Why does the Corps Hansea Bonn hold such a revered position in Bonn’s academic history? The Corps Hansea Bonn stands as a testament to the rich traditions of German student associations. It has a captivating history that spans over a century.
The Corps Hansea Bonn is a farbentragende und pflichtschlagende Studentenverbindung. This translates to a color-wearing and compulsory-fencing student association. This gives you a glimpse into the traditions upheld here. The Corps is also a member of the Kösener Senioren-Convents-Verband, a prestigious umbrella organization.
Let’s step back in time. A first corps named Hansea was founded on January 18, 1838. Its colors were red-white-red with silver percussion. This initial group emerged from a connection of students from Cologne. Some members joined Hansea. Others joined Corps Palatia Bonn. Hansea I suspended its activities in the autumn of 1844. Despite its short lifespan, it was considered a complete and recognized corps.
Political changes stirred the student body. More liberal corps students left Palatia. They founded the new Corps Hansea on July 11, 1849. This new Corps Hansea Bonn had no direct connection to the original. However, it consciously adopted the coat of arms and motto of the original Hansea. The colors were changed to white-red-white. The founding date was not adopted. This decision was due to open invoices from the old Hansea. Continuity exists. Some older members were adopted into the new corps.
The Corps Hansea Bonn joined the Kösener Senioren-Convents-Verband on April 30, 1856. In the same year, Hansea provided Peter Hanstein. He was chairman of the Greifswald oKC. The Corps was suspended from November 15, 1871, to April 29, 1874. Active operations were suspended on December 8, 1918, due to the Allied occupation of the Rhineland. Operations resumed on May 1, 1919.
In 1926, Hansea itself was the presiding Vorortcorps. Julius Stockhausen directed the oKC. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, members came from factory and industrial families. These included Oetker, Langen, Borsig, and Zapp. Hansea suspended its activities on October 20, 1935, after the KSCV disbanded. The alumni association was reactivated on September 12, 1948. Hansea reconstituted on March 21, 1953, within the KSCV.
The Couleur of the Corps Hansea Bonn includes the colors white-red-white. These colors are derived from the Hanseatic flags. The colors feature silver percussion. A red Stürmer is worn. The fox ribbon is white-red with silver percussion.
The motto of the Corps Hansea Bonn is “Recte facienti nihil timendum.” It means “He who does what is right has nothing to fear”. The coat of arms motto is “Ehre und Recht” which translates to “Honor and Law”.
Hansea is part of the green circle. It has been friends with Corps Pomerania Greifswald since 1855. It is also friends with Corps Franconia München since 1857. Hansea has maintained an iron cartel with Corps Teutonia Gießen since 1852. It was also friends with Corps Rhenania Straßburg until its suspension.
The Corps Hansea Bonn has produced many notable members. They include Heinrich Antoine-Feill, a lawyer and patron in Hamburg. Ernst von Borsig, of Borsigwerke. Also, Paul Brandt, President in Koblenz. These members have left their mark on history.
The Corps Hansea Bonn stands as a living link. It connects generations of students. Its traditions and values continue to shape the lives of its members.