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Tielt (Municipality, Province of West Flanders, Belgium)

by Filip van Laenen

Description of the flag

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Description of the flag

Tielt (20,000 inhabitants) is the capital city of the arrondissement of Tielt.

The flag is: Argent, a chevron Gules, accompanied in each corner by a key Sable. Proportions are 2:3.

This flag is a banner of the municipal arms, described as follows:

"The arms were granted on April 7, 1838. According to legend the chevron was granted by William of Normandy when he granted several privileges to the town. This chevron was based on the arms of Harelbeke, and the keys were added as a distinction. This, however, can not be proven. The oldest use of the arms dates from the seals of the city since the 15th century. The chevron is more likely derived from the arms of Kortrijk, as Tielt was seat of one of the lower courts in the Kortrijk district. Other cities in the district, such as Harelbeke, also used the chevron. The arms never changed, except on a painting from 1557, where the arms simply showed three keys in pale. In the early 19th century the city was reconfirmed in the use of its arms by the Dutch government. After the independence of Belgium in 1830, the arms were re-granted."

The flag was adopted on 9 February 1981.

Source: Flags of the Low Countries

Jarig Bakker, 10 November 2001