Heraldic flag

{{Short description|Flag containing coat of arms or heraldic badge}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} [[File:Banners of Knights of the Thistle.jpg|250px|thumb|Banners of [[Knights of the Thistle]] displayed in [[St. Giles' Cathedral]]]]

In [[heraldry]] and [[vexillology]], a '''heraldic flag''' is a [[flag]] containing [[coat of arms|coats of arms]], [[heraldic badge]]s, or other devices used for personal identification.

Heraldic flags include '''banners, standards, pennons''' and their variants, '''gonfalons''', '''guidons''', and '''pinsels'''. Specifications governing heraldic flags vary from country to country, and have varied over time.

==Types== ===Pennon=== {{main|Pennon}} The '''pennon''' or '''pennant''' is a small elongated flag, either pointed or swallow-tailed (when swallow-tailed it may be described as a [[banderole]]{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=312}}). It was charged with the [[heraldic badge]] or some other armorial ensign of the owner, and displayed on his own lance, as a personal ensign. The ''pennoncelle'' was a modification of the pennon.<ref name="Boutell">{{harvnb|Boutell|1914|pp=246–251}}</ref>

In contemporary Scots usage, the pennon is 120 cm (four feet) in length. It tapers either to a point or to a rounded end as the owner chooses. It is assigned by the [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]] to any armiger who wishes to apply for it.<ref name="lyonflag">{{harvnb|''lyon-court.org''}}</ref>

===Banner=== {{main|Banner of arms}} [[File:Funeral Elisabeth.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Heraldic banners at the funeral of [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]]. The queen's casket is escorted by mourners bearing the banners of her ancestors' arms marshalled with the arms of their wives.<ref>From a manuscript of 1603.</ref>]]

The '''banner of arms''', also simply called '''banner''', is square or oblong and larger than the pennon, bearing the entire coat of arms of the owner, composed precisely as upon a shield but in a square or rectangular shape.<ref name="Boutell" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://flagspot.net/flags/vxt-dv-b.html#bannerofarms|title=Flags of the World: Dictionary of Vexillology: B (Backing - Banner of Victory): Banner of arms|website=[[Flags of the World (website)|Flags of the World]]|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref>

{{blockquote|In the olden time, when a Knight had distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry, it was the custom to mark his meritorious conduct by prompt advancement on the very field of battle. In such a case, the point or points of the good Knight's Pennon were rent off, and thus the ... small Flag was reduced to the square form of the Banner, by which thenceforth he was to be distinguished| Charles Boutell, ''The Handbook to English Heraldry''<ref name="Boutell" />}}

The banners of members of [[Order of chivalry|Orders of Chivalry]] are typically displayed in the Order's chapel. Banners of Knights of the [[Order of the Thistle]] are hung in the 1911 chapel of the Order in [[St Giles Cathedral|St Giles High Kirk]] in [[Edinburgh]].{{sfn|Burnett|Hodgson|2001|pp=6–7}} [[Order of the Garter#Garter banners in St George's Chapel|Banners of Knights]] of the [[Order of the Garter]] are displayed in [[St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle]]. From Victorian times Garter banners have been approximately {{convert|5x5|ft|m|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Johnston|2011}}

Banners became available to all English armigers as a result of a report by Garter to the Earl Marshal dated 29 January 1906. The report stated that the size of a banner for Esquires and Gentlemen should be considered in the future.<ref name="Garter Woodcock 2011">{{harvnb|Woodcock|2011}}</ref> Until that date, they were available to all noblemen and knights banneret.<ref>{{harvnb|Berry|1830|p={{page needed|date=July 2016}} }}</ref> In 2011, Garter Woodcock said that the banner for an Esquire or Gentleman should be the same size as a Marquess's and those of a lower rank down to Knight, that is, {{convert|3x3|ft|cm|sigfig=1|order=flip|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Garter Woodcock 2011"/>

In [[Scotland]], the size of personal banners, excluding any fringes, are specified by the [[Lord Lyon]].<ref name="lyonflag"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-26 |title=The Court of the Lord Lyon - Further Guidance on Flags |url=http://www.lyon-court.org/lordlyon/375.html |access-date=2023-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226183638/http://www.lyon-court.org/lordlyon/375.html |archive-date=26 December 2019 }}</ref>{{sfn|Bartram|2004|p=73}} {| |+ <big>'''Scottish banners'''</big> |- |'''Rank''' ||− '''Shape''' ||− '''Size''' |- |The Sovereign||− square||− 1.50 metres |- |[[Duke]]s||− square||− 1.25 metres |- |[[Marquess]]es and [[Earl]]s||− square||− 1.10 metres |- |[[Viscount]]s and [[Baron]]s||− square||− 1.00 metres |- |[[Baronet]]s and [[Prescriptive Barony|feudal Barons]]||− square||− 0.90 metres |- |Other [[armiger]]s||− oblong||− 0.85 metres high x 0.70 metres wide<ref name="lyonflag"/>{{sfn|Bartram|2004|p=73}} |} {{clear}}

===Heraldic standard=== {{Further|List of royal standards|Presidential standard}}

[[File:Stafford flag.png|thumb|330px|Standard of Sir Henry de Stafford, about 1475, features the [[Stafford knot]] and [[Bohun swan]] [[heraldic badge]]s differenced with a ''crescent gules'' for [[cadency]]. The standard bears the [[Saint George's Cross|Cross of Saint George]] for England. Black and red (''sable and gules'') were Sir Henry's livery colours.{{sfn|Boutell|1914|p=251}}]] [[File:Flag of Early Medieval Kingdom of Leon.svg|thumb|right|330px|Standard of the [[Kingdom of León|Leonese Monarchs]] during the Middle Ages (until the 13th century). It is one of the oldest heraldic flags, and the documentation for the colours dates from {{Circa|1150}}.<ref name=" Chronicle">{{harvnb|Lipskey|1972|p={{page needed|date=July 2016}} }}</ref>]] [[File:Standard of Macdonald of Sleat.svg|thumb|330px|An example of a standard suitable for a Scottish [[baronet]] (who is, in this case, also the [[Scottish clan chief|chief]] of [[Clan MacDonald of Sleat]])]]

The '''heraldic standard''' appeared around the middle of the fourteenth century, and it was in general use by personages of high rank during the two following centuries. The standard appears to have been adopted for the special purpose of displaying [[badge]]s. "The badge was worn on his livery by a servant as retainer, and consequently the standard by which he mustered in camp was of the livery colours, and bore the badge, with both of which the retainer was familiar."<ref name="Boutell" />

Heraldic flags that are used by individuals, like a monarch or president, as a means of identification are often called 'standards' (e.g. royal standard). These flags, usually [[#Banner|banners]], are not standards in a strict heraldic sense but have come to be known as such. The heraldic standard is not rectangular – it tapers, usually from {{convert|4|to|2|ft|cm|-1|order=flip|abbr=on}}, and the [[flag terminology|fly]] edge is rounded (lanceolate). In England, any armiger who has been granted a badge is entitled to fly a standard.

The medieval English standard was larger than the other flags, and its size varied with the owner's rank. The [[Cross of Saint George]] usually appeared next to the staff, and the rest of the field was generally divided ''per fess'' (horizontally) into two colours, in most cases the livery colours of the owner. "With some principal figure or device occupying a prominent position, various badges are displayed over the whole field, a [[motto]], which is placed bend-wise, having divided the standard into compartments. The edges are fringed throughout, and the extremity is sometimes swallow-tailed, and sometimes rounded."<ref name="Boutell" /> The [[Royal standards of England]] were used by the kings of England as a headquarters symbol for their armies. Modern usage of the heraldic standard includes the flag of the [[Master Gunner, St James's Park]]<ref>{{cite web|title=United Kingdom - Army Flags|url=http://flags.net/UNKG06.htm|website=flags.net|access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref> and the flag of the [[Port of London Authority]] (used by the chairman and the Vice Chairman).<ref>{{cite web|title=United Kingdom - Civilian Marine Services|url=http://flags.net/UNKG13.htm|website=flags.net|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref>

The [[Oriflamme]] was the [[battle standard]] of the [[King of France]] during the [[Middle Ages]].

In [[Scotland]], a standard requires a separate grant by the [[Lord Lyon]]. Such a grant is made only if certain conditions are met.

The length of the standard depends upon one's [[Peerage|noble rank]].<ref name="lyonflag"/>{{sfn|Bartram|2004|p=72}}

{| |+ <big>'''Scottish standards'''</big> |- |'''Rank''' ||− '''Length''' |- |The Sovereign||− 7.0 m (previously specified as 8 yards) |- |[[Duke]]s||− 6.5 m (previously specified as 7 yards) |- |[[Marquess]]es||− 6.0 m (previously specified as 6.5 yards) |- |[[Earl]]s||− 5.5 m (previously specified as 6 yards) |- |[[Viscount]]s||− 5.0 m (previously specified as 5.5 yards) |- |[[Baron]]s||− 4.5 m (previously specified as 5 yards) |- |[[Baronet]]s||− 4.0 m (previously specified as 4.5 yards) |- |[[Knight]]s and [[Prescriptive Barony|Feudal Barons]]||− 3.5 m (previously specified as 4 yards)<ref name="lyonflag"/>{{sfn|Bartram|2004|p=72}} |}

===Banderole=== {{main|Banderole}}

A '''banderole''' ([[French language|Fr.]] for a "little banner"), has both a literal descriptive meaning for its use by knights and ships, and is also heraldic device for representing bishops.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=312}}

[[File:Royal Banner of Denmark (14th Century).svg|thumb|160px|Royal Banner of the King of Denmark in the 14th century, based on the [[Coat of arms of Denmark|Royal Arms of Denmark]]]] ===Gonfalone=== {{main|Gonfalone}}

A '''gonfalone''' or '''gonfalon''' is a vertically hung banner emblazoned with a coat of arms. Gonfalons have wide use in civic, religious, and academic heraldry. The term originated in [[Florence]], [[Italy]], where communities, or neighborhoods, traditionally displayed ''gonfaloni'' in public ceremonies.

=== Guidon ===  The Scots '''guidon''' is similar in shape to the standard and pennon. At 2.40 m (previously specified as 8 feet) long, it is smaller than the standard and twice the size of the pennon. Guidons are assigned by the Lord Lyon to those individuals who qualify for a grant of supporters to their Arms and to other individuals who have a following such as individuals who occupy a position of leadership or a long-term official position commanding the loyalty of more than a handful of people. The Guidon tapers to a round, unsplit end at the fly.<ref name="lyonflag"/>

A guidon can also refer to a cavalry troop's banner, such as that which survived the Custer massacre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/40608795/ns/us_news-life/#.USl8s1f_rOc|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411112311/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/40608795/ns/us_news-life/%23.USl8s1f_rOc|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2013|title=Custer's 'Last Flag' sells for $2.2 million|date=10 December 2010|website=[[NBC News]]|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref>

=== Pinsel === The Scottish '''pinsel''' is triangular in shape, 60 cm (previously specified as 2 feet) high at the hoist and 135 cm (previously specified as 4.5 feet) in width tapering to a point. This is the flag denoting a person to whom a [[Scottish clan|Clan]] Chief has delegated authority for a particular occasion, such as a [[clan gathering]] when the Chief is absent. This flag is allotted only to Chiefs or very special Chieftain-Barons for practical use, and only upon the specific authority of the Lord Lyon King of Arms.<ref name="lyonflag"/>

==See also== {{Portal|Heraldry and Vexillology}} {{Commons category|Heraldic banners}} {{Commons category|Heraldic flags}}

{{div col}} *[[Order of the Garter#Garter banners in St George's Chapel|Banners of the members of the Garter]] *[[Flag of Cambodia#Royal standard|Royal standard of Cambodia]] * [[Royal standards of Canada]] ** [[Flag of the governor general of Canada]] ** [[Flags of the lieutenant governors of Canada]] * [[Royal Standard of Norway]] * [[Royal Standard of Spain#Historical standards, guidons and banners of arms of Spanish monarchs|Royal Standard of Spain]] * [[Royal Standard (United Kingdom)|Royal Standard of the United Kingdom]] * [[Royal standards of England]] **[[Royal Banner of England]] **[[Royal Banner of Scotland]] * [[Oriflamme]] *[[Coat of arms of Sweden#Personal Command Sign of H.M. the King|Personal Command Sign of the Swedish Monarch]] * [[Royal Standard of Thailand]] * [[King's Flag for Australia]] ** [[Flag of the governor-general of Australia]] ** [[Flags of the governors of the Australian states]] * [[Queen's Personal New Zealand Flag]] ** [[Flag of the governor-general of New Zealand]] * Japanese heraldic banners: ** [[Fūrinkazan]] ** [[Hata-jirushi]] ** [[Nobori]] ** [[Sashimono]] ** [[Uma-jirushi]] {{div col end}}

==Notes== {{Reflist}}

==References== *{{cite book |last1=Bartram |first1=Graham |title=British Flags & Emblems |location=East Linton, Scotland |publisher=[[The Flag Institute and Tuckwell Press]] |year=2004 |isbn=1-86232-297-X}} *{{cite book|last=Berry |first=W. |year=1830 |title=Encyclopaedia heraldica or complete dictionary of heraldry |volume=1 |location=London |publisher=Sherwood, Gilbert & Piper}} *{{cite book|last=Boutell |first=Charles |title=The Handbook to English Heraldry |editor-first=A. C.|editor-last=Fox-Davies |editor-link=Arthur Charles Fox-Davies |edition=11th |publisher=Reeves & Turner |location=London |year=1914 |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23186}} *{{cite book |last1=Burnett |first1=C.J. |last2=Hodgson |first2=L. |title=Stall Plates of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle in the Chapel of the Order within St Giles' Cathedral, The High Kirk of Edinburgh |location=Edinburgh |publisher=[[Heraldry Society of Scotland]] |year=2001 |isbn=0-9525258-3-6}} *{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Banderole |volume=3 |page=312}} *{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=L. |year=2011 |title=Emperor Akihito and the heraldic achievements of the Garter |url=http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/archives/blog/?tag=order-of-the-garter}} *{{cite web |last=Lipskey |first=Glenn Edgard |year=1972 |title=The Chronicle of Alfonso the Emperor, The Poem of Almeria |url=http://libro.uca.edu/lipskey/chronicle.htm |access-date= 15 December 2014}} * {{cite web |ref={{sfnref | lyon-court.org}} |title=The Court of the Lord Lyon - Further Guidance on Flags |website=lyon-court.org |url=http://www.lyon-court.org/lordlyon/375.html |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226183638/http://www.lyon-court.org/lordlyon/375.html |url-status=dead }} *{{cite web |last=Woodcock |author-link=Thomas Woodcock (officer of arms) |first=T |url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/contact-us/directory/2-garter-king-of-arms |title=Garter King of Arms |year=2011 |work=[[College of Arms]] |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425001639/https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/contact-us/directory/2-garter-king-of-arms |url-status=dead }} Personal communication dated 23 December 2011.{{full citation needed|date=July 2013}}

'''Attribution''' {{Boutell 1914}}

==Further reading== *{{cite book |last=Fox-Davies |first=Arthur Charles |title=The Art of Heraldry |title-link=The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopædia of Armory|orig-year=1904 |edition=facsimile |publisher=Arno Press |year=1976}} *{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Phil |date=1 February 2010 |url=http://flagspot.net/flags/vxt-dv-b.html##banderole |title=Banderole |work=Dictionary of heraldic terms}} *{{cite book|author=OED staff |date=September 2011 |chapter=banderol[e] | bandrol | bannerol, n. |edition=Second 1989; online version September 2011.|chapter-url=http://oed.com/view/Entry/15140 |title=[[Oxford English Dictionary]] }} Earlier version first published in New English Dictionary, 1885.

[[Category:Personal flags| ]] [[Category:Heraldry|Flag]]