Rabensage von Merseburg

According to legend, under his reigning, in the 15th century, Bishop Thilo von Trotha had a gold signet ring, a gift from his friend, the Bishop of Naumburg. One morning he left it on the windowsill and noticed after a short absence the loss of the ring. In his anger, he accused his longtime servant of theft. Although the servant protested his innocence, he had him executed.   
After a stormy night, the headliner at one of the towers of the castle had to be replaced,. High above,  the signet ring of Bishop was discovered in a Rabennest. Thus, the innocence of the faithful servant was proved, and Thilo von Trotha was a reminder to pass judgment in anger, a magnificent birdcage was  erected in the courtyard with a raven in it.


For a reminder, never to bow in anger, Thilo von Trotha did take a raven in captivity. From remorse, he changed his family crest and took a raven with a golden ring in its beak in his shield.

A pair of ravens is today still kept in the cage. 

Watercolor and ink on Moleskine Notebook, cold-pressed, grain moyen, 13x21cm, 200g/m2