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Heraldic crestings
in
Tocnik castle and Old Town tower of Charles Bridge
There are two very similar crestings in our country, both originated from Czech and Roman King Wenceslas (Václav) IV., who was also margrave of Moravia and Lower Lusatia, count of Luxembourg, Prince of Zgorzelz, Swidnica, Budysin, Wroclaw and Nisa (Silesian princedoms).
The older is in access front of Old Town Tower of The Charles Bridge from about 1390. The second is over the gate of Točník castle and was probably created in the first years of 15th century. There is interesting difference in order of arms between the two crests. It is believed it depends on political conditions then. The older, in Prague was created in time when King Wenceslas was on top of European politics, he hold the post of the King of Holy Roman Empire who theoretically ruled the considerable part of Europe (German countries, Bohemia, Moravia, Austria, Burgundy, Savoy, part of Italy - Sicily, Lombardy - and others). It is reflected in fact that in the most honorable place in the center of the crest is located coat of arm of Roman Empire - black eagle in gold field.
When the second crest was set up the situation was quite different. In 1400 was Wenceslas dethroned by electors. After it he totally resigned to Empire politics. So the most honorable place in second crest at Točník castle was occupied by his native Bohemian coat of arm (silver double tailed lion on the red field).

Točník castle
(see in)
The crest was originally located above contemporary 1st gate. When the gate was wall up in 1524 cresting was transferred to present location over the renaissance southwestern gate. During transfer was probably changed order of coat of arms.

present state
1.
Prince of Budysin 		2.
Margrave of Lower-Lusatia 		3.
Prince of Zgorzelz 		4.
King of Bohemia 		5.
Count of Luxemburg
6.
Prince of Swidnica 		7.
Prince of Wroclaw 		8.
Roman King 		9.
Margrave of Moravia 		10.
Prince of Nisa


or:

Prince of
Budysin 		Margrave of
Lower-Lusatia 		Prince of
Zgorzelz 		King of
Bohemia 		Count of
Luxemburg 		Prince of
Swidnica 		Prince of
Wroclav 		Roman
King 		Margrave of
Moravia 		Prince of
Nisa


original composition
is believed folowing
numbering by heraldic curtoasy (order of advantage) - the most honorable in the right center with number 1
9
Margrave of
Lower Lusatia 		7
Prince of
Budysin 		5
Prince of
Zgorzrelz 		3
Count of
Luxemburg 		1
King of
Bohemia 		2
Roman
King 		4
Margrave of
Moravia 		6
Prince of
Swidnica 		8
Prince of
Wroclaw 		10
Prince of
Nisa


Old Town Tower of Charles Bridge


overall composition
9
Prince of
Nisa 		7
Prince of
Wroclaw 		5
Prince of
Swidnica 		3
Margrave of
Moravia 		1
Roman
King 		2
King
Bohemia 		4
Count of
Luxemburg 		6
Prince of
Zgorzrelz 		8
Prince of
Budysin 		10
Margrave of
Lower Lusatia



heraldic right side
9
Prince of
Nisa 		7
Prince of
Wroclaw 		5
Prince of
Swidnica 		3
Margrave of
Moravia 		1
Roman
King



heraldic left side
2
King of
Bohemia 		4
Count of
Luxemburg 		6
Prince of
Zgorzrelz 		8
Prince of
Budysin 		10
Margrave of
Lower Lusatia