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The 1785 War Ensign Contest (Spain)

Selected Proposals for a New War Ensign 1785

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Historical Flags 1785-1931 (Spain)
Spain

Selected Proposals for a New War Ensign 1785

In 1785 King Charles III decided it was time to replace the current war ensign, white with the Spanish coat-of-arms, for a new, distinct ensign which could not easily be mistaken with those of other countries (mainly Bourbon-ruled ones as France, Parma, Tuscany or Two Sicilies but also the British white ensign). As a result there was a contest where many proposals were put forward. From these, Minister of the Navy Antonio Valdés selected twelve to present to the King.

From these twelve it becomes apparent that red, yellow, white and blue were preferred to other colours. It is not clear, however, that the reason to choose them was to keep the traditional, heraldical hues present in the Spanish arms — particularly with blue, which at the time only appeared in the Anjou inescutcheon and other small charges of minor territories (and certainly not ones within Spanish mainland). [See the arms of Two Sicilies for a detailed account of all the escutcheons.] It is probable that cost of the material, ease of production and long distance reconnaisance capability played a role as important, if not much more, than tradition.

The King chose one of them (the first image below) as the new war ensign, but modified its proportions slightly. The proposal had a regular triband red-yellow-red, with the coat-of-arms offset towards the hoist, and the King decreed the central (yellow) stripe to be twice as wide as each of the other two (red ones). This basic scheme still lasts today in the Spanish national flag.

Another proposal (the third below) was selected —though without the coat-of-arms— to become the new merchant flag or, more properly, civil ensign.

Sources:

Calvo and Grávalos 1983 [cag83]
Fernández Gaytán 1985 [fgy85]

Santiago Dotor, 8 July 1999

Decree of King Carlos III:

Decree of the King. In order to avoid the disadvantages, and damages, that have made us to see confusion can cause the National flag, used by our Navy, and other Spanish ships, being mistaken at long distances, or with quiet winds with those of other Nations; I have resolved, that in the future my Ships will fly a Flag divided in three long lists, of which the upper and down is incarnated, and of a wide each one of fourth part of the total, and the one of the middle yellow, being placed in this the coats-of-arms of my Royal Arms quartered of Castile and Leon with Royal Crown above. And other ships will use, without coat-of-arms, such colors, having to be the list in the middle yellow, and the wide one of the third part of the Flag, and each one of the remaining parts divided in two equal lists incarnated, and yellow alternatively, everything in accordance to the attached design. Given by hand of H.M. in Aranjuez on twenty and eight of May, 1785.

Alvaro Alonso-Majagranzas Baena, 20 May 2005

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all twelve by Santiago Dotor