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Hampshire County Council (United Kingdom)

Chrys Fear, 8 July 2004

Description and history of the flag
Use of the flag
Coat of arms
Isle of Wight

See also:

United Kingdom
Description of the arms and their meaning (Hants Co. Council page)
Usage (1) (Hants Co. Council page)
Usage (2) (Hants Co. Council page)
Usage (3) (Hants Co. Council page)

Description and history of the flag

Above the flag of Hampshire County Council, which 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 (only two years late!). 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 (although with no sanction of the College of Arms). Because the arms include the Royal crown, the Queen's permission had to be sought and a Royal Warrant was issued.

Roy Stilling, 21 November 1995

Use of the flag

The County Council is the representative body for the county. As arms may only be granted to individuals and bodies corporate, the arms of Hampshire County Council represent the county and its people. No-one other than Hampshire County Council is allowed to fly the flag.

Pascal Vagnat, 4 April 1996

Coat of Arms

by James Frankcom

The rose is the Lancaster rose, which has been used by Hampshire for many centuries. The lion supporter symbolises the fact that the city of Winchester was the Mediaeval capital of England, and the lion thus is the English lion. The two crossed swords are a symbol for the connection of Hampshire with the army. The stag represents the New Forest, the royal hunting ground created by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. The anchor symbolises the connection with the navy. The crest shows a Saxon crown and castle and symbolises the links with the Saxon Kingdom of Wessex, of which Winchester was the capital. The castle also symbolises the role of Hampshire in defending the country. (Attributed to leaflet obtained from Hampshire County Council).
James Frankcom, 13 October 2003