Counties which already have flags

Several English counties already have their own flags; some are traditional images and some are new innovations, some of which are the winners of local competitions. Below I have given a bit of information about some of England's county flags. Most of the information given here came from the Flags of the World website.

Devon

The Devon flag was designed by one of many contributors to a discussion originating on the BBC Devon web-site, which resulted in two 'internet based' polls attracting hundreds of votes. The winning design, by Ryan R. Sealey, was the most favoured on both occasions. The dedication to the Celtic saint St. Petroc is interesting. St Petroc is well celebrated throughout the county, but is also the alternative patron saint of Cornwall, and some people used to/still refer to the Cornish flag as "St Petroc's flag".

 Essex

The flag of Essex can be seen over municipal buildings and sports grounds. The flag, and variations of it, is used by many businesses and academic institutions. As well as being a modern English county, Essex is one of the seven ancient Kingdoms (The English Heptarchy) that gradually united to form England between 801 and 1040. The flag bears three "seaxes" in silver (the hilts are usually gold) on a field of red - which was the emblem of the ancient Kings of Essex. The modern county of Essex is about half the size of the old kingdom and has approximately 1.5 million people.

Hampshire

The flag of Hampshire County Council was adopted on 13th July 1992 when the county was granted a coat of arms to mark the centenary of the county council in 1989. The flag is a banner of the arms. The "rose and crown" motifs have been associated with Hampshire since at least the 18th century and were formerly used by the county in heraldic badge form. Because the arms include the Royal crown, the Queen's permission had to be sought and a Royal Warrant was issued.

Kent

The Kent flag is very definitely flown (occasionally, still) from County Hall in Maidstone. Until the new Logo was adopted in the 1990s the heraldic banner was the only flag used by the County Council and flew daily from County Hall. The grant of arms was made to Kent County Council in the 1930's, and the first flag caused a little controversy due to its red colour.

The position of the horse on the arms, logo and flag is indeed "rampant" , that is, rearing on one hind legs -- but this version dates only from the 1930's Grant of Arms. Earlier versions depict the Horse as forcené (i.e. rearing naturally on its hind legs) or occasionally courant (running). Some 19th century versions show the background colour as blue, and there is sometimes a green strip of turf below.

 

Lincolnshire

The new flag for Lincolnshire was unveiled at five separate ceremonies across the county. The flag was chosen in a vote by organised by BBC Radio Lincolnshire along with Lincolnshire Life Magazine. The winning entry was selected from a shortlist of six designs and attracted thousands of votes. It features a red cross with a fleur de lys in the centre on a blue and green background. A gold border represents the crops grown in the county. The blue on the flag represents the sea and sky of Lincolnshire and the green symbolises the fields, while the fleur de lys represents the City of Lincoln.

The winning design was unveiled at five locations: the Observatory Tower at Lincoln Castle, South Kesteven District Council's offices in Grantham, Springfields Shopping Centre in Spalding, Gainsborough Old Hall, the Assembly Rooms in Boston.