Der Bär – das Wappentier der Stadt Esens

The Bear – the Coat of Arms of the City of Esens When the city of Esens was once again besieged by enemy troops in the Middle Ages, a traveling musician and his dancing bear happened to be inside the city walls. The military conflict lasted for quite some time, but the town—fortified with walls, moats, and city gates—withstood all attacks. So the enemy shifted their strategy to cutting off supply routes and attempted to starve the town into submission.
When the situation was at its most desperate and surrender was only a matter of a few hours away, the bear—which had been locked up until then—accidentally broke free, climbed onto the tower of a city gate while roaring with hunger, and began hurling stones
in all directions. The enemies drew the false conclusion that the people of Esense
still had enough provisions to even feed a bear. They lifted the siege; the city was saved.
In gratitude, the bear became the heraldic animal of Esense.