Thirty Years’ War

The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) was the largest military conflict in the 17th-century Europe which involved nearly all European countries. In 1627, the troops of the Holy Roman Empire were stationed in the Duchy of Pomerania, including in Stargard. In July of 1630, Swedish army landed in Pomerania and captured one town and village after another, forcing the Imperial troops to retreat. The Swedes also managed to capture Stargard. The town had to suffer multiple battles and sieges, and also host the soldiers of both sides. To make matters worse, a great fire broke out in the town on 7 October 1635, caused by the Swedish commander, Colonel Jacob Bohm who set fire to the suburbs in order to prevent the Imperial army from capturing the town. The fire quickly spread to other parts of the town. Nearly half of Stargard was burned down as a result. The decimated, pillaged and exhausted town would face the consequences of the war for decades. The Griffonet wearing the morion helmet symbolises the years of Stargards’ struggle during the Thirty Years’ War, while the felled tree represents the pivotal moment in the history of the entire Pomerania region that was the childless death of the Duchy of Pomearnia, Bogislaw IV and the end of the House of Griffin.