Nobilis Hannoniae Comitatus – Coats of Arms of Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

Nobilis Hannoniae Comitatus

Pays de Haynault – the Country of Hainaut from Civitates Orbis Terrarum

This rare copperplate from the famous Braun and Hogenberg atlas “Civitates Orbis Terrarum” is a reminder of the important role played by the Country of Hainaut in medieval times. Engraved circa 1580.

Hainaut (also spelled Hainault or Heynault in English) spanned the territory of what is today the province of Hainaut in Wallonia, Belgium and the Departement du Nord in France.

Between the 10th and 15th Centuries, the counts of Hainaut, vassals of the Holy Roman Empire, acted as independent heads of state, with a status equal to that of the Kings of France and England.

The engraving shows the important cities of the regions, including Mons, Bavay, Valenciennes, Enghien, Leuze-en-Hainaut, etc as coats of arms or as towers encircling the noble families of the region, each represented by a coat of arms.

Dimensions: 52 X 44 cm

Condition: Age toning, several tears in the margins. Tape on back, on top edge and tears and paper loss in several spots, notably the top margin.

Latin text on reverse. Hannoniae Hortulus