Last modified: 2002-12-28 by rob raeside
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![[Proposed Flag of Mercia]](../images/g/gb-e-mer.gif)
by Jaume Ollé
See also:
A proposed flag for the Mercia historic region should the region be restored, according Flagmaster 103.
Jaume Ollé, 22 May 2002
Abstracted from an article in Flagmaster v. 103, "A Flag for Mercia: The Central Region":
Summarizing the article, Mercia was one of three kingdoms (Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex) that
were consolidated from the Angle-Saxon heptarchy in the early 9th Century in England, and united with Wessex after the reconquest of the Danelaw in 973
under Edgar. The flag is new, designed for the Region of Mercia. Graham Walker, the
designer stated, "The Mercia Movement was founded on 19 August 1993, by a group of individuals inspired by a common vision of a sustainable
alternative future. It is a movement rooted in historical reality and intends to re-create Mercia as a legal autonomous entity, within the
boundaries which existed prior to 1066 and within an English Confederation." The flag is intended to be adaptable for use by sub-units (i.e., counties)
by adding a badge in the white field. The flag has a white field bordered above and below by wavy, light blue
bands, which are each from one-quarter to one-fifth the height of the flag. A vertical green panel, one third the length of the flag, at the hoist bears
a gold shield, carrying an odal rune and the word MERCIA in black. The blue bands represent the Humber and Thames, the sometime northern and southern
boundaries of Mercia. The green vertical is for Offa's Dyke, a defence against the Welsh to the west. The design was approved on 12 May 2001 by
the Mercia Second Constitutional Convention.
Rob Raeside, 26 June 2002
The crest of Tamworth Football Club
retains the original arms of the town. The Borough Council now uses a stylised
logo depicting the outline of a white swan on the Rive Tame in front of
Tamworth Castle on a green background.
The following description is taken from
www.civicheraldry.co.uk.
ARMS: Per fess Azure and Gules a Fess Vair between in chief a Saltire and in
base a Fleur-de-Lis Or.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours infront of a Mount Vert thereon a
representation of Tamworth Castle proper two Swords in saltire Or.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a Bear Argent muzzled Gules collared and
chained Or and on the sinister side a Lion Gules crowned Or.
BADGE: A Saltire Or surmounted by a Fleur-de-Lys Azure.
Granted 1st May 1965.
The gold saltire on blue is from the arms of the Kingdom of Mercia. When Offa
came to the throne of Mercia in 757 AD, he made Tamworth his chief residence
and built a palace there. Shortly after the Norman Conquest, William gave the
royal Anglo-Saxon castle of Tamworth and its lands to his Royal Steward,
Robert de Marmion. It was the Marmion family, who built the stone castle and
the vair is from their arms. The fleur-de-lys is from the Borough Seal and
probably derives from the arms of Elizabeth I, by whom the town was
incorporated. The crossed sword in front of a representation of Tamworth
Castle, represent the office of Champion of England, held by the Marmion
family. The crowned lion, is like one of the supporters of the arms of
Staffordshire County Council and the chained bear, is like that in the arms of
Warwickshire County Council. Tamworth was previously situated in both
counties; the boundary ran through the centre of the town along the main
streets, until 1889 when the town was transferred wholly to Staffordshire.
Andrew Milner, 4 September 2002
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