Ecrehous and Minquiers, Bailiwick of Jersey

Last modified: 2001-07-05 by rob raeside
Keywords: ecrehous | minquiers | jersey | channel islands |
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by Jarig Bakker
Flag status uncertain.

• Ecrehous and Minquiers
• Arms of Ecrehous (1884)

See also:

• Bailiwick of Jersey
• United Kingdom
• Société Jersiaise

In September 1998 the French writer, Jean Raspail (who claims to be a lawfull king of Araucania-Patagonia) organized an invasion and take-over of Minquiers in the name of the Patagonian Kingdom and in the retaliation for British occupation of Falklands/Malvinas. The blue-white-green flag of Araucania-Patagonia was hoisted by seven "commandos" and plaques and stickers were posted on the buildings. Next day a passing British yachtsman spotted, with horror, unfamiliar flag, took it down and hang the Union Jack over British domain. Jean Raspail agreed later to the flags exchange in the UK embassy in Paris and was surprised by the publicity the prank generated.

Neverless, the islands have or had some symbols of its own. At the turn of the 20th Century there was a permanent population of various characters and more recently, the existing cottages have been offered for rent to tourists in the summer season. According to a now extinct French website there was or still is a flag for Ecrehous & Minquiers, shown here. A coat of arms was also located on the website, as Ecrehous (1884). Incidently, in Jérrais (Jersey patois) the names are L's Ecréhos et Les Mintchiers.
Chris Kretowicz, 10 April 2001

I am far from convinced. I can think of no reason at all why a group of islets with no permanent habitation should have a flag. Who would authorise it? And as Antonio has already pointed out, the alleged coat of arms is simply that of Jersey/England.

The Ecrehous were mentioned before and I started to have a look round the web then but didn't finish. I did however find a picture that shows a pole flying two flags, the top one almost certainly the Red Ensign and the lower one the St Patrick's Cross flag of Jersey.
André Coutanche, 11 April 2001

by Chris Kretowicz

Arms from the book published in 1884, at the "Chronicle"Office, 19, Royal Square, St. Helier, Jersey. The illustrations are by the famous Jersey artist P.J. Oules.
Chris Kretowicz, 11 April 2001

Isn't this the traditional and well known coat of arms of England (see banner of England), three leopards on gules? Note that the colors of this images are a later embellishment or artefact, the Petra Sancta hatchings show clearly the original colors.
António Martins, 10 April 2001