Commonwealth flags
Encyclopedia
There was a variety of flags flown by ships of the Commonwealth of England
and the The Protectorate
during the period of interregnum
of 1649-1660.
At sea, royalist ships continued to fly the Union Jack of 1606, while the parliamentary navy on 22 February 1649 was ordered by the Council of State
(signed by Oliver Cromwell on 23 February) "that the ships at sea in service of the State shall onely beare the red Crosse in a white flag" (viz., the flag of England
).
On 5 March 1649 the Council ordered "that the Flagg that is to be borne by the Admiral, Vice-Admiral, and Rere-Admiral be that now presented, viz., the Armes of England and Ireland in two severall Escotcheons in a Red Flagg, within a compartment."
A sole surviving example of a naval flag following this description is kept by the National Maritime Museum
, Greenwich, all others falling victim to the destruction of Commonwealth symbols at the Restoration of Charles II.
Scotland was formally reunited with England
in 1654. According to Perrin (1922), the saltire of Scotland did not reappear on naval flags until 1658.
Cromwell's personal standard as Lord Protector became the 'Standard for the General of his Highnesse fleet' in 1658, while the Cross-and-Harp jack was replaced by the "Protectorate Jack", consisting of the old Union Jack with the addition of the Irish Harp at the center.
Commonwealth of England
The Commonwealth of England was the republic which ruled first England, and then Ireland and Scotland from 1649 to 1660. Between 1653–1659 it was known as the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland...
and the The Protectorate
The Protectorate
In British history, the Protectorate was the period 1653–1659 during which the Commonwealth of England was governed by a Lord Protector.-Background:...
during the period of interregnum
Interregnum
An interregnum is a period of discontinuity or "gap" in a government, organization, or social order...
of 1649-1660.
At sea, royalist ships continued to fly the Union Jack of 1606, while the parliamentary navy on 22 February 1649 was ordered by the Council of State
Council of State
The Council of State is a unique governmental body in a country or subdivision thereoff, though its nature may range from the formal name for the cabinet to a non-executive advisory body surrounding a head of state. It is sometimes regarded as the equivalent of a privy council.-Modern:*Belgian...
(signed by Oliver Cromwell on 23 February) "that the ships at sea in service of the State shall onely beare the red Crosse in a white flag" (viz., the flag of England
Flag of England
The Flag of England is the St George's Cross . The red cross appeared as an emblem of England during the Middle Ages and the Crusades and is one of the earliest known emblems representing England...
).
On 5 March 1649 the Council ordered "that the Flagg that is to be borne by the Admiral, Vice-Admiral, and Rere-Admiral be that now presented, viz., the Armes of England and Ireland in two severall Escotcheons in a Red Flagg, within a compartment."
A sole surviving example of a naval flag following this description is kept by the National Maritime Museum
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
, Greenwich, all others falling victim to the destruction of Commonwealth symbols at the Restoration of Charles II.
Scotland was formally reunited with England
The Protectorate
In British history, the Protectorate was the period 1653–1659 during which the Commonwealth of England was governed by a Lord Protector.-Background:...
in 1654. According to Perrin (1922), the saltire of Scotland did not reappear on naval flags until 1658.
Cromwell's personal standard as Lord Protector became the 'Standard for the General of his Highnesse fleet' in 1658, while the Cross-and-Harp jack was replaced by the "Protectorate Jack", consisting of the old Union Jack with the addition of the Irish Harp at the center.
External links
- http://flagspot.net/flags/gb-inter.html
- http://www.vexilla-mundi.com/