Royal Bend of Castile
Encyclopedia
The Royal Bend of Castile
(Banda Real de Castilla), was the positional ensign, “guión” of the Castilian monarch. It was created in 1332 by Alfonso XI, King of Castile and León, he also instituted the Knights of the Band
, a military order
. Charles I (1500 – 1558), king of Spain, also Charles V as Holy Roman Emperor, was the last monarch that used this standard.
The Bend of Castile description from Henry I
reign was: “Gules, a or bend engouled into dragantes, dragon
or wolf's heads”.A roman legion symbol. Before, the bend and the dragon’s heads were different colours.
The Castilian Bend origin was the old Count of Castile’s coat of arms - "Gules a bend Or" - , after "Gules, a three towered castle Or"
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
(Banda Real de Castilla), was the positional ensign, “guión” of the Castilian monarch. It was created in 1332 by Alfonso XI, King of Castile and León, he also instituted the Knights of the Band
Knights of the Band
The Knights of the Band, or Equites Bindae, were a military order in Spain, instituted by Alfonso XI, King of Castile, c. 1330. It takes its name from the banda, band, sash or red ribbon which came across over the right shoulder and under the left arm of the knight.The order was awarded to certain...
, a military order
Military order
A military order is a Christian society of knights that was founded for crusading, i.e. propagating or defending the faith , either in the Holy Land or against Islam or pagans in Europe...
. Charles I (1500 – 1558), king of Spain, also Charles V as Holy Roman Emperor, was the last monarch that used this standard.
The Bend of Castile description from Henry I
Henry I of Castile
Henry I of Castile was king of Castile. He was the son of Alfonso VIII of Castile and his wife Eleanor Plantagenet, ....
reign was: “Gules, a or bend engouled into dragantes, dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
or wolf's heads”.A roman legion symbol. Before, the bend and the dragon’s heads were different colours.
The Castilian Bend origin was the old Count of Castile’s coat of arms - "Gules a bend Or" - , after "Gules, a three towered castle Or"
- The Catholic MonarchsCatholic MonarchsThe Catholic Monarchs is the collective title used in history for Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. They were both from the House of Trastámara and were second cousins, being both descended from John I of Castile; they were given a papal dispensation to deal with...
used the Castilian Bend between a yoke with ribbons Or (on obverse side) and a sheaf of arrows with ribbons Or (on reverse side) and their motto: “Tanto Monta, Monta Tanto” ("cutting as untying") an explanation of the equality of the monarchs.
- Charles I used the Bend between the Pillars of HerculesPillars of HerculesThe Pillars of Hercules was the phrase that was applied in Antiquity to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The northern Pillar is the Rock of Gibraltar in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar...
, External Oraments of the King-Emperor's heraldry.
Later use of the Royal Bend of Castile
- Francisco FrancoFrancisco FrancoFrancisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
, dictatorDictatorA dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
and Head of StateHead of StateA head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
of Spain, used from 1940 to 1975 the Castilian Bend (like the version of Charles I) as Head of State’s Standard and Guidon: The Bend between the Pillars of Hercules, crowned with an imperial crown and open (old) royal crown. The Bend between the Pillars of Hercules also were depicting in the personal coat of arms used by Franco as Head of Spanish State.
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| The Royal Bend of Castile, variant used by the Catholic Monarchs Catholic Monarchs The Catholic Monarchs is the collective title used in history for Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. They were both from the House of Trastámara and were second cousins, being both descended from John I of Castile; they were given a papal dispensation to deal with... (obverse) |
The Royal Bend of Castile, variant used by the Catholic Monarchs (reverse) |
The Royal Bend of Castile, variant used by Charles I Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As... (Charles V as Holy Roman Emperor) |
Standard of Francisco Franco Francisco Franco Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975... as Head of Spanish State |