^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Historical Flags (Basque Country, Spain)

Introduction
Consulate of Bilbao (16th Century - 1839)
Republic of Deusto (18th Century - 1925)
Deusto Ensign (18th Century)
Biscay Ensign (18th Century - 1830's)
Basque 1881 Flag
Sabino Arana's flag

See also:

Introduction

The Basque and my people, the Míkmaq, made contact with each other in 1372 AD, and I was wondering, if these Basques had been flying a flag, what flag it would have been.

Maqtewékpaqtism, 31 May 2001

It might have been the Navarrese banner of arms as the Basque Country belonged at this time to the Navarrese realm. But it might also be the municipal flag of Bayonne which was then a major center of long distance navigation. In any case, it cannot be the modern Basque flag wich dates only from the late 19th century.

The use of flags in the 14th century was very different than it is nowadays. I think that the banner of arms of Navarre would have been displayed only if the contact had been made by Nvarrese crown officials. As far as I know this alleged contact (which is still debated and not acknowledged by some historians) was not. So I think that municipal flag of Bayonne is most likely, at least at sea.

Philippe Bondurand, 31 May 2001

Oldest known Basque flag is dated from the 18th century. Supposed traditional Cantabric (Basque) colours are red and black, possibly vertical.

Jaume Ollé, 31 May 2001

Only some Basque territories were subjects to the king of Navarre in 1372. In 1200 the king of Castile had inherited the Lordship of Biscay and along the 14th century several cities in Alava and lordships in Guipuzcoa requested the protection of the Castilian crown to defend themselves better (for instance against English ambitions in the area). Basque vessels from these territories would only fly the banner-of-arms of Castile and Leon if they were royal vessels, belonged to the Castilian navy or had been in one way or another commissioned by the king (as was the case, for instance, with Columbus' ships). (...)

So the only thing we can say with certainty is that the ensign flown by a civil vessel would be neither the Navarre nor the Castile and Leon flag (except if on official duty), and that possibly it might have flown a multistriped flag, perhaps in green and/or white and/or red (red being very common in Basque flags). There is a possibility that Sabino Arana's first design for a pan-Basque flag was based on that.

Santiago Dotor, 4 June 2001