Rawa, is a coat of arms of Polish origin. It was borne by several noble families of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Russian Empire and Ukraine. The ancestry of first bearers of Rawicz is debated. Version supported by Polish chroniclerJan Długosz points out branch of Czech Vršovci clan, version supported by Polish heraldistKasper Niesiecki says that their origin is pagan Polish. Lot of families were later legally adopted into the clan or ennobled with this coat of arms, some misattributed to the clan by similarity of arms, names or by simple error or usurpation. Nowadays it is used as coat of arms of several Polish settlements.
Blazon
Main version : Shield Or with a bear Sable facing dexter with a maiden on its back. The maiden, vested in royal attire Gules and a crown Or, with flowing hair and hands upraised a little and expanded, all proper. Out of the crest coronet, between two antlers proper, a bear facing dexter. His left arm in front is lowered, and another one holds a rose on a stem, all proper, which the bear carries to his snout.
History
Power struggles in Bohemia: damnation, prosecution and salvation
The Vršovci took part in cruel power struggles that occurred in Bohemiaon the turn of the first millennium. Together with Přemyslids led by Boleslaus II the Pious they rivalised with Slavniki clan. During the struggles five members of rival Slavniki clan: Soběbor, Spytimír, Pobraslav, Pořej, and Čáslav were murdered. They were brothers of Czech missionary and bishop st. Adalbert of Prague. In 995 he damned the murderers. In historical records Czech duke Svatopluk of Přemyslids clan is accused of ordering to kill Mutyna and two his sons: Bożej and Boraszek also Unisław and Domisław during similar power struggles thirteen years later. Being horrified by those events some of Vršovci fled to Poland, where they were received with honours by king Bolesław III Krzywousty who gave them lands in the duchy of Masovia, that were foundation of future Rawa Voivodeship.
Origin of Polish Rawici
Rawicz is an old coat of arms, one of the oldest used in Poland. According to the legend it was imported from Lorraine prior to 1109. According to a legend, the symbol was brought to Lorraine from England, where it was awarded to the descendants of Canute the Great. The ancestry of first bearers of Rawicz is debated:
version supported by Polish chronicler Jan Długosz points out one of branches of Czech Vršovci clan, Early history of Vršovci is described by Cosmas of Prague in "Chronicle of Bohemians".
version supported by Polish heraldist Kasper Niesiecki says that their origin is pagan Polish.
In 1410 Rawicz bearers took part in the Battle of Grunwald. Among 50 Polish gonfalons one took the field under Rawa coat of arms and was led by Christian of Ostrów, Krakówcastellan. He was also a war councilor, one of the seven chief members of General Headquarters of Władysław II Jagiełło. In addition, one of the Rawicz bearers is marked for his military valour in the Battle of Koronowo that occurred shortly after the Grunwald. This knight's name was Christian of Goworzici, Rawa coat of arms.
Legend
According to the legend, an English king died without leaving a properly perfected testament, so his last will was expressed from the world beyond. He left a crown and all immovable property to his son, and all movables – to his daughter. Being instigated by his councilors, the Prince decided to fulfill his father's will nominally. He ordered to drive a black bear to a Princess' bedchamber. In case of Princess' death that seemed inevitable, the King's wish would be fulfilled and Princess' failure to manage the movables would be proven. However, the Princess did not only tame the beast but even rode out her chamber on its back, upraising her hands and calling for justice. Her brother made sure that truth and heaven take sister's side. He asked her pardon and married her off to a Duke of Lorraine, with all due property as a portion. As a keepsake Princess gave her descendants a coat of arms with a girl riding a bear depicted on it. This coat of arms was called "Rawicz". It symbolizes ability to overcome difficulties with honour, to change confusion into victory. This legend is stated in a well-known Polish armorial "Orbis Polonus" assembled by Szymon Okolski in 1641–1643.
