Last modified: 2008-02-03 by ivan sache
Keywords: savoie | savoy | savoia | cross (white) | letters: fept (white) |
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![[Flag of Savoy]](../images/f/fr-savoy.gif)
Flag of the Duchy of Savoy - Image by Arnaud Leroy, 11 July 2000
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Savoy has been using a red flag with a white cross since the
Middle Ages.
The flag of Savoy, red with a white cross, is a banner of its traditional arms, De gueules à la croix d'argent ("Gules a cross argent"), locally called "The Cross of Savoy" (la croix de Savoie).
The arms of Savoy have probably the same origin as the flag of
the Sovereign Order of Malta. The flag may have
been given by the Pope to Amédée of Savoy, when he was
sent to fight the "Infidels" in the eastern part of the Mediterranean
sea. A link with the Crusades is also possible.
Ivan Sache & Pascal Vagnat, 4 January 2004
![[1771 Savoy flag]](../images/f/fr_sa771.gif)
Flag of Savoy shown in Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1771 - Image by Randy Young, 6 July 2000
In the XVIII century, the letters "FERT" (incorrectly rendered as "FEPT" in Encyclopaedia Britannica were added to the flag of Savoy to distinguish it from the flag of the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Jaume Ollé, 1 November 1998
![[Later flag]](../images/f/fr_savo1.gif)
Flag of Savoy, undated - Image by Jaume Ollé, 11 July 2000
A large blue background, in honour of the Virgin, was subsequently added to the flag of Savoy, while the letters "FERT" were dropped.
Jaume Ollé, 1 November 1998
![[1785 flag]](../images/f/fr_savo2.gif)
Flag of Savoy, 1785 - Image by Jaume Ollé, 11 July 2000
The flag of Savoy dated 1785 had a very thin blue border.
Jaume Ollé, 1 November 1998
![[Later flag]](../images/f/fr_savo3.gif)
Flag of Savoy, undated - Image by Jaume Ollé, 11 July 2000
A subsequent flag of Savoy is blue with a red canton charged with the white cross.
Jaume Ollé, 1 November 1998