Flag of the City of London
Encyclopedia
The flag of the City of London
is based on the flag of England
, having a centred red
St George's Cross
on a white
background, with the red sword
in the upper hoist canton
(the top left quarter). The sword is believed to represent the sword that beheaded Saint Paul who is the patron saint
of the city. The sword always faces upwards, when the flag is held on its side as a banner, the sword would be printed to face hoist and would be located on the left as it is hanging down.
This flag does not represent Greater London
(which does not have its own flag, aside from the flag of the former Greater London Council
), only the historical City of London
which covers approximately 1 square miles (2.6 km²). All references in this article relate to that city, not Greater London, unless specified.
of the city. Saint Paul has featured as a symbol of the city since about the 13th century, however his full figure representation was rapidly replaced with just his symbolic representation of the sword. However some believe the sword is a dagger
that commemorates the dagger of Sir William Walworth
, former Lord Mayor of London
, which killed Wat Tyler
, leader of the Peasants' Revolt
, in 1381.
However this is believed to be a fable, with the sword on the arms being used several months before the killing of Wat Tyler (Tyler being stabbed in June, and the Arms being designed in April).
The earliest mention of the city's coat of arms was on 17 April 1381 when the old seal was deemed "ill-befitting
the honour of the City" and a replacement commissioned by Walworth. Both Saint Paul and Saint Thomas Becket featured in the previous design and were carried over to the new one similar to the modern design.
(the seat of power in the city) and Mansion House
, the official residence
of the Lord Mayor of London
(the Lord Mayor has a variant of the flag, defaced with his coat of arms). It can also be seen on sites administered by the City of London Corporation (the governing body of the city) such as the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow Airport and Hampstead Heath
. It can also be seen on certain landmarks, such as the bridges maintained by the Bridge House Estates
.
The flag is used on the one pound coin
design of 2010.
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
is based on 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...
, having a centred red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
St George's Cross
St George's Cross
St George's Cross is a red cross on a white background used as a symbolic reference to Saint George. The red cross on white was associated with St George from medieval times....
on a white
White
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
background, with the red sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
in the upper hoist canton
Flag terminology
Flag terminology is a jargon used in vexillology, the study of flags, to describe precisely the parts, patterns, and other attributes of flags and their display.-Description of standard flag parts and terms:...
(the top left quarter). The sword is believed to represent the sword that beheaded Saint Paul who is the patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the city. The sword always faces upwards, when the flag is held on its side as a banner, the sword would be printed to face hoist and would be located on the left as it is hanging down.
This flag does not represent Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
(which does not have its own flag, aside from the flag of the former Greater London Council
Greater London Council
The Greater London Council was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council which had covered a much smaller area...
), only the historical City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
which covers approximately 1 square miles (2.6 km²). All references in this article relate to that city, not Greater London, unless specified.
Symbolism and history
The flag derives from the city's coat of arms with the sword symbolising the sword that beheaded Saint Paul who is the patron saintPatron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the city. Saint Paul has featured as a symbol of the city since about the 13th century, however his full figure representation was rapidly replaced with just his symbolic representation of the sword. However some believe the sword is a dagger
Dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
that commemorates the dagger of Sir William Walworth
William Walworth
Sir William Walworth , was twice Lord Mayor of London . He is best known for killing Wat Tyler.His family came from Durham...
, former Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
, which killed Wat Tyler
Wat Tyler
Walter "Wat" Tyler was a leader of the English Peasants' Revolt of 1381.-Early life:Knowledge of Tyler's early life is very limited, and derives mostly through the records of his enemies. Historians believe he was born in Essex, but are not sure why he crossed the Thames Estuary to Kent...
, leader of the Peasants' Revolt
Peasants' Revolt
The Peasants' Revolt, Wat Tyler's Rebellion, or the Great Rising of 1381 was one of a number of popular revolts in late medieval Europe and is a major event in the history of England. Tyler's Rebellion was not only the most extreme and widespread insurrection in English history but also the...
, in 1381.
However this is believed to be a fable, with the sword on the arms being used several months before the killing of Wat Tyler (Tyler being stabbed in June, and the Arms being designed in April).
The earliest mention of the city's coat of arms was on 17 April 1381 when the old seal was deemed "ill-befitting
the honour of the City" and a replacement commissioned by Walworth. Both Saint Paul and Saint Thomas Becket featured in the previous design and were carried over to the new one similar to the modern design.
Usage
The flag flies from various buildings in the city such as formal buildings including GuildhallGuildhall, London
The Guildhall is a building in the City of London, off Gresham and Basinghall streets, in the wards of Bassishaw and Cheap. It has been used as a town hall for several hundred years, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London and its Corporation...
(the seat of power in the city) and Mansion House
Mansion House, London
Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London in London, England. It is used for some of the City of London's official functions, including an annual dinner, hosted by the Lord Mayor, at which the Chancellor of the Exchequer customarily gives a speech – his...
, the official residence
Official residence
An official residence is the residence at which heads of state, heads of government, gubernatorial or other senior figures officially reside...
of the Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
(the Lord Mayor has a variant of the flag, defaced with his coat of arms). It can also be seen on sites administered by the City of London Corporation (the governing body of the city) such as the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow Airport and Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is a large, ancient London park, covering . This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London clay...
. It can also be seen on certain landmarks, such as the bridges maintained by the Bridge House Estates
Bridge House Estates
The Bridge House Estates are a charitable trust, established in 1282 by the City of London Corporation in the English city of London. It was originally established to maintain London Bridge and, subsequently, other bridges. Funded by bridge tolls and charitable donations, the trust acquired an...
.
The flag is used on the one pound coin
One pound (British coin)
The circulating British one pound coin is minted from a nickel-brass alloy of approximately 70% copper, 24.5% zinc, and 5.5% nickel. The coin weighs 9.50 grams and has a diameter of 22.50 millimetres...
design of 2010.
External links
- London, VlexiWiki
- The City Arms, City of London Corporation, hosted by webarchive