Town
History
Heraldry
As you may know, the municipal coat of arms is composed of the most representative heraldic objects or symbols from its historical moments or the entities that have significantly influenced its history.
Therefore, we must consider what you have read in Chapter 2—“Military Field Hospital”—of our website’s “History” section. This chapter describes the moment when the significant farmhouse became a true settlement. This moment occurred in 1247 when San Fernando (Saint Ferdinand, King of Castille, León, and Asturias), on his way to conquer Seville, famously said, “Fagamos un hospital de sangre en esta arrinconada del río” (Let us establish a military field hospital in this nook of the river). He entrusted this Military Field Hospital to the Military Order of Malta or Saint John of Jerusalem, which was aiding him in conquering the Guadalquivir River plain towards Seville. This Order settled in the early town of La Rinconada and organised the first land management.
Hence, the Maltese Cross of this Order adorns the first field of our municipal coat of arms.
You may have also read in Chapter 3—“Garrison and Area of Seville”—on our website. This was the title our municipality received during those centuries. We served as a defence and warning post (from our rural northern position and extending eastward) against potential attackers. We were part of the same garrison and area as the extramural zones of San Bernardo and Triana, though they were much closer to Seville.
Until the 18th century, our mayors needed the approval of Seville to govern (as detailed in Chapter 4 of our website’s “History” section). The new dynasty from France, the Bourbons, brought a more modern approach to territorial organization. This change led to many settlements, with the title garrison and area of Seville, becoming independent municipalities, including ours. This is why the Fleur-de-lis of the Bourbons adorns the second field of our municipal coat of arms.
As our town has never belonged to any count, duke, marquis, or monastery—in other words, it has never been under noble or ecclesiastical jurisdiction—we have always remained free and royal (albeit under Seville’s supervision in the early centuries). That is why a Royal Crown crests our municipal coat of arms.
Therefore, our municipal coat of arms features a first red field with the white Maltese Cross of the Military Order of Malta or Saint John of Jerusalem; a second blue field with the golden Fleur-de-lis of the Bourbons; and crested with a closed Royal Crown.
