Last modified: 2009-01-24 by rob raeside
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![[Royal Lymington Yacht Club ensign, Hants]](../images/g/gb~lym.gif)
image by Clay Moss, 3 October 2008See also:
The history of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club can be found on their website
at
http://www.rlymyc.org.uk/about/default.asp?page_id=55.
Clay Moss,
17 September 2008
The image here is of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club ensign as modified in
1939. The original ensign granted to the Lymington River Sailing Club by
Admiralty warrant of 21 December 1925, for an initial period of ten years, did
not have a crown above the lymphad. The founder and Commodore of the club, Major
Cyril Potter, had requested a special ensign and the title 'Royal' in August
1925. Although he was a personal friend of the Home Secretary the request for
the title 'Royal' was refused.
"Home Office file entry, 4 November 1925.
HRH Prince Henry is patron, but Royal Patronage confers no right to a Royal
title. Lymington not recommended; too young and see Yacht Racing Association's
observation. Not necessary to consult Admiralty as they are not interested in
sailing yacht clubs. Submit to King; 'not recommended'."
Major Potter
made further unsuccessful requests for the title in 1929, 1931 and 1934, but his
persistence was finally rewarded in 1938. It was perhaps no coincidence that by
then King George V was dead and Potter was no longer Commodore of the club. The
title 'Royal' has never been awarded to a British yacht club since. The
correspondence on the subject is fascinating, but too long and not related
closely enough to flags to justify posting here.
David Prothero, 26
September 2008
The ship in this image is called the "Lentune Ship" as the original name of
the Borough of Lymington was Lentune. This ship adorns the Borough's badge or
coat of arms and is thus an integral part of the RLYC's badge as well. I have
been in touch with one of the club's staff members and asked him the origin of
the shield hanging from the mast of the ship. His quote is below:
"To be
honest I don't know exactly where that comes from but it is the
coat of arms of
the House of Courtenay with a label, indicating first born. I suspect it belongs
to William de Redvers who granted the town its charter. He has French roots
which probably link him to the House of Courtenay thus fitting the coat of
arms."
I was also provided with several very helpful photographs of the
ensign and a piece on the history of the RLYC's burgee. According to the burgee
history piece, the club's original name was the Lymington River Sailing club,
founded in 1914. In 1926, the club's name changed to the Lymington Yacht Club,
and in 1938, upon receiving its royal title, the Royal Lymington Yacht Club
received its current name.
Clay Moss, 2 October 2008
![[Royal Lymington Yacht Club ensign, Hants]](../images/g/gb)lym.gif)
image by Clay Moss, 2 October 2008
The
coat of arms of
the House of Courtenay is Or three torteaux gules as shown on this somewhat
self-congratulatory page:
http://www.blackhawkpublishing.com/BP0500Related%20Links.htm and at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Courtenay. The label would have been
azure.
Jan Mertens, 2 October 2008
![[Royal Lymington Yacht Club ensign, Hants]](../images/g/gb~lym2.gif)
image by Clay Moss, 3 October 2008
This is drawn from a photo provided by the club. The defacement in the photo is
smaller and quartered as per this illustration. So currently, this
is what
actual RLYC ensigns look like.
Clay Moss, 3 October 2008
![[Royal Lymington Yacht Club ensign, 1926, Hants]](../images/g/gb~lym26.gif)
image by Clay Moss, 3 October 2008
There is strong evidence that this was the Lymington Yacht Club's ensign from
1925(26?) until 1938. However, no one is ready to etch that in stone. So, I post
this ensign as LYC's probable ensign.
Clay Moss, 3 October 2008
![[Royal Lymington Yacht Club ensign, Hants]](../images/g/gb_lym.gif)
image by Clay Moss, 6 November 2008
The RLYC's waterfront manager also commented on the evolution of not only the
yacht club, but their burgee as well. In addition, he sent me an illustrated
evolution of the Lymington burgee.
Clay Moss,
26 September 2008
![[Royal Lymington Yacht Club burgee, Hants]](../images/g/gb_lym26.gif)
image by Clay Moss, 3 October 2008
![[Royal Lymington Yacht Club burgee, Hants]](../images/g/gb_lym22.gif)
image by Clay Moss, 3 October 2008