The Fisch Wappenbuch

Hans Ulrich Fisch (1583-1647) was a stained glass painter, book illustrator and local politician in the northern Swiss town of Aarau in the canton of Aargau.

Aargau is significant because the 11th century castle in the small town of Habsburg gave rise to the name (and original family seat) of the mighty Habsburg royal dynasty which ruled significant portions of Europe for more than five hundred years.

The eccentric album seen here, produced by Fisch in 1622, is an abbreviated family tree and record of the coat of arms of the Habsburg (Hapsburg) dynasty rulers. No doubt they claimed an impeccable pedigree, with the inclusion of Julius Caesar in their ranks (third picture from top). [Having said that, I think it might be something of a tradition in Wappenbuch (Coat of Arms books)].

2008 is the commemorative year with regards to both the first written mention of the Habsburgs (1108) and also the murder of King Albrecht I of Habsburg Germany in 1308, who was regarded as the founder of the Habsburg empire. {The abbey church of Königsfelden was built 700 years ago in remembrance of the murdered king Albrecht I}

• 'Wappenbuch des Hans Ulrich Fisch' was digitised last month by the Aargau Archives -- click the dropdown menu at 'Anzeige' and choose a thumbnail display configuration -- and is hosted by the Virtual Manuscript Library of Switzerland. The images above were slightly cropped and some of the background stains have been reduced. The website has a range of image sizes available. [via Archivalia]
• Table of contents (in German)
  
• Aargau / Aarau / Habsburg (town) / Habsburg (castle) / Habsburg (dynasty) / King Albrecht I at Wikipedia.
• Kanton Aargau (in German)
  
• Habsburg town site (in German)
• Previously related (although there are probably more): Duke Dress and Heraldry; Simon Haendel's Stammbuch; Bavarian Wappenbuch.