Saxon Steed
Heraldic horse motif of Saxon regions.
The Saxon Steed—known in German as the *Sachsenross*, *Niedersachsenross*, *Welfenross*, or *Westfalenpferd*, in Dutch as the *Twentse Ros*, *Saksische ros*, or *Saksische paard*, and in Low German as the *Witte Peerd*—is a heraldic symbol linked to the German states of Lower Saxony and Westphalia, as well as the Dutch region of Twente. This horse motif first appeared in the late 1300s, described at the time as an “old Saxon” emblem. Over the centuries, antiquarians have often speculated that it was a tribal badge of the ancient Saxons. A story recorded in 1492 claims that the 8th-century Saxon leader Widukind used a black horse as his battlefield sign.
Historian James Lloyd argues that the motif was actually invented in the 14th century as a fake ancient symbol for the Saxons, based on Gobelinus’s account of the Hengist and Horsa myth in Britain. The House of Welf, whose original emblem was a gold lion on a red field, later adopted the horse. It also appeared in several Westphalian provinces—hence the names *Westfalenross* (Westphalian steed) and *Welfenross* (Welf steed). The motif went on to become the heraldic animal of the Kingdom of Hanover (after 1866, the Prussian Province of Hanover), the Prussian Province of Westphalia, and the Free State of Brunswick from 1922 until 1935, when the Nazis banned state flags and required only the Nazi flag. This tradition carries on in two modern German states: Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.
After World War II, the Province of Hanover became an independent state on 23 August 1946 and readopted the steed as its coat of arms. Brunswick, also independent, had made the same choice on 8 July 1946. When these two states merged with Oldenburg and Schaumburg-Lippe to form Lower Saxony, the Saxon Steed became the new state’s coat of arms—initially unofficial, later official. The steed also appears in one of the three sections of North Rhine-Westphalia’s coat of arms, representing the Westphalian area.
When the House of Hanover entered a personal union with the United Kingdom in 1714, the Saxon Steed was incorporated into the British royal arms during that period. In the Dutch region of Twente, local culture enthusiast J.J. van Deinse designed a common flag in the 1920s to express the area’s Saxon heritage. Twente borders Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, and its local language, Tweants, is considered a bra
- First recorded appearance
- Late 14th century
- Associated regions
- Lower Saxony, Westphalia, Twente
- Heraldic charge
- Horse
- Notable early tradition
- Widukind's black horse (recorded 1492)
- Modern official use
- Coat of arms of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia
Lore & Background
The Saxon Steed first appears in the late 14th century, described as an 'old Saxon' motif. Historian James Lloyd suggests it was invented in the 14th century as a faux ancient symbol for the Saxons, derived from an account by Gobelinus of the myth of Hengist and Horsa in Britain. The motif was adopted by the House of Welf, whose original symbol was a golden lion on red ground. It has also been used in several provinces in Westphalia, becoming known as Westfalenross and Welfenross.
Reader's Guide
The Saxon Steed became the heraldic animal of the Kingdom of Hanover, the Prussian Province of Westphalia, and the Free State of Brunswick from 1922 until 1935, when state flags were prohibited by the Nazis. After World War II, the Province of Hanover and Brunswick independently adopted the steed as their coat of arms in 1946. When these states merged with Oldenburg and Schaumburg-Lippe into Lower Saxony, the Saxon Steed became the new state's coat of arms, first unofficial then official. It also appears in one of three sections of the coat of arms of North Rhine-Westphalia, associated with Westphalia. In 1714, the House of Hanover united with the United Kingdom, placing the Saxon Steed in the British royal arms during the Hanoverian period. In the Dutch Twente region, J.J. van Deinse designed a common flag in the 1920s expressing Saxon heritage. The motif appears in local football club FC Twente's logo and other instances. The seal of King George County, Virginia, also includes the Saxon Steed, derived from the 1714 British royal arms.
Did You Know?
- The Saxon Steed is also called Westfalenross, Welfenross, and in Low German, Witte Peerd.
- A tradition first recorded in 1492 reports that the 8th-century Saxon ruler Widukind displayed a black horse as his field sign.
- Historian James Lloyd suggests the motif was invented in the 14th century as a faux ancient symbol for the Saxons.
- The Saxon Steed appears in the seal of King George County, Virginia, adopted from the 1714 British royal arms.
More in Heraldic beasts 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record