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Royal Standard of Ramiro I 842-850 (Asturias, Spain)

image by Sergio Camero, 15 November 2002

Description

See also:

Royal Flags (Spain)
Asturias (Spain)
Historical Flags (Spain)
Spain

Introduction

Ramiro I was king of Asturias, [nowadays] a province of northwestern Spain, the earliest center of Christian resistence after the Muslim conquest in the 8th century, where originated the kingdom later known as Leon. (...) Ramiro was the son of Vermudo I (788-791). He succeeded Alphonse II the chaste (791-842). In 844 a powerful fleet of Viking drakars was repulsed by Ramiro I's army, and 70 drakars were burned. The Vikings met with more success in Muslim-controlled Spain. Ramiro I also won a fierce battle against the Moors, in which he defeated 60,000 [the alleged battle of Clavijo in 843].

Jarig Bakker, 16 November 2002

Description

The Royal Flag of Ramiro I (842-850) is the oldest flag in Spain of which there is evidence. It can be seen at St James of Compostela's Cathedral, Tomb A. Source: Calvo and Grávalos 1983 [cag83].

Sergio Camero, translated by Santiago Dotor, 15 November 2002

The claim of 'seniority' for this flag can only be accepted if the flag preserved in the cathedral is a genuine one and not a recent replica. Are we sure of that? Such a flag would be only slightly younger than Charlemagne's oriflamme, of which nothing remains but ambiguous descriptions.

Ivan Sache, 16 November 2002

Calvo and Grávalos 1983 [cag83] says, "this flag is illustrated in the representation of the Battle of Clavijo that can be seen in Tomb A of the Cathedral. It can be seen flying from the royal tent".

Sergio Camero, 30 November 2002