to feed a bear, they must have plenty to feed themselves and as the spectacle of the roaring bear unsettled them, they called off the siege and returned to Bremen. In gratitude, the people of Esens immortalised the bear in their city's coat of arms (later also incorporated into the arms of East Frisia and of Wittmund (district)). Quotations Balthasar Oomkens von Esens' motto was inscribed on a window-pane in Esens castle: "Wer das wol doht, der ist hochgeboren; Sonder doghede ist de adel verloren." (Who serves the common weal is nobly born; Without right actions, nobility is forlorn.") Note: Alternative spellings/versions of his name are common, e.g.: Baltzer, Baldassar, etc. References Ubbo Emmius, Rerum Frisicarum Historia, Leiden 1616 H. Perizonius, Geschichte Ostfrieslands, Weener 1868 G. A. von Halem, Geschichte des Herzogtums Oldenburg, Bremen 1794; Allgemeine/Neue Deutsche Biographie Biographisches Lexikon für Ostfriesland Anonymous, Chronika van den Groten Daden der Graven van Oldenborch, circa 1537, published by Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 1993. Year of birth missing 1540 deaths People from Wittmund (district) Balthasar Frisian warriors East Frisians German untitled nobility German pirates