18th century etching showing Lake Bled and surrounding area with Bled Castle atop the hill on the right. Bled (German: Valdes) was a possession of the prince-bishops of Brixen for 800 years. The coat of arms is that of the ruling prince-bishop. The text underneath the coat of arms refers to the donation of German king Henry II who ceded Bled to Bishop Alguin of Brixen in the early 11th century.