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Cambridge University - St John's College (England)

image by António Martins-Tuválkin, Vincent Morley and Pierre Gay, 16 August 2009

Description of the flag

Description of the flag

The arms of St John's College, Cambridge University, are seen on a flag at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsysco/2391120282/ (Flickr photo by "Jsysco" uploaded 5 Apr 2008). An old rendition of these arms can be seen at http://www.heraldryshop.biz/catalogue/tobaccocards/wills/willsoxcam_clip_image017.jpg. A college website shows the full arms with supporters, but not the badges (portcullis and rose): http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/.

The college was founded 1511, executing the will of Henry VII's mother, Margaret Beaufort. More on the supporters can be found at http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/about/tour/front_gate/:
"The curious beasts on either side are yales, mythical animals having elephants' tails, antelopes' bodies and goats' heads, with horns which can supposedly swivel from back to front!" The eagle recalls St John the Evangelist. A large image of Beaufort arms can be seen at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Beaufort_Arms.svg. Borne after their legitimization, the royal arms (indicating descent from John of Gaunt) were differenced by a bordure compony argent and azure.
Jan Mertens, 21 December 2008

image located by Jan Mertens, 24 February 2009

The image above is a variant, and while elaborate and beautiful, it is not the banner of arms.
Jan Mertens, 24 February 2009