Heraldic Illustrations comprising the Armorial Bearings of the Principal Families of the Empire with pedigrees and annotations
By John Burke, Esq., and John Bernard Burke, Esq. Contents

Dedication
Engraved Plates of Arms
Pedigrees and Annotations, Explanatory, of the Engravings
Mottoes, Translated and Elucidated

Excerpt

The Family of Saxe-Coburg is one of the most ancient and illustrious of the Sovereign Houses of Europe. Its Princes, who frequently commanded armies and acquired great military renown, were as eminent in peace as the munificent Patrons of Art, Science, and Literature. Originally Counts of Wettin, they became, by inheritance, Margraves of Meissen and Landgraves of Thuringia: and of the latter potent Race sole Representatives at the decease of Hermann, Landgrave of Thuringia and Emperor of Germany.

The Reigning Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha is Chief of the Saalfeld Branch of the Ernestine Line of the House of Saxony. In that Line the Electorate vested at the decease of Albert III. in 1422, and remained until John Frederick, the Magnanimous, was deprived of his dominions by the Emperor Charles V. who conferred them, with the dignity of Elector of Saxony, on Duke Maurice of Meissen, Representative of the Albertine branch, and direct Ancestor of the present King of Saxony. Thus, but for the misfortunes of the Elector John Frederick, (Prince Albert’s immediate Progenitor) the Chief of his House–the Grand Duke of Saxe Weimar–would now be invested with the Sovereignty of Saxony. His Royal Highness Prince Albert bears for…

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