The Holy Roman Empire is symbolized as a two-headed eagle with its princes’ coats of arms on its feathers and a crucifix on its breast. By David de Negker, from a book printed in Augsburg in 1510. (Public domain image.) The Reichsadler, or imperial eagle (one- or two-headed), was used by Reichstädte on their insignia, symbolizing their protection “under the eagle’s wings.” Schweinfurt’s only surviving Reichsadler, a 16th century stone carving from a city gate, unfortunately lost its beak; it is now fondly known as “the owl.”

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