Tudor-Radu TIRON, PhD hist, is Principal Secretary of the Académie Internationale d’Héraldique (since 2022) and member of the National Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography of the Romanian Academy (since 1997). He has been admitted into several research societies of Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Macedonia. Among Tudor-Radu TIRON's fields of interest could be mentioned the Romanian and Central-European heraldry, genealogy, sphragistics, vexillology, phaleristics, the preservation of monuments, the history of the Romanian law a.s.o. He is also a member of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry.
For the present study, the author has returned to the issue of decorations conferred during the p... more For the present study, the author has returned to the issue of decorations conferred during the pro-Communist government of Dr. Petru Groza, which was in power between 1945 and 1947. Coinciding with the last years of the existence of the Kingdom of Romania, the conferring of decorations started from the existing system of orders and medals, a special place in this structure of honours having the Cultural Merit Order and Medal. The present approach concerns the awarding of decorations to some representatives of the fine arts: creators, critics, collectors. These numerous awards of orders and medals have first been presented and then commented on. The great names of the visual arts stand side by side with emerging creators, in a mix that we have tried to explain in detail: who was decorated and why, who was not, and so on. The adaptation of the system of decorations of Royal Romania to the political context of that period is not without interest: from the point of view of the rulers, the impression of adherence had to be left from the top of the artistic milieu; from the artists’ point of view, being decorated meant that oneʼs art was politically correct, and that creator could carry out his work in the most normal conditions. And yet, the motto of the Order of Cultural Merit, „Prin Cultură la Libertate” („Through Culture to Freedom”), had become meaningless: as the whole country had fallen under Soviet domination, so the Romanian art of the 1940s was also moving rapidly towards the Moscow cultural models. In fact, creative freedom had been lost, and the awards of decorations of that period only illustrated the collapse of the art world in tandem with the collapse of the state.
"At the Crossroad of Civilizations. Individuals and Families Reflected by Genealogy and Heraldry", 2024
Private sigillography in Moldavia and Wallachia in the seventeenth century had specific authentic... more Private sigillography in Moldavia and Wallachia in the seventeenth century had specific authentication methods. Broadly speaking, it represented the impression of a (heraldic, iconographic, etc.) seal or the fingerprint. In addition to these basic variants, ink or lampblack coin impressions were also encountered, which gave the appearance of using a veritable seal. By exploiting document collections such as those of the Romanian Academy Library, the National Library of Romania, and the Iaşi County Service of the National Archives, the authors discovered nine documents issued by private individuals in both Moldavia and Wallachia, including 11 seal impressions made using ancient and medieval/premodern coins. The objective of the present research is to identify as precisely as possible the types of coins used for sealing, an investigation followed by conclusions drawn from this fascinating historical endeavour.
“Actas – XIII Coloquio Internacional de Genealogía. Madrid, 19 - 21 octubre 2023”, Académie Internationale de Généalogie, Ediciones Hidalguía, Madrid, 2024, pp. 17-36, 2024
Dating from before the abdication of King Mihai I (1947), Romanian genealogy research continued i... more Dating from before the abdication of King Mihai I (1947), Romanian genealogy research continued in the first decades of the Republic. Decisive steps were taken at the beginning of the 1970s, when the commission of Heraldry, genealogy and sigilography was established. The political change of 1989 led to the diversification of genealogy concerns, with the removal of taboos from the period of the communist dictatorship. From the beginning of the 1990s, the research activity was extended in almost all the historical provinces, a special role being played by the university centers of Cluj-Napoca (for Transylvania), and particularly Iaşi (for Moldavia). In the course of time, several associations appeared whose activity is more or less documented, the most active being “Sever Zotta” Romanian institute of genealogy and Heraldry, which organized an international Genealogy Colloquium in Iaşi (2007). The study reviews the main directions of genealogical research, as resulting from the specialized bibliography: collections of genealogical studies, family monographs, and other useful tools for genealogical research.
Representing the main writing of the Romanian politician Constantin Argetoianu (1871-1955), his M... more Representing the main writing of the Romanian politician Constantin Argetoianu (1871-1955), his Memoirs and Daily notes are an exceptional source of information, including regarding the award and use of the state orders and medals in the past. For the present study, the author selected, organized and commented on several fragments relating to the years 1930-1940, i.e. the reign of King Carol II of Romania. This resulted in a charming and unique „fresco” of the Romanian and foreign decorations from the years preceding the Second World War.
The sudden disappearance of Sorin Iftimi caused an irreparable loss for the community of Romanian... more The sudden disappearance of Sorin Iftimi caused an irreparable loss for the community of Romanian historians. A hardworking and modest man, a good colleague and friend, Sorin Iftimi left behind a work that will hardly be equalled. The historical research in the broadest sense, as well as the auxiliary disciplines of history, are deeply indebted to him. His interests with phaleristics are closely related with those of heraldry, sphragistics and vexillology. These lines resulted from the materials devoted to the history of orders and medals on Romanian soil. Starting from a corpus of studies indicated by Sorin Iftimi himself, the text went through his volumes and articles, managing to cover four basic directions: 1) Radu (Rudolph) Cantacuzino and the Constantinian Order of Saint George (first half of the 18th century); 2) Notables from Moldavia and Wallachia wearing decorations, in the portraiture of the 19th-20th centuries; 3) The decorations associated with Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859‑1866); 4) Distinctions reflecting Romania’s effort during the First World War. The present study located, highlighted, and in some places commented the phaleristic information included in the bibliography of the regretted author.
Born into a family of boyars from Wallachia, the academician Dan Berindei (November 3, 1923 – Dec... more Born into a family of boyars from Wallachia, the academician Dan Berindei (November 3, 1923 – December 23, 2021) was a leading figure in the postwar Romanian historical research. Passionate about genealogy, a field in which he left valuable studies, Dan Berindei belonged to a group of researchers in the auxiliary sciences of history. In 1971, taking advantage of a favorable political situation, this group managed to obtain the approval of the state authorities for the establishment of the Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography. Spiritus rector of the scientific activity of this Committee, Dan Berindei ensured the representation of Romania at the profile congresses organized in the West, at a time when Romanian researchers could travel less and less outside their country. In the early 1970s, and especially after the political change of December 1989, Dan Berindei campaigned for the involvement of specialists in carrying out national and administrative-territorial heraldry. Successively vice-president and president of the Committee, he was involved in almost all the key moments that the recent Romanian heraldry went through.
“Actas – Congreso Internacional de las ciencias Genealógica y Heráldica (Madrid, 20 - 23 octubre 2021)", 2022
Starting from the author’s experience with the matriculation of his own arms, the lecture shows t... more Starting from the author’s experience with the matriculation of his own arms, the lecture shows the little known, recently developed heraldic system of the Republic of Moldova. Referred by law as ‘public symbols’, the personal achievements and flags are approved by a Committee (appointed by the chief of state), published in the “Official Gazette” and inscribed in a “General Armorial”. A coat of arms may have elements denoting the noble ancestry of the petitioner, based on documents. This is an interesting example of arms legally approved in our days but mirroring the social realities of past times.
Based on the information contained within the awarding decrees published in the „Official Gazette... more Based on the information contained within the awarding decrees published in the „Official Gazette”, from the installation of Petru Groza’s cabinet and until the proclamation of the republic, the study encompasses the governmental policy on bestowing the state honours to the main ‘actors’ of the pro-communist regime: high-ranking officials, people linked with the local agitprop, prominent figures of the repressive apparatus etc. The three years approached in the present study are relevant for the way the government used the royal orders and medals with the purpose to motivate and reward people who contributed more or less to the collapse of the democratic regime and to the collaboration with the Soviet oppressor. Furthermore, these years knew unprecedented abuses regarding the legal procedures for conferring a state decoration (notably handing over orders and medals without the King’s approval).
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography and based ... more Marking the 50th anniversary of the Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography and based on documents coming from Dan Cernovodeanu’s collection, the present study focuses on our predecessors’ efforts, as a part of the 1970-1972 settlement of the civic coats of arms of the socialist Romania. The study encompasses the premises that led to the acceptance of the right to use achievements by counties and municipia, the main stages of the Central Consultative Committee, the attempts to identify the optimal ways to conceive and illustrate these projects, as well as their peculiarities, from the stage of the proposal to that of the approval. The efforts of the two specialists involved in the activity of this Committee, Jean N. Mănescu and Dan Cernovodeanu, must be understood in the context of those times. As much as they were allowed, they tried to save as much as possible from the traditional background of Romanian heraldry. Overall, the coats of arms approved by Decree no. 302/1972 is a subject that, without having benefited from the constant attention of the specialized literature, remains an interesting one, both from a theoretical and artistic perspective.
Revue française d’héraldique et de sigillographie – Études en ligne, 2022
6. CERNOVODEANU, Ştiinţa… (cité n. 1), p. 173. 7. Il s'agit en premier lieu de la suppression des... more 6. CERNOVODEANU, Ştiinţa… (cité n. 1), p. 173. 7. Il s'agit en premier lieu de la suppression des privilèges de classe par l'article 46 de la Convention de Paris de 1858 : « … Les Moldaves et les Valaques seront tous égaux devant la loi, devant l'impôt, et également admissibles aux emplois publics (…). Tous les privilèges, exemptions ou monopoles dont jouissent encore certaines classes seront abolis… » (Conférence de Paris. 1858 [Convention relative à l'organisation des principautés de Moldavie et de Valachie, signée à Paris le 19 août 1858. Protocoles des séances], Paris, 1858, p. 14). En second lieu, l'inadmissibilité des titres nobiliaires est proclamée par l'article 12 de la première Constitution roumaine de 1866 : « …Les titres étrangers de noblesse, tels que princes, comtes, barons et d'autres similaires, étant contraires aux anciennes coutumes du pays, sont et restent inadmissibles dans l'
The tradition of Romanian commemorative decorations begins a century and a half ago, with the est... more The tradition of Romanian commemorative decorations begins a century and a half ago, with the establishment of the Medal “Pro virtute militari” (1860). Since then, under all forms of government, the Romanian state has established various distinctions paying homage to the birth of a personality, the beginning of a reign, political, military, economic or social events, etc. The end of the last century and the beginning of the current one meant the achievement of the national system of awards of Romania. The year 2000 was particularly favorable for the establishment of orders, medals and honorary signs. In parallel, in 2000 occurred not only the 150th anniversary of the birth of the poet Mihai Eminescu (a commemorative medal bearing his name being instituted and conferred), but also the 400th anniversary of the Union of the three Principalities, made by Michael the Brave – a historical moment having, until today, a deep symbolic significance. In the spring of 2000, wanting to properly mark the memory of this prince, a group of senators initiated a legislative project wishing to establish a commemorative medal. Unfortunately, this initiative exceeded all reasonable deadlines (given the fulfillment of the parliamentary procedures), the project being definitively rejected at the beginning of 2002.
The establishment of a democratic regime in post-communist Romania brought about, among other con... more The establishment of a democratic regime in post-communist Romania brought about, among other consequences, the development of a new system of awards. Divided into several types of orders and medals, this system has experienced several modifications and additions, ensuring its connection with the main fields of activity of today’s society. Established by Law nr. 107 of 3 July 2020 – however not yet conferred – the Order of Merit for the Promotion of Human Rights and Social Commitment is one of the Romanian civil awards for specific fields of activity. The Order covers multiple domains at once, being probably the only known award to mark such a wide range of contributions, in the name of internationally-cherished principles, such as: altruism, equity, solidarity, democracy, respect of the human rights.
Marmatia », nr. 16-17, 2019-2020, seria arheologie-istorie, 2021
This study was occasioned after identifying, in a private collection, the seal matrix bearing the... more This study was occasioned after identifying, in a private collection, the seal matrix bearing the arms of the five privileged cities of Maramureş County. Although dated 1701, two of these arms, featuring an aurochs head (of Sighet and Câmpulung-la-Tisa), have undoubtedly ancient origins. Attested through other sources, these aurochs heads are part of a series of several noble families Hungarian heraldic achievements. Also, the spread of this figure can be explained through the royal and noble chases of the aurochs (or bison), which was a feature of the eastern territories of the medieval Kingdom of Hungary. On the other hand, the presence of aurochs heads in the coats of arms of both Maramureş and Moldavia is an argument for the supposition that the founders of this Principality (and particularly prince Dragoş), brought this simbol/symbol from Maramureş. Further, the study approaches some of the main directions of the research in the field of the origins of the coat of arms of Moldavia. The already known information is systematized, confirming some prior assumptions and proposing new ones.
„Social and Administrative Elite in the Romanian Space (15th-19th Centuries)”, edited by Mihai-Bogdan Atanasiu, Cristian Ploscaru, Hartung-Gorre Publishers, Konstanz, 2021, 2021
During the fourth decade of the nineteenth century, several boyars involved in the so-called “Con... more During the fourth decade of the nineteenth century, several boyars involved in the so-called “Confederative Conspiracy” left a programmatic document, containing a long series of measures conceived for a deep reform of the Moldavian Principality. An important part of these provisions regarded the transformation of the Moldavian noble class. Besides the functions in use, the conspirers imagined a European-like hereditary nobility (with titles as prince, count and baron), as well as other institutions, having the role of increasing the power and prestige of the upper classes, as a measure of counterbalancing the authority of the Crown. These measures remained only as a project, the discovery of the conspiracy putting an end to such initiatives. It is interesting to observe the way in which the author/authors of the text corroborated various foreign sources of inspiration, in order to compose a new local noble establishment.
"VASILE ALECSANDRI - 200 de ani de la naştere (1821 -2021)" Complexul Muzeal Naţional "Moldova" Iaşi, 2020
Vasile Alecsandri: 200 de ani de la naştere / coord.: Sorin Iftimi. -Iaşi: Palatul culturii, 2020... more Vasile Alecsandri: 200 de ani de la naştere / coord.: Sorin Iftimi. -Iaşi: Palatul culturii, 2020 Conţine bibliografie ISBN 978-606-8547-50-3 I. Iftimi, Sorin (coord.) 821.135.1.09 929 Toate drepturile rezervate. Nicio parte din această publicaţie nu poate fi reprodusă sau folosită în niciun fel şi prin niciun mijloc-fotografic, electronic sau mecanic, inclusiv prin fotocopiere, înregistrare sau sisteme de stocare şi interogare a datelor -fără acordul prealabil scris al editurii şi/sau al autorului/ coordonatorului. Autorul/ Coordonatorul poartă responsabilitatea textului şi fotografiilor conţinute în această publicaţie.
The present study analyses the heraldic information contained in the novel of Ion Marin Sadoveanu... more The present study analyses the heraldic information contained in the novel of Ion Marin Sadoveanu (1893-1964), „Sfârșit de veac în București” (first edition: 1944), a remarkably accurate and colourful „fresco” of the Romanian society during the rule of King Carol I. Focusing on the social ascension of a new category (represented by the unscrupulous and intelligent character Iancu Urmatecu), the novel shows the parallel decadence of the noble class (represented by the tired and neglectful baron Barbu), the latter being overwhelmed by the „new times”and powerless to defend its social and economic position. The novel is visibly inspired by real characters and situations, the model of baron Barbu being the Romanian statesman Barbu Bellu (Bellio) (1825-1900), holder of a genuine title of Austrian baron. Heraldic details appeared constantly in the fictional text, however the author constantly inspired from the real coat of arms of the baron Bellu. Las but not least, mentions on heraldic issues are always intended to be significant, in order to underline several aspects of the relation between the two opposite „worlds”: one of the ascending homines novi, and other of the descending noblemen.
The study encompass the information published in the awarding decrees issued for the “Aeronautica... more The study encompass the information published in the awarding decrees issued for the “Aeronautical Virtue” Order and the “Aeronautical Medal”, from the moment in which Romania entered World War II, to the years which followed the peace settlement, and until the fall of the monarchy on December 30th, 1947. Including statistical information regarding the conferral of these two awards, the study also shows significant moments from the history of both the decorations, emphasizing the merits that justified their bestowing. The study refers to both the war insignia (“with swords”), and also with “peace” insignia, for militaries as well as for civilians, also for Romanians and for foreign citizens.
”Comunismul între ideologie și practică - Colocviul Național de Istorie, Ediția a XXI-a”, vol. II, Muzeul Național Cotroceni, București, 2019, 2019
Based on the information offered by the awarding decrees published in the Romanian “Official Gaze... more Based on the information offered by the awarding decrees published in the Romanian “Official Gazette”, from the installation of Petru Groza’s Cabinet and until the proclamation of the Republic, the study encompass the mutual awards which marked the Romanian-Soviet approach. Regarding the Romanian decorations offered to Soviet personalities, there are awards on the military, the political, economic and cultural grounds. In parallel, there are also Soviet awards conferred upon the Romanians, for instance those who belonged to the “Tudor Vladimirescu” Division, a military unit having a leading role in Romania’s ”Stalinization”.
Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi, s.n., Istorie, 2019
Originated in the period that preexisted the foundation of the principality, the Moldavian noble ... more Originated in the period that preexisted the foundation of the principality, the Moldavian noble class had known different periods of transformation, with complex processes of decline of the old elites and assimilation of the new ones, most of them having foreign origins. Incorporating, at least in theory, all the small or great landowners, the noble class had in its forefront several dozens of families – an oligarchy that occupied the high public dignities. Attested upon the oldest preserved documents, the noble seals were using coats of arms, following Western influences. Less developed than in the rest of Europe, the local noble heraldry had an uninterrupted evolution, also during the age of the “phanariots”. Only a part of the great noble lineages displayed coats of arms, while the armorial usage was rarely met with the lower nobility. Having interesting particularities, the local heraldry reflected the social status of the elites.
Instituted by the Decree no. 37 of January 20, 1953, “For Gallantry” Medal belonged the the first... more Instituted by the Decree no. 37 of January 20, 1953, “For Gallantry” Medal belonged the the first series of awards of the Romanian People’s Republic. Closely inspired by a Soviet decoration having the same name, “For Gallantry” Medal illustrates not only the features of the Romanian phaleristics during the early period of the republican régime, but also the political relations between Romania and the Soviet Union before and immediately after Stalin’s death. Intended to reward the militaries involved with the protection of the state borders, as well as against “diversionists, spies and other enemies of the Romanian People’s Republic”. The medal was never conferred, being revoked by the Decree no. 22 of January 15, 1958, as a part of the policy of the Romanian authorities of eradicating Stalin’s legacy.
For the present study, the author has returned to the issue of decorations conferred during the p... more For the present study, the author has returned to the issue of decorations conferred during the pro-Communist government of Dr. Petru Groza, which was in power between 1945 and 1947. Coinciding with the last years of the existence of the Kingdom of Romania, the conferring of decorations started from the existing system of orders and medals, a special place in this structure of honours having the Cultural Merit Order and Medal. The present approach concerns the awarding of decorations to some representatives of the fine arts: creators, critics, collectors. These numerous awards of orders and medals have first been presented and then commented on. The great names of the visual arts stand side by side with emerging creators, in a mix that we have tried to explain in detail: who was decorated and why, who was not, and so on. The adaptation of the system of decorations of Royal Romania to the political context of that period is not without interest: from the point of view of the rulers, the impression of adherence had to be left from the top of the artistic milieu; from the artists’ point of view, being decorated meant that oneʼs art was politically correct, and that creator could carry out his work in the most normal conditions. And yet, the motto of the Order of Cultural Merit, „Prin Cultură la Libertate” („Through Culture to Freedom”), had become meaningless: as the whole country had fallen under Soviet domination, so the Romanian art of the 1940s was also moving rapidly towards the Moscow cultural models. In fact, creative freedom had been lost, and the awards of decorations of that period only illustrated the collapse of the art world in tandem with the collapse of the state.
"At the Crossroad of Civilizations. Individuals and Families Reflected by Genealogy and Heraldry", 2024
Private sigillography in Moldavia and Wallachia in the seventeenth century had specific authentic... more Private sigillography in Moldavia and Wallachia in the seventeenth century had specific authentication methods. Broadly speaking, it represented the impression of a (heraldic, iconographic, etc.) seal or the fingerprint. In addition to these basic variants, ink or lampblack coin impressions were also encountered, which gave the appearance of using a veritable seal. By exploiting document collections such as those of the Romanian Academy Library, the National Library of Romania, and the Iaşi County Service of the National Archives, the authors discovered nine documents issued by private individuals in both Moldavia and Wallachia, including 11 seal impressions made using ancient and medieval/premodern coins. The objective of the present research is to identify as precisely as possible the types of coins used for sealing, an investigation followed by conclusions drawn from this fascinating historical endeavour.
“Actas – XIII Coloquio Internacional de Genealogía. Madrid, 19 - 21 octubre 2023”, Académie Internationale de Généalogie, Ediciones Hidalguía, Madrid, 2024, pp. 17-36, 2024
Dating from before the abdication of King Mihai I (1947), Romanian genealogy research continued i... more Dating from before the abdication of King Mihai I (1947), Romanian genealogy research continued in the first decades of the Republic. Decisive steps were taken at the beginning of the 1970s, when the commission of Heraldry, genealogy and sigilography was established. The political change of 1989 led to the diversification of genealogy concerns, with the removal of taboos from the period of the communist dictatorship. From the beginning of the 1990s, the research activity was extended in almost all the historical provinces, a special role being played by the university centers of Cluj-Napoca (for Transylvania), and particularly Iaşi (for Moldavia). In the course of time, several associations appeared whose activity is more or less documented, the most active being “Sever Zotta” Romanian institute of genealogy and Heraldry, which organized an international Genealogy Colloquium in Iaşi (2007). The study reviews the main directions of genealogical research, as resulting from the specialized bibliography: collections of genealogical studies, family monographs, and other useful tools for genealogical research.
Representing the main writing of the Romanian politician Constantin Argetoianu (1871-1955), his M... more Representing the main writing of the Romanian politician Constantin Argetoianu (1871-1955), his Memoirs and Daily notes are an exceptional source of information, including regarding the award and use of the state orders and medals in the past. For the present study, the author selected, organized and commented on several fragments relating to the years 1930-1940, i.e. the reign of King Carol II of Romania. This resulted in a charming and unique „fresco” of the Romanian and foreign decorations from the years preceding the Second World War.
The sudden disappearance of Sorin Iftimi caused an irreparable loss for the community of Romanian... more The sudden disappearance of Sorin Iftimi caused an irreparable loss for the community of Romanian historians. A hardworking and modest man, a good colleague and friend, Sorin Iftimi left behind a work that will hardly be equalled. The historical research in the broadest sense, as well as the auxiliary disciplines of history, are deeply indebted to him. His interests with phaleristics are closely related with those of heraldry, sphragistics and vexillology. These lines resulted from the materials devoted to the history of orders and medals on Romanian soil. Starting from a corpus of studies indicated by Sorin Iftimi himself, the text went through his volumes and articles, managing to cover four basic directions: 1) Radu (Rudolph) Cantacuzino and the Constantinian Order of Saint George (first half of the 18th century); 2) Notables from Moldavia and Wallachia wearing decorations, in the portraiture of the 19th-20th centuries; 3) The decorations associated with Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859‑1866); 4) Distinctions reflecting Romania’s effort during the First World War. The present study located, highlighted, and in some places commented the phaleristic information included in the bibliography of the regretted author.
Born into a family of boyars from Wallachia, the academician Dan Berindei (November 3, 1923 – Dec... more Born into a family of boyars from Wallachia, the academician Dan Berindei (November 3, 1923 – December 23, 2021) was a leading figure in the postwar Romanian historical research. Passionate about genealogy, a field in which he left valuable studies, Dan Berindei belonged to a group of researchers in the auxiliary sciences of history. In 1971, taking advantage of a favorable political situation, this group managed to obtain the approval of the state authorities for the establishment of the Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography. Spiritus rector of the scientific activity of this Committee, Dan Berindei ensured the representation of Romania at the profile congresses organized in the West, at a time when Romanian researchers could travel less and less outside their country. In the early 1970s, and especially after the political change of December 1989, Dan Berindei campaigned for the involvement of specialists in carrying out national and administrative-territorial heraldry. Successively vice-president and president of the Committee, he was involved in almost all the key moments that the recent Romanian heraldry went through.
“Actas – Congreso Internacional de las ciencias Genealógica y Heráldica (Madrid, 20 - 23 octubre 2021)", 2022
Starting from the author’s experience with the matriculation of his own arms, the lecture shows t... more Starting from the author’s experience with the matriculation of his own arms, the lecture shows the little known, recently developed heraldic system of the Republic of Moldova. Referred by law as ‘public symbols’, the personal achievements and flags are approved by a Committee (appointed by the chief of state), published in the “Official Gazette” and inscribed in a “General Armorial”. A coat of arms may have elements denoting the noble ancestry of the petitioner, based on documents. This is an interesting example of arms legally approved in our days but mirroring the social realities of past times.
Based on the information contained within the awarding decrees published in the „Official Gazette... more Based on the information contained within the awarding decrees published in the „Official Gazette”, from the installation of Petru Groza’s cabinet and until the proclamation of the republic, the study encompasses the governmental policy on bestowing the state honours to the main ‘actors’ of the pro-communist regime: high-ranking officials, people linked with the local agitprop, prominent figures of the repressive apparatus etc. The three years approached in the present study are relevant for the way the government used the royal orders and medals with the purpose to motivate and reward people who contributed more or less to the collapse of the democratic regime and to the collaboration with the Soviet oppressor. Furthermore, these years knew unprecedented abuses regarding the legal procedures for conferring a state decoration (notably handing over orders and medals without the King’s approval).
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography and based ... more Marking the 50th anniversary of the Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography and based on documents coming from Dan Cernovodeanu’s collection, the present study focuses on our predecessors’ efforts, as a part of the 1970-1972 settlement of the civic coats of arms of the socialist Romania. The study encompasses the premises that led to the acceptance of the right to use achievements by counties and municipia, the main stages of the Central Consultative Committee, the attempts to identify the optimal ways to conceive and illustrate these projects, as well as their peculiarities, from the stage of the proposal to that of the approval. The efforts of the two specialists involved in the activity of this Committee, Jean N. Mănescu and Dan Cernovodeanu, must be understood in the context of those times. As much as they were allowed, they tried to save as much as possible from the traditional background of Romanian heraldry. Overall, the coats of arms approved by Decree no. 302/1972 is a subject that, without having benefited from the constant attention of the specialized literature, remains an interesting one, both from a theoretical and artistic perspective.
Revue française d’héraldique et de sigillographie – Études en ligne, 2022
6. CERNOVODEANU, Ştiinţa… (cité n. 1), p. 173. 7. Il s'agit en premier lieu de la suppression des... more 6. CERNOVODEANU, Ştiinţa… (cité n. 1), p. 173. 7. Il s'agit en premier lieu de la suppression des privilèges de classe par l'article 46 de la Convention de Paris de 1858 : « … Les Moldaves et les Valaques seront tous égaux devant la loi, devant l'impôt, et également admissibles aux emplois publics (…). Tous les privilèges, exemptions ou monopoles dont jouissent encore certaines classes seront abolis… » (Conférence de Paris. 1858 [Convention relative à l'organisation des principautés de Moldavie et de Valachie, signée à Paris le 19 août 1858. Protocoles des séances], Paris, 1858, p. 14). En second lieu, l'inadmissibilité des titres nobiliaires est proclamée par l'article 12 de la première Constitution roumaine de 1866 : « …Les titres étrangers de noblesse, tels que princes, comtes, barons et d'autres similaires, étant contraires aux anciennes coutumes du pays, sont et restent inadmissibles dans l'
The tradition of Romanian commemorative decorations begins a century and a half ago, with the est... more The tradition of Romanian commemorative decorations begins a century and a half ago, with the establishment of the Medal “Pro virtute militari” (1860). Since then, under all forms of government, the Romanian state has established various distinctions paying homage to the birth of a personality, the beginning of a reign, political, military, economic or social events, etc. The end of the last century and the beginning of the current one meant the achievement of the national system of awards of Romania. The year 2000 was particularly favorable for the establishment of orders, medals and honorary signs. In parallel, in 2000 occurred not only the 150th anniversary of the birth of the poet Mihai Eminescu (a commemorative medal bearing his name being instituted and conferred), but also the 400th anniversary of the Union of the three Principalities, made by Michael the Brave – a historical moment having, until today, a deep symbolic significance. In the spring of 2000, wanting to properly mark the memory of this prince, a group of senators initiated a legislative project wishing to establish a commemorative medal. Unfortunately, this initiative exceeded all reasonable deadlines (given the fulfillment of the parliamentary procedures), the project being definitively rejected at the beginning of 2002.
The establishment of a democratic regime in post-communist Romania brought about, among other con... more The establishment of a democratic regime in post-communist Romania brought about, among other consequences, the development of a new system of awards. Divided into several types of orders and medals, this system has experienced several modifications and additions, ensuring its connection with the main fields of activity of today’s society. Established by Law nr. 107 of 3 July 2020 – however not yet conferred – the Order of Merit for the Promotion of Human Rights and Social Commitment is one of the Romanian civil awards for specific fields of activity. The Order covers multiple domains at once, being probably the only known award to mark such a wide range of contributions, in the name of internationally-cherished principles, such as: altruism, equity, solidarity, democracy, respect of the human rights.
Marmatia », nr. 16-17, 2019-2020, seria arheologie-istorie, 2021
This study was occasioned after identifying, in a private collection, the seal matrix bearing the... more This study was occasioned after identifying, in a private collection, the seal matrix bearing the arms of the five privileged cities of Maramureş County. Although dated 1701, two of these arms, featuring an aurochs head (of Sighet and Câmpulung-la-Tisa), have undoubtedly ancient origins. Attested through other sources, these aurochs heads are part of a series of several noble families Hungarian heraldic achievements. Also, the spread of this figure can be explained through the royal and noble chases of the aurochs (or bison), which was a feature of the eastern territories of the medieval Kingdom of Hungary. On the other hand, the presence of aurochs heads in the coats of arms of both Maramureş and Moldavia is an argument for the supposition that the founders of this Principality (and particularly prince Dragoş), brought this simbol/symbol from Maramureş. Further, the study approaches some of the main directions of the research in the field of the origins of the coat of arms of Moldavia. The already known information is systematized, confirming some prior assumptions and proposing new ones.
„Social and Administrative Elite in the Romanian Space (15th-19th Centuries)”, edited by Mihai-Bogdan Atanasiu, Cristian Ploscaru, Hartung-Gorre Publishers, Konstanz, 2021, 2021
During the fourth decade of the nineteenth century, several boyars involved in the so-called “Con... more During the fourth decade of the nineteenth century, several boyars involved in the so-called “Confederative Conspiracy” left a programmatic document, containing a long series of measures conceived for a deep reform of the Moldavian Principality. An important part of these provisions regarded the transformation of the Moldavian noble class. Besides the functions in use, the conspirers imagined a European-like hereditary nobility (with titles as prince, count and baron), as well as other institutions, having the role of increasing the power and prestige of the upper classes, as a measure of counterbalancing the authority of the Crown. These measures remained only as a project, the discovery of the conspiracy putting an end to such initiatives. It is interesting to observe the way in which the author/authors of the text corroborated various foreign sources of inspiration, in order to compose a new local noble establishment.
"VASILE ALECSANDRI - 200 de ani de la naştere (1821 -2021)" Complexul Muzeal Naţional "Moldova" Iaşi, 2020
Vasile Alecsandri: 200 de ani de la naştere / coord.: Sorin Iftimi. -Iaşi: Palatul culturii, 2020... more Vasile Alecsandri: 200 de ani de la naştere / coord.: Sorin Iftimi. -Iaşi: Palatul culturii, 2020 Conţine bibliografie ISBN 978-606-8547-50-3 I. Iftimi, Sorin (coord.) 821.135.1.09 929 Toate drepturile rezervate. Nicio parte din această publicaţie nu poate fi reprodusă sau folosită în niciun fel şi prin niciun mijloc-fotografic, electronic sau mecanic, inclusiv prin fotocopiere, înregistrare sau sisteme de stocare şi interogare a datelor -fără acordul prealabil scris al editurii şi/sau al autorului/ coordonatorului. Autorul/ Coordonatorul poartă responsabilitatea textului şi fotografiilor conţinute în această publicaţie.
The present study analyses the heraldic information contained in the novel of Ion Marin Sadoveanu... more The present study analyses the heraldic information contained in the novel of Ion Marin Sadoveanu (1893-1964), „Sfârșit de veac în București” (first edition: 1944), a remarkably accurate and colourful „fresco” of the Romanian society during the rule of King Carol I. Focusing on the social ascension of a new category (represented by the unscrupulous and intelligent character Iancu Urmatecu), the novel shows the parallel decadence of the noble class (represented by the tired and neglectful baron Barbu), the latter being overwhelmed by the „new times”and powerless to defend its social and economic position. The novel is visibly inspired by real characters and situations, the model of baron Barbu being the Romanian statesman Barbu Bellu (Bellio) (1825-1900), holder of a genuine title of Austrian baron. Heraldic details appeared constantly in the fictional text, however the author constantly inspired from the real coat of arms of the baron Bellu. Las but not least, mentions on heraldic issues are always intended to be significant, in order to underline several aspects of the relation between the two opposite „worlds”: one of the ascending homines novi, and other of the descending noblemen.
The study encompass the information published in the awarding decrees issued for the “Aeronautica... more The study encompass the information published in the awarding decrees issued for the “Aeronautical Virtue” Order and the “Aeronautical Medal”, from the moment in which Romania entered World War II, to the years which followed the peace settlement, and until the fall of the monarchy on December 30th, 1947. Including statistical information regarding the conferral of these two awards, the study also shows significant moments from the history of both the decorations, emphasizing the merits that justified their bestowing. The study refers to both the war insignia (“with swords”), and also with “peace” insignia, for militaries as well as for civilians, also for Romanians and for foreign citizens.
”Comunismul între ideologie și practică - Colocviul Național de Istorie, Ediția a XXI-a”, vol. II, Muzeul Național Cotroceni, București, 2019, 2019
Based on the information offered by the awarding decrees published in the Romanian “Official Gaze... more Based on the information offered by the awarding decrees published in the Romanian “Official Gazette”, from the installation of Petru Groza’s Cabinet and until the proclamation of the Republic, the study encompass the mutual awards which marked the Romanian-Soviet approach. Regarding the Romanian decorations offered to Soviet personalities, there are awards on the military, the political, economic and cultural grounds. In parallel, there are also Soviet awards conferred upon the Romanians, for instance those who belonged to the “Tudor Vladimirescu” Division, a military unit having a leading role in Romania’s ”Stalinization”.
Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi, s.n., Istorie, 2019
Originated in the period that preexisted the foundation of the principality, the Moldavian noble ... more Originated in the period that preexisted the foundation of the principality, the Moldavian noble class had known different periods of transformation, with complex processes of decline of the old elites and assimilation of the new ones, most of them having foreign origins. Incorporating, at least in theory, all the small or great landowners, the noble class had in its forefront several dozens of families – an oligarchy that occupied the high public dignities. Attested upon the oldest preserved documents, the noble seals were using coats of arms, following Western influences. Less developed than in the rest of Europe, the local noble heraldry had an uninterrupted evolution, also during the age of the “phanariots”. Only a part of the great noble lineages displayed coats of arms, while the armorial usage was rarely met with the lower nobility. Having interesting particularities, the local heraldry reflected the social status of the elites.
Instituted by the Decree no. 37 of January 20, 1953, “For Gallantry” Medal belonged the the first... more Instituted by the Decree no. 37 of January 20, 1953, “For Gallantry” Medal belonged the the first series of awards of the Romanian People’s Republic. Closely inspired by a Soviet decoration having the same name, “For Gallantry” Medal illustrates not only the features of the Romanian phaleristics during the early period of the republican régime, but also the political relations between Romania and the Soviet Union before and immediately after Stalin’s death. Intended to reward the militaries involved with the protection of the state borders, as well as against “diversionists, spies and other enemies of the Romanian People’s Republic”. The medal was never conferred, being revoked by the Decree no. 22 of January 15, 1958, as a part of the policy of the Romanian authorities of eradicating Stalin’s legacy.
Începută în mod oficial în vremea domniei lui Alexandru Ioan Cuza, istoria decorațiilor românești... more Începută în mod oficial în vremea domniei lui Alexandru Ioan Cuza, istoria decorațiilor românești nu se oprește la 30 decembrie 1947, moment care a marcat trecerea de la monarhie la republică. Având scopul de a oglindi jumătatea mai recentă a faleristicii românești, volumul al treilea din seria "Decoraţiile României. Legi, decrete, hotărâri şi alte acte normative" cuprinde legislaţia referitoare la distincţiile şi titlurile Republicii Populare Române și ale Republicii Socialiste România, respectiv la distincţiile şi titlurile României postdecembriste. (Din rațiuni ținând strict de procesul tipografic, materialul rezultat a fost delimitat în două părți relativ egale, separate la graniţa anilor 2002 și 2003.) Acoperind peste șapte decenii de istorie recentă a României, actele normative avute în vedere ilustrează viziunea oficială a fiecărei perioade în privința decorațiilor: impunerea unor modele sovietice la sfârșitul anilor ’40 și începutul anilor ’50; încercările de identificare a unui specific autohton de la mijlocul anilor ’60 și până în anii ’80; după decembrie 1989, înlocuirea sistemului de decorații al statului socialist cu cel actual, reglementat prin Legea nr. 29/2000 și alte acte; apariția distincțiilor specifice Ministerului Apărării Naţionale şi Ministerului Afacerilor Interne, în ultima parte a anilor 2000 etc. Volumul rezultat constituie un instrument necesar în primul rând specialiștilor, dar și tuturor celor care doresc să înțeleagă mecanismul atribuirii onorurilor de stat ale țării noastre.
The volume "At the Crossroad of Civilizations. Individuals and Families Reflected by Genealogy an... more The volume "At the Crossroad of Civilizations. Individuals and Families Reflected by Genealogy and Heraldry" offers an idea of the confluence between the Western and Eastern worlds, reflected by genealogy and heraldry, the main auxiliary sciences of history, but also by others, such as prosopography, onomastics, sphragistics, philately or numismatics. The selected articles guarantee a reference volume that aims to promote a multitude of research tracks characteristic for the Romanian space, and in a broad sense the Central-European one. Encompassing facts and people from the fifteenth century onwards, this corpus of texts ensure a better connection of the regional research with the European historiography. One may also consider that the approached subjects have been increasingly sought after by historians from other areas because of the general lack of updated information on the genealogy and heraldry of the regional elites. Most texts included in this volume were presented during the 19th Congress of Genealogy and Heraldry. Held in Iaşi between 11 and 13 May 2023, the event marked the 25th anniversary of the “Sever Zotta” Institute. In parallel, the same event also marked 300 years since the death of the scholar Dimitrie Cantemir, 175 years since the Romanian Revolution of 1848, 150 years since the death of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, the first ruler of the United Principalities, and 80 years since the establishment of the Circle of Romanian Genealogists. This volume continues the series of collections of studies revolving around heraldry and genealogy, containing nineteen texts arranged chronologically in two substantial sections, by established authors - historians, art historians, archivists, etc.
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Papers by Tudor-Radu TIRON
The present approach concerns the awarding of decorations to some representatives of the fine arts: creators, critics, collectors. These numerous awards of orders and medals have first been presented and then commented on. The great names of the visual arts stand side by side with emerging creators, in a mix that we have tried to explain in detail: who was decorated and why, who was not, and so on. The adaptation of the system of decorations of Royal Romania to the political context of that period is not without interest: from the point of view of the rulers, the impression of adherence had to be left from the top of the artistic milieu; from the artists’ point of view, being decorated meant that oneʼs art was politically correct, and that creator could carry out his work in the most normal conditions.
And yet, the motto of the Order of Cultural Merit, „Prin Cultură la Libertate” („Through Culture to Freedom”), had become meaningless: as the whole country had fallen under Soviet domination, so the Romanian art of the 1940s was also moving rapidly towards the Moscow cultural models. In fact, creative freedom had been lost, and the awards of decorations of that period only illustrated the collapse of the art world in tandem with the collapse of the state.
By exploiting document collections such as those of the Romanian Academy Library, the National Library of Romania, and the Iaşi County Service of the National Archives, the authors discovered nine documents issued by private individuals in both Moldavia and Wallachia, including 11 seal impressions made using ancient and medieval/premodern coins.
The objective of the present research is to identify as precisely as possible the types of coins used for sealing, an investigation followed by conclusions drawn from this fascinating historical endeavour.
The study reviews the main directions of genealogical research, as resulting from the specialized bibliography: collections of genealogical studies, family monographs, and other useful tools for genealogical research.
For the present study, the author selected, organized and commented on several fragments relating to the years 1930-1940, i.e. the reign of King Carol II of Romania. This resulted in a charming and unique „fresco” of the Romanian and foreign decorations from the years preceding the Second World War.
The historical research in the broadest sense, as well as the auxiliary disciplines of history, are deeply indebted to him. His interests with phaleristics are closely related with those of heraldry, sphragistics and vexillology.
These lines resulted from the materials devoted to the history of orders and medals on Romanian soil. Starting from a corpus of studies indicated by Sorin Iftimi himself, the text went through his volumes and articles, managing to cover four basic directions:
1) Radu (Rudolph) Cantacuzino and the Constantinian Order of Saint George (first half of the 18th century);
2) Notables from Moldavia and Wallachia wearing decorations, in the portraiture of the 19th-20th centuries;
3) The decorations associated with Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859‑1866);
4) Distinctions reflecting Romania’s effort during the First World War.
The present study located, highlighted, and in some places commented the phaleristic information included in the bibliography of the regretted author.
Passionate about genealogy, a field in which he left valuable studies, Dan Berindei belonged to a group of researchers in the auxiliary sciences of history. In 1971, taking advantage of a favorable political situation, this group managed to obtain the approval of the state authorities for the establishment of the Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography. Spiritus rector of the scientific activity of this Committee, Dan Berindei ensured the representation of Romania at the profile congresses organized in the West, at a time when Romanian researchers could travel less and less outside their country.
In the early 1970s, and especially after the political change of December 1989, Dan Berindei campaigned for the involvement of specialists in carrying out national and administrative-territorial heraldry. Successively vice-president and president of the Committee, he was involved in almost all the key moments that the recent Romanian heraldry went through.
Referred by law as ‘public symbols’, the personal achievements and flags are approved by a Committee (appointed by the chief of state), published in the “Official Gazette” and inscribed in a “General Armorial”.
A coat of arms may have elements denoting the noble ancestry of the petitioner, based on documents. This is an interesting example of arms legally approved in our days but mirroring the social realities of past times.
The three years approached in the present study are relevant for the way the government used the royal orders and medals with the purpose to motivate and reward people who contributed more or less to the collapse of the democratic regime and to the collaboration with the Soviet oppressor.
Furthermore, these years knew unprecedented abuses regarding the legal procedures for conferring a state decoration (notably handing over orders and medals without the King’s approval).
The study encompasses the premises that led to the acceptance of the right to use achievements by counties and municipia, the main stages of the Central Consultative Committee, the attempts to identify the optimal ways to conceive and illustrate these projects, as well as their peculiarities, from the stage of the proposal to that of the approval.
The efforts of the two specialists involved in the activity of this Committee, Jean N. Mănescu and Dan Cernovodeanu, must be understood in the context of those times. As much as they were allowed, they tried to save as much as possible from the traditional background of Romanian heraldry. Overall, the coats of arms approved by Decree no. 302/1972 is a subject that, without having benefited from the constant attention of the specialized literature, remains an interesting one, both from a theoretical and artistic perspective.
or social events, etc.
The end of the last century and the beginning of the current one meant the achievement of the national system of awards of Romania. The year 2000 was particularly favorable for the establishment of orders, medals and honorary signs.
In parallel, in 2000 occurred not only the 150th anniversary of the birth of the poet Mihai Eminescu (a commemorative medal bearing his name being instituted and conferred), but also the 400th anniversary of the Union of the three Principalities, made by Michael the Brave – a historical moment having, until today, a deep symbolic significance.
In the spring of 2000, wanting to properly mark the memory of this prince, a group of senators initiated a legislative project wishing to establish a commemorative medal. Unfortunately, this initiative exceeded all reasonable deadlines (given the fulfillment of the parliamentary procedures), the project being definitively rejected at the beginning of 2002.
activity of today’s society.
Established by Law nr. 107 of 3 July 2020 – however not yet conferred – the Order of Merit for the Promotion of Human Rights and Social Commitment is one of the Romanian civil awards for specific fields of activity.
The Order covers multiple domains at once, being probably the only known award to mark such a wide range of contributions, in the name of internationally-cherished principles, such as: altruism, equity, solidarity, democracy, respect of the human rights.
An important part of these provisions regarded the transformation of the Moldavian noble class. Besides the functions in use, the conspirers imagined a European-like hereditary nobility (with titles as prince, count and baron), as well as other institutions, having the role of increasing the power and prestige of the upper classes, as a measure of counterbalancing the authority of the Crown.
These measures remained only as a project, the discovery of the conspiracy putting an end to such initiatives. It is interesting to observe the way in which the author/authors of the text corroborated various foreign sources of inspiration, in order to compose a new local noble establishment.
Focusing on the social ascension of a new category (represented by the unscrupulous and intelligent character Iancu Urmatecu), the novel shows the parallel decadence of the noble class (represented by the tired and neglectful baron Barbu), the latter being overwhelmed by the „new times”and powerless to defend its social and economic position.
The novel is visibly inspired by real characters and situations, the model of baron Barbu being the Romanian statesman Barbu Bellu (Bellio) (1825-1900), holder of a genuine title of Austrian baron. Heraldic details appeared constantly in the fictional text, however the author constantly inspired from the real coat of arms of the baron Bellu. Las but not least,
mentions on heraldic issues are always intended to be significant, in order to underline several aspects of the relation between the two opposite „worlds”: one of the ascending homines novi, and other of the descending noblemen.
Including statistical information regarding the conferral of these two awards, the study also shows significant moments from the history of both the decorations, emphasizing the merits that justified their bestowing. The study refers to both the war insignia (“with swords”), and also with “peace” insignia, for militaries as well as for civilians, also for Romanians and for foreign citizens.
Regarding the Romanian decorations offered to Soviet personalities, there are awards on the military, the political, economic and cultural grounds.
In parallel, there are also Soviet awards conferred upon the Romanians, for instance those who belonged to the “Tudor Vladimirescu” Division, a military unit having a leading role in Romania’s ”Stalinization”.
Attested upon the oldest preserved documents, the noble seals were using coats of arms, following Western influences. Less developed than in the rest of Europe, the local noble heraldry had an uninterrupted evolution, also during the age of the “phanariots”. Only a part of the great noble lineages displayed coats of arms, while the armorial usage was rarely met with the lower nobility. Having interesting particularities, the local heraldry reflected the social status of the elites.
Intended to reward the militaries involved with the protection of the state borders, as well as against “diversionists, spies and other enemies of the Romanian People’s Republic”. The medal was never conferred, being revoked by the Decree no. 22 of January 15, 1958, as a part of the policy of the Romanian authorities of eradicating Stalin’s legacy.
The present approach concerns the awarding of decorations to some representatives of the fine arts: creators, critics, collectors. These numerous awards of orders and medals have first been presented and then commented on. The great names of the visual arts stand side by side with emerging creators, in a mix that we have tried to explain in detail: who was decorated and why, who was not, and so on. The adaptation of the system of decorations of Royal Romania to the political context of that period is not without interest: from the point of view of the rulers, the impression of adherence had to be left from the top of the artistic milieu; from the artists’ point of view, being decorated meant that oneʼs art was politically correct, and that creator could carry out his work in the most normal conditions.
And yet, the motto of the Order of Cultural Merit, „Prin Cultură la Libertate” („Through Culture to Freedom”), had become meaningless: as the whole country had fallen under Soviet domination, so the Romanian art of the 1940s was also moving rapidly towards the Moscow cultural models. In fact, creative freedom had been lost, and the awards of decorations of that period only illustrated the collapse of the art world in tandem with the collapse of the state.
By exploiting document collections such as those of the Romanian Academy Library, the National Library of Romania, and the Iaşi County Service of the National Archives, the authors discovered nine documents issued by private individuals in both Moldavia and Wallachia, including 11 seal impressions made using ancient and medieval/premodern coins.
The objective of the present research is to identify as precisely as possible the types of coins used for sealing, an investigation followed by conclusions drawn from this fascinating historical endeavour.
The study reviews the main directions of genealogical research, as resulting from the specialized bibliography: collections of genealogical studies, family monographs, and other useful tools for genealogical research.
For the present study, the author selected, organized and commented on several fragments relating to the years 1930-1940, i.e. the reign of King Carol II of Romania. This resulted in a charming and unique „fresco” of the Romanian and foreign decorations from the years preceding the Second World War.
The historical research in the broadest sense, as well as the auxiliary disciplines of history, are deeply indebted to him. His interests with phaleristics are closely related with those of heraldry, sphragistics and vexillology.
These lines resulted from the materials devoted to the history of orders and medals on Romanian soil. Starting from a corpus of studies indicated by Sorin Iftimi himself, the text went through his volumes and articles, managing to cover four basic directions:
1) Radu (Rudolph) Cantacuzino and the Constantinian Order of Saint George (first half of the 18th century);
2) Notables from Moldavia and Wallachia wearing decorations, in the portraiture of the 19th-20th centuries;
3) The decorations associated with Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859‑1866);
4) Distinctions reflecting Romania’s effort during the First World War.
The present study located, highlighted, and in some places commented the phaleristic information included in the bibliography of the regretted author.
Passionate about genealogy, a field in which he left valuable studies, Dan Berindei belonged to a group of researchers in the auxiliary sciences of history. In 1971, taking advantage of a favorable political situation, this group managed to obtain the approval of the state authorities for the establishment of the Committee of Heraldry, Genealogy and Sigillography. Spiritus rector of the scientific activity of this Committee, Dan Berindei ensured the representation of Romania at the profile congresses organized in the West, at a time when Romanian researchers could travel less and less outside their country.
In the early 1970s, and especially after the political change of December 1989, Dan Berindei campaigned for the involvement of specialists in carrying out national and administrative-territorial heraldry. Successively vice-president and president of the Committee, he was involved in almost all the key moments that the recent Romanian heraldry went through.
Referred by law as ‘public symbols’, the personal achievements and flags are approved by a Committee (appointed by the chief of state), published in the “Official Gazette” and inscribed in a “General Armorial”.
A coat of arms may have elements denoting the noble ancestry of the petitioner, based on documents. This is an interesting example of arms legally approved in our days but mirroring the social realities of past times.
The three years approached in the present study are relevant for the way the government used the royal orders and medals with the purpose to motivate and reward people who contributed more or less to the collapse of the democratic regime and to the collaboration with the Soviet oppressor.
Furthermore, these years knew unprecedented abuses regarding the legal procedures for conferring a state decoration (notably handing over orders and medals without the King’s approval).
The study encompasses the premises that led to the acceptance of the right to use achievements by counties and municipia, the main stages of the Central Consultative Committee, the attempts to identify the optimal ways to conceive and illustrate these projects, as well as their peculiarities, from the stage of the proposal to that of the approval.
The efforts of the two specialists involved in the activity of this Committee, Jean N. Mănescu and Dan Cernovodeanu, must be understood in the context of those times. As much as they were allowed, they tried to save as much as possible from the traditional background of Romanian heraldry. Overall, the coats of arms approved by Decree no. 302/1972 is a subject that, without having benefited from the constant attention of the specialized literature, remains an interesting one, both from a theoretical and artistic perspective.
or social events, etc.
The end of the last century and the beginning of the current one meant the achievement of the national system of awards of Romania. The year 2000 was particularly favorable for the establishment of orders, medals and honorary signs.
In parallel, in 2000 occurred not only the 150th anniversary of the birth of the poet Mihai Eminescu (a commemorative medal bearing his name being instituted and conferred), but also the 400th anniversary of the Union of the three Principalities, made by Michael the Brave – a historical moment having, until today, a deep symbolic significance.
In the spring of 2000, wanting to properly mark the memory of this prince, a group of senators initiated a legislative project wishing to establish a commemorative medal. Unfortunately, this initiative exceeded all reasonable deadlines (given the fulfillment of the parliamentary procedures), the project being definitively rejected at the beginning of 2002.
activity of today’s society.
Established by Law nr. 107 of 3 July 2020 – however not yet conferred – the Order of Merit for the Promotion of Human Rights and Social Commitment is one of the Romanian civil awards for specific fields of activity.
The Order covers multiple domains at once, being probably the only known award to mark such a wide range of contributions, in the name of internationally-cherished principles, such as: altruism, equity, solidarity, democracy, respect of the human rights.
An important part of these provisions regarded the transformation of the Moldavian noble class. Besides the functions in use, the conspirers imagined a European-like hereditary nobility (with titles as prince, count and baron), as well as other institutions, having the role of increasing the power and prestige of the upper classes, as a measure of counterbalancing the authority of the Crown.
These measures remained only as a project, the discovery of the conspiracy putting an end to such initiatives. It is interesting to observe the way in which the author/authors of the text corroborated various foreign sources of inspiration, in order to compose a new local noble establishment.
Focusing on the social ascension of a new category (represented by the unscrupulous and intelligent character Iancu Urmatecu), the novel shows the parallel decadence of the noble class (represented by the tired and neglectful baron Barbu), the latter being overwhelmed by the „new times”and powerless to defend its social and economic position.
The novel is visibly inspired by real characters and situations, the model of baron Barbu being the Romanian statesman Barbu Bellu (Bellio) (1825-1900), holder of a genuine title of Austrian baron. Heraldic details appeared constantly in the fictional text, however the author constantly inspired from the real coat of arms of the baron Bellu. Las but not least,
mentions on heraldic issues are always intended to be significant, in order to underline several aspects of the relation between the two opposite „worlds”: one of the ascending homines novi, and other of the descending noblemen.
Including statistical information regarding the conferral of these two awards, the study also shows significant moments from the history of both the decorations, emphasizing the merits that justified their bestowing. The study refers to both the war insignia (“with swords”), and also with “peace” insignia, for militaries as well as for civilians, also for Romanians and for foreign citizens.
Regarding the Romanian decorations offered to Soviet personalities, there are awards on the military, the political, economic and cultural grounds.
In parallel, there are also Soviet awards conferred upon the Romanians, for instance those who belonged to the “Tudor Vladimirescu” Division, a military unit having a leading role in Romania’s ”Stalinization”.
Attested upon the oldest preserved documents, the noble seals were using coats of arms, following Western influences. Less developed than in the rest of Europe, the local noble heraldry had an uninterrupted evolution, also during the age of the “phanariots”. Only a part of the great noble lineages displayed coats of arms, while the armorial usage was rarely met with the lower nobility. Having interesting particularities, the local heraldry reflected the social status of the elites.
Intended to reward the militaries involved with the protection of the state borders, as well as against “diversionists, spies and other enemies of the Romanian People’s Republic”. The medal was never conferred, being revoked by the Decree no. 22 of January 15, 1958, as a part of the policy of the Romanian authorities of eradicating Stalin’s legacy.
Acoperind peste șapte decenii de istorie recentă a României, actele normative avute în vedere ilustrează viziunea oficială a fiecărei perioade în privința decorațiilor: impunerea unor modele sovietice la sfârșitul anilor ’40 și începutul anilor ’50; încercările de identificare a unui specific autohton de la mijlocul anilor ’60 și până în anii ’80; după decembrie 1989, înlocuirea sistemului de decorații al statului socialist cu cel actual, reglementat prin Legea nr. 29/2000 și alte acte; apariția distincțiilor specifice Ministerului Apărării Naţionale şi Ministerului Afacerilor Interne, în ultima parte a anilor 2000 etc.
Volumul rezultat constituie un instrument necesar în primul rând specialiștilor, dar și tuturor celor care doresc să înțeleagă mecanismul atribuirii onorurilor de stat ale țării noastre.
This volume continues the series of collections of studies revolving around heraldry and genealogy, containing nineteen texts arranged chronologically in two substantial sections, by established authors - historians, art historians, archivists, etc.