Norway - Historical rank flags

Last modified: 2004-10-09 by phil nelson
Keywords: norway | rank flag |
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• The first independence flags – 1814
• The first union flags – 1815
• National war ensign, Union rank flags – 1844
• First national rank flags – 1858
• National Rank Flags – 1875-1905

See also:

• Norway
• Norway – Historical Flags
• Norwegian Flag of 1814 (civil flag)
• Officer Rank Flags (current)
  • 'Pure' National Rank Flags – 1905-
  • Current flags of minister and Chief of Defence, Inspector Generals
• Coastal Artillery

The First Independence Flags – 1814

In 1814, under the leadership of Regent Prince Christian Frederick, Norway enjoyed a brief period of full independence before entering into a personal union with Sweden. [Christian Frederik was regent in Norway from 18th of January. He was elected King of Norway on 18th of May 1814.] The Royal Norwegian Navy was formed of the part of the common Danish-Norwegian fleet that Norway took with it as the union with Denmark was dissolved.

One of the first things the Regent did was to give Norway a new flag. By proclamation of 27 February 1814, the prince decided that the flag was to be a rectangular red field with a white cross and the lion of Norway in yellow in the top hoist corner. The war flag had swallowtails in addition. In other words, the new flags were the Dannebrog with the arms of Norway added. In the design proposals submitted to the prince, the lion faced the hoist, but the prince turned it around so that it faced the fly. The first war ensign (it was also used on land, so it may also be labeled war flag) was used to March 1815 when a new war ensign was introduced (s