by Alix in the year 1262) - Count of Barcelona - Graf von Barcelona
(first held by Pedro de Avis in the year 1463) - Count of Barcelos - Graf von Barcelos
(first held by Pedro Afonso in the year 1314) - Count of Boulogne - Graf von Boulogne
(first held by Philip in the year 1360) - Count of Bourgogne - Graf von Burgund
(first held by Philip in the year 1347) - Count of Briançon - Graf von Briançon
(first held by Guigues VI in the year 1228) - Count of Charolais - Graf von Charolais
(first held by Jean in the year 1248) - Count of Coimbra - Graf von Coimbra
(first held by Henrique in the year 1096) - Count of Embrun - Graf von Embrun
(first held by Guigues VII in the year 1237) - Count of Faro - Graf von Faro
(first held by Afonso de Bragança in the year 1469) - Count of Faucigny - Graf von Faucigny
(first held by Jean I in the year 1269) - Count of Gap - Graf von Gap
(first held by Guigues VII in the year 1237) - Count of Grenoble - Graf von Grenoble
(first held by Guigues VI in the year 1228) - Count of Grignon - Graf von Grignon
(first held by Raimund I in the year 1148) - Countess of Nevers - Grafin von Nevers
(first held by Yolande II in the year 1247) - Count of Neiva - Graf von Neiva
(first held by Fernando I de Bragança in the year 1461) - Count of Oisans - Graf von Oisans
(first held by Guigues VI in the year 1228) - Count of Ourém - Graf von Ourém
(first held by Afonso de Bragança in the year 1422) - Count of Portugal - Graf von Portugal
(first held by Henrique in the year 1096) - Countess of Tonnerre - Grafin von Tonnerre
(first held by Marguerite in the year 1262) - Count of Urgell - Graf von Urgell
(first held by Pedro in the year 1229) - Count of Vimioso - Graf von Vimioso
(first held by Francisco de Bragança in the year 1515) - Viscount of Avallon - Vize-Graf von Avallon
(first held by Hugues in the year 1272)
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