The city used in the Middle Ages seals which showed Charlemagne on a throne. The oldest seals date from the 12th century, and the same picture was used until the 16th century. In the 16th century the Imperial eagle appeared as the city's arms. They have not changed through the years, except during the Napoleonic era. From 1811-1817 the arms showed a globe flanked by four eagles. In a head there were the three bees of a (French) Imperial city.