United Kingdom: Flags of the Interregnum, 1649-1660

Last modified: 2003-03-14 by rob raeside
Keywords: united kingdom | union jack | saint georges cross | saint andrews cross | saint patricks cross | harp | cromwell | commonwealth | interregnum |
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• Flags of the Commonwealth, 1649-53
• Commonwealth coat of arms
• Flags of the Protectorate, 1653-59
• Infantry flag from the Parliamentary army
• Cromwell's banner

See also:
• United Kingdom
• Royal standard
• England
• Scotland

by Vincent Morley

by Vincent Morley

At sea, royalist ships continued to fly the Union Jack of 1606 and the appropriate ensign (different in England and in Scotland before 1707). The parliamentary navy was ordered by the Council of State on 22 February 1649 as follows: "that the ships at sea in service of the State shall onely beare the red Crosse in a white flag". The appropriate order was signed by Oliver Cromwell on 23 February. 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 [Red St. George Cross on white] and Ireland [gold harp on blue] in two severall Escotcheons in a Red Flagg, within a compartment." In 1651, the Commonwealth changed its ensign to quarterly, first and fourth, Cross of St. George on white, and second and third, Cross of St. Andrew on blue.

Dave Martucci, 29 September 1999

The coat of arms of the Commonwealth (1649-60) from Friar (1993). The arms of the Commonwealth appeared on the Great Seal struck in 1655. Interestingly these arms retained symbols of royalty (Crowns, Helm etc.). The arms of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell were incorporated into the new design.

Blazon: Quarterly 1 and 4 Argent a Cross Gules [for England] 2 Azure a Saltire Argent [for Scotland] and 3 Azure a Harp Or Stringed Argent [for Ireland] on an Inescutcheon Sable a Lion Rampant Argent [Cromwell's arms].

The supporters were a crowned lion of England and a red dragon of Wales. The Scottish unicorn was removed, as it was associated with the Stewart Monarchy.

The motto read PAX, QUÆRITUR, BELLO ("Peace is obtained [or 'sought'] by war")
Nitesh Dave, and Phil Cleary, 2 July 2000