May 20, 2013

England (United Kingdom)

Today's post is inspired by a news that shocked me: the council of Radstock, Somerset, banned the use of St. George's cross (the unofficial, but recognized, symbol of England). The reason is that this flag was used on Crusades, what should offend the Muslim inhabitants of the local, and that it's used by the far right.

About the latter, it's important to remember that every national flag is subject to be used by hatred symbol. Whatever, the biggest polemics is related to the former. The fact that the English flag was originated on the Crusades is irrelevant currently and, on the words of Rizwan Ahmed, spokesman for the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society:
"It is political correctness going a bit too far." 
"Use by the far right is one thing, but to say that Muslims are offended I don't think is correct. We understand the flag is part of this country's heritage, and in fact many many Muslims will identify as being British themselves."
"In actual fact we are normal people. We have a sense of humour and have the same concerns as everyone else – we are not just some single group."
The Saint George's cross:















The Saint George's cross was one of the many flags conceded by the pope to the kings of Europe for being used during the Crusades. Actually, England gained a red flag with a white cross, and France the red cross on white, although they latter exchanged the flags (France latter adopted a white cross on blue).

Here I present a compilation of Crusade flags used during the Crusades to identify nationality (the sources are very confuse, use at your own risk):

  • White cross on red: England (1st), France (2nd).
  • Red cross on white: France (1st), England (2nd), Genoa, Aragon, Holy Roman Empire.
  • White cross on blue: France (3rd).
  • Black cross on white: Brittany, Holy Roman Empire (possibly).
  • Green cross on white: Flanders.
  • Yellow cross on white: Italy, Holy Roman Empire (possibly).
  • Blue cross on white: Portugal (possibly including Galicia).

By the way, the association between the cross and St. George possibly occurred on Genoa, on 12th century,  that also adopted the flag and the patron saint in same period.

I hope you liked the post. If you have any comment about England flag or the incident on Radstock, leave your comment, please.

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