The Cheshire flag is the flag of the county of Cheshire in North West England. It was registered by the Flag Institute on 10 April 2013, the design being a banner of arms of the former Cheshire County Council, granted on 3 May 1938.
 | |
| Proportion | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 10 April 2013 |
| Designed by | Historic |
Flag design
editOn the flag are three golden sheaves of wheat and a golden blade on a blue background.
History
editThe oldest ancestor of what would become the modern flag of Cheshire is the arms of Hugh of Cyfeiliog, 5th Earl of Chester in the late 12th century, depicting 6 golden sheaves of wheat. His son, Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, reduced this number to three.[1] This design, with a dagger added to it, has been used in the coat of arms of Chester since at least 1560.[2]
Use
editThe flag has been flown alongside the Union Flag above the Department for Communities and Local Government.[3] Stockport County have had a Cheshire Flag Day to commemorate Stockport's roots in the historic county of Chester.[4]
The wheat sheaves and blue background are incorporated into the logo for Cheshire West and Chester Council and the wheat sheaves are incorporated into the logo for Cheshire East Council. Additionally, the logo of Stockport County F.C. features the three golden sheaves of wheat and golden blade on a blue background as its escutcheon.
References
edit- ^ Tomlinson, H Ellis (1946). The Heraldry of Cheshire. Manchester: Manchester University Press. p. 159.
- ^ Association of British Counties – County flag proposals Accessed 5 February 2012
- ^ Communities and Local Government – Cheshire flag to fly at Department for Communities and Local Government Date 10 October 2012. Accessed 13 February 2012
- ^ Stockport County official website – Cheshire Flag Day[permanent dead link] Date 8 April 2011. Accessed 13 February 2012