Weidenbach, Vulkaneifel
Encyclopedia
Weidenbach is an Ortsgemeinde – a municipality
belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde
, a kind of collective municipality – in the Vulkaneifel district
in Rhineland-Palatinate
, Germany
. It belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde of Daun
, whose seat is in the like-named town
. In Weidenbach, a Moselle Franconian dialect is spoken.
, a part of the Eifel
known for its volcanic history, geographical and geological features, and even ongoing activity today, including gases that sometimes well up from the earth. Weidenbach lies on the river Salm.
in which he confirmed to Abbot of Prüm
Urold holdings in Weidenbach (Witenbuoch), Stadtfeld (Stadefelt) and Ließem
(Liudesheim). The holdings served to support the collegiate church
at Prüm
that Urold endowed that same year.
Centuries later, the Lords of Pyrmont were enfeoffed with, among other holdings, Weidenbach by Archbishop of Trier Johann II in 1457. In 1460, the Archbishop also took Weidenbach under his protection. In 1565, Count Diedrich I of Manderscheid-Kayl was enfeoffed with Weidenbach.
In 1794, just before the French Revolutionary Wars
, Weidenbach belonged to the court district of Ober-Stadtfeld
in the Amt of Manderscheid. The lordship was held by the collegiate foundation B. M. V. (beatae Mariae virginis – “the Blessed Virgin Mary’s”, or “of the Blessed Virgin Mary” in Latin
), which, however, drew little in the way of income from its holding, and then only on Saint Andrew
’s Day (November 30).
When the French
overran the Eifel and other lands on the Rhine’s left bank soon afterwards, the inhabitants of Weidenbach were asked to sign a resolution of unity with the French. Of the 147 people who lived in Weidenbach at the time, nineteen refused to sign.
In the time of French administration, the Mairie (“Mayoralty”) of Weidenbach belonged to the Canton
of Manderscheid in the Region of Prüm. To this Mairie belonged Bleckhausen
, Deudesfeld
, Schutz
and Weidenbach. Weidenbach was once parochially united with Deudesfeld, but it was granted its own parish in the time of French administration, although it was only a very small parish that did not stretch beyond Weidenbach itself.
at the municipal election held on 7 June 2009, and the honorary mayor as chairman.
The municipality’s arms
might in English heraldic
language be described thus: Argent a fess abased azure surmounted by a willow eradicated with five branches sable and leaves vert, on a chief gules a fess dancetty Or.
The fess dancetty (horizontal zigzag stripe) in the chief
symbolizes Weidenbach’s lordly history, which brought it through the Lords of Pyrmont and the Electorate of Trier to Count Dietrich IV of Manderscheid-Schleiden. Recalling the time of the Lordship of Pyrmont and the allegiance to the Electorate of Trier through the Amt of Manderscheid is the fess dancetty in the chief, but with the tincture
s reversed. The main field in the arms is canting
for the municipality’s name, Weidenbach, which in German
literally means “Willowbrook”, thus explaining the charge
s there, a willow
and a fess abased azure (blue horizontal wavy stripe set below the centre) representing a brook.
The arms have been borne since 1990.
Municipalities of Germany
Municipalities are the lowest level of territorial division in Germany. This may be the fourth level of territorial division in Germany, apart from those states which include Regierungsbezirke , where municipalities then become the fifth level.-Overview:With more than 3,400,000 inhabitants, the...
belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde
Verbandsgemeinde
A Verbandsgemeinde is an administrative unit in the German Bundesländer of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony-Anhalt.-Rhineland-Palatinate:...
, a kind of collective municipality – in the Vulkaneifel district
Districts of Germany
The districts of Germany are known as , except in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein where they are known simply as ....
in Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of and about four million inhabitants. The capital is Mainz. English speakers also commonly refer to the state by its German name, Rheinland-Pfalz ....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde of Daun
Daun (Verbandsgemeinde)
Daun is a collective municipality in the Vulkaneifel district of Rhineland-Palatinate. The seat of the Daun Verbandsgemeinde is in the municipality of Daun.- Constituent municipalities:# Betteldorf# Bleckhausen# Brockscheid...
, whose seat is in the like-named town
Daun, Germany
Daun is a town in the Vulkaneifel district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is the district seat and also the seat of the Verbandsgemeinde of Daun.- Location :...
. In Weidenbach, a Moselle Franconian dialect is spoken.
Location
The municipality lies in the VulkaneifelVulkan Eifel
The Vulkan Eifel is a region in the Eifel Mountains in Germany, that is defined to a large extent by its volcanic geological history. Characteristic of the Vulkan Eifel are its typical explosion crater lakes or maars, and numerous other signs of volcanic activity such as volcanic tuffs, lava...
, a part of the Eifel
Eifel
The Eifel is a low mountain range in western Germany and eastern Belgium. It occupies parts of southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Rhineland-Palatinate and the south of the German-speaking Community of Belgium....
known for its volcanic history, geographical and geological features, and even ongoing activity today, including gases that sometimes well up from the earth. Weidenbach lies on the river Salm.
History
On 17 October 1016, Weidenbach had its first documentary mention under the name Witenbuoch in a document from Emperor Heinrich IIHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry II , also referred to as Saint Henry, Obl.S.B., was the fifth and last Holy Roman Emperor of the Ottonian dynasty, from his coronation in Rome in 1014 until his death a decade later. He was crowned King of the Germans in 1002 and King of Italy in 1004...
in which he confirmed to Abbot of Prüm
Prüm Abbey
Prüm Abbey is a former Benedictine abbey in Prüm/Lorraine, now in the diocese of Trier , founded by a Frankish widow Bertrada, and her son Charibert, count of Laon, on 23 June 720. The first abbot was Angloardus....
Urold holdings in Weidenbach (Witenbuoch), Stadtfeld (Stadefelt) and Ließem
Ließem
Ließem is a municipality in the district of Bitburg-Prüm, in Rhineland-Palatinate, western Germany.-References:...
(Liudesheim). The holdings served to support the collegiate church
Collegiate church
In Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons; a non-monastic, or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a dean or provost...
at Prüm
Prüm
Prüm is a town in the Westeifel , Germany. Formerly a district capital, today it is the administrative seat of the Verbandsgemeinde Prüm.-Geography:...
that Urold endowed that same year.
Centuries later, the Lords of Pyrmont were enfeoffed with, among other holdings, Weidenbach by Archbishop of Trier Johann II in 1457. In 1460, the Archbishop also took Weidenbach under his protection. In 1565, Count Diedrich I of Manderscheid-Kayl was enfeoffed with Weidenbach.
In 1794, just before the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
, Weidenbach belonged to the court district of Ober-Stadtfeld
Oberstadtfeld
Oberstadtfeld is an Ortsgemeinde – a municipality belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde, a kind of collective municipality – in the Vulkaneifel district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany...
in the Amt of Manderscheid. The lordship was held by the collegiate foundation B. M. V. (beatae Mariae virginis – “the Blessed Virgin Mary’s”, or “of the Blessed Virgin Mary” in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
), which, however, drew little in the way of income from its holding, and then only on Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew , called in the Orthodox tradition Prōtoklētos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew" , like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the 3rd or 2nd century BC. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him...
’s Day (November 30).
When the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
overran the Eifel and other lands on the Rhine’s left bank soon afterwards, the inhabitants of Weidenbach were asked to sign a resolution of unity with the French. Of the 147 people who lived in Weidenbach at the time, nineteen refused to sign.
In the time of French administration, the Mairie (“Mayoralty”) of Weidenbach belonged to the Canton
Cantons of France
The cantons of France are territorial subdivisions of the French Republic's 342 arrondissements and 101 departments.Apart from their role as organizational units in certain aspects of the administration of public services and justice, the chief purpose of the cantons today is to serve as...
of Manderscheid in the Region of Prüm. To this Mairie belonged Bleckhausen
Bleckhausen
Bleckhausen is an Ortsgemeinde – a municipality belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde, a kind of collective municipality – in the Vulkaneifel district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany...
, Deudesfeld
Deudesfeld
Deudesfeld is an Ortsgemeinde – a municipality belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde, a kind of collective municipality – in the southwest Vulkaneifel district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde of Daun, whose seat is in the like-named town...
, Schutz
Schutz, Germany
Schutz is an Ortsgemeinde – a municipality belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde, a kind of collective municipality – in the Vulkaneifel district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany...
and Weidenbach. Weidenbach was once parochially united with Deudesfeld, but it was granted its own parish in the time of French administration, although it was only a very small parish that did not stretch beyond Weidenbach itself.
Municipal council
The council is made up of 6 council members, who were elected by majority votePlurality voting system
The plurality voting system is a single-winner voting system often used to elect executive officers or to elect members of a legislative assembly which is based on single-member constituencies...
at the municipal election held on 7 June 2009, and the honorary mayor as chairman.
Coat of arms
The German blazon reads: Unter rotem Schildhaupt, darin ein goldener Zickzackbalken, in Silber ein erniedrigter blauer Wellenbalken, überdeckt von einem Weidenbaum mit schwarzem Stamm und grünen Blättern.The municipality’s arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
might in English heraldic
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
language be described thus: Argent a fess abased azure surmounted by a willow eradicated with five branches sable and leaves vert, on a chief gules a fess dancetty Or.
The fess dancetty (horizontal zigzag stripe) in the chief
Chief (heraldry)
In heraldic blazon, a chief is a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the top edge of the shield. Writers disagree in how much of the shield's surface is to be covered by the chief, ranging from one-fourth to one-third. The former is more likely if the...
symbolizes Weidenbach’s lordly history, which brought it through the Lords of Pyrmont and the Electorate of Trier to Count Dietrich IV of Manderscheid-Schleiden. Recalling the time of the Lordship of Pyrmont and the allegiance to the Electorate of Trier through the Amt of Manderscheid is the fess dancetty in the chief, but with the tincture
Tincture (heraldry)
In heraldry, tinctures are the colours used to emblazon a coat of arms. These can be divided into several categories including light tinctures called metals, dark tinctures called colours, nonstandard colours called stains, furs, and "proper". A charge tinctured proper is coloured as it would be...
s reversed. The main field in the arms is canting
Canting arms
Canting arms are heraldic bearings that represent the bearer's name in a visual pun or rebus. The term cant came into the English language from Anglo-Norman cant, meaning song or singing, from Latin cantāre, and English cognates include canticle, chant, accent, incantation and recant.Canting arms –...
for the municipality’s name, Weidenbach, which in German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
literally means “Willowbrook”, thus explaining the charge
Charge (heraldry)
In heraldry, a charge is any emblem or device occupying the field of an escutcheon . This may be a geometric design or a symbolic representation of a person, animal, plant, object or other device...
s there, a willow
Willow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
and a fess abased azure (blue horizontal wavy stripe set below the centre) representing a brook.
The arms have been borne since 1990.
Buildings
- Saint John the BaptistJohn the BaptistJohn the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
’s Catholic Parish Church (Pfarrkirche St. Johannes der Täufer), Hauptstraße 22 – four-axis aisleless churchAisleless churchAn Aisleless church is a single-nave church building that consists of a single hall-like room. While similar to the hall church, the aisleless church lacks aisles or passageways either side of the nave separated from the nave by colonnades or arcades, a row of pillars or columns...
, 1830; sandstoneSandstoneSandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
CrucifixionCrucifixionCrucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
BildstockBildstockA wayside shrine, is a religious image, usually in some sort of small shelter, placed by a road or pathway, sometimes in a settlement or at a crossroads, but often in the middle of an empty stretch of country road, or at the top of a hill or mountain. They have been a feature of many cultures,...
, late 18th century. - Auf Hostert – Quereinhaus (a combination residential and commercial house divided for these two purposes down the middle, perpendicularly to the street), 19th century.
- At Hauptstraße 18 – BaroqueBaroque architectureBaroque architecture is a term used to describe the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late sixteenth century Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and...
house entrance from 1804. - Across from Hauptstraße 58 – wayside cross, sandstone shaft cross from 1793.
- In der Hohl 8 – small Quereinhaus, possibly from the earlier half of the 19th century.