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Berszten (II) herb

The following article is a direct translation from the classic Genealogical and Heraldic reference "Herbarz Polski" by Kasper Niesiecki S.J., (Lipsk) edition 1839-46.

Neither Paprocki nor Okolski wrote about this coat of arms. There are two plow wheels, as in the first Berszten coat of arms.  Instead of the third wheel there is a fence similar to those found at fortifications.  There are two wings above the helmet, back to back and raised up in flight. The change was made here in Poland during the time of Zygmunt August in 1563. When Iwan Wasilewicz, Prince of Moscow laid siege to Polock, some were frightened by the shooting and the pressure and surrendered to the Czar. Wierzcheleski, the Polish captain from Sleza and of the coat of arms of Berszten bravely and at length resisted the enemy's force. After being exhausted and running out of ammunition they gave the city over to the Czar. Those who were the first to leave the city were imprisoned despite the promise that this would not happen. Wierzcheleski and his men however were generously pardoned and set free.  (Bielski page 613). Wierzcheleski, upon returning to the king, it is thought, received the change in the coat of arms.


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Copyright © 1985 Josephine M. Piegzik. Used by permission. This article originally appeared in Polish Genealogical 
Society Newsletter  (Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 1985), the journal of the Polish Genealogical Society.