Flags of the 17th Century

[marco55]

Looking for pics of the national flags of France,Spain,England,Dutch Rep.,and Portugal.I don't know if they even had them then but any help would be appreciated.
Mark

[Aerendar Valandil]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statenvlag

[zippyfusenet]

This website has a crepe-ton of information about historical flags.

https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/

You may have to root around to find a particular country/historical era. For instance, here is the index for historical Portuguese flags:

https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/pt-hist.html

[marco55]

One can get dizzy looking at all those flags. I'm mostly looking for early 17th cen. flags 1600-1650,Mostly the ones those countries used most.
Mark

[zippyfusenet]

You say you want the national flags that were used most. Used in what context? In early 17th century Europe, 'national' flags were mainly flown on royal warships and fortresses, and often changed from one reign to the next. Are you looking for naval ensigns? Or standards for military units? Those were usually not to any set pattern in this era, but more 'as the colonel may direct'. Or are you looking for some other kind of flag? Trying to help, here.

[Sparrow]

Would agree with Zippyfusenet - you are looking for something that doesn’t really exist the way you think it might.

Writing anything emphatic about early-mid C17th Armies is difficult because there will almost always be exceptions but in general colours were a very personal thing often dictated by the unit commander or ‘source” of the “regiment”. In the ECW troop colours get even more individual (though could sometimes share a common background colour).

Sash/scarf  colours or field signs are often a better unifying element though even these could sometimes be dictated by a general rather than on a “national” basis. In armies of this time the commanding officer can often be more important than any national context (the nation state is only emerging during this period) eg many of  Wallenstein’s men may have considered themselves more part of his army than any other identity.

Sorry this doesn’t answer your question (and you must feel quite frustrated) but hopefully it gives you a few steers in researching whatever project you’re planning.

Enjoy researching the C17th - it is a truly fascinating period! (in my opinion!).

[marco55]

I was thinking of the explorers like Champlain and others who claimed the land in the America's for their country and king so I was thinking more like the king's colors or something identifying their nationality at their forts/settlements.Thanks for helping clear that up.I did think this one might work for the French.
Mark

 

[zippyfusenet]

If you're just trying to suggest nationality and don't want to be pedantic, that flag works fine for royal France. A red St. George cross on a white field is England, a red Burgundy Cross on a white field is Spain, the tri-color is the Netherlands and the Order of Christ flag is Portugal. Done.

[marco55]

That is basically all I need.Thank you.
Mark

[marco55]

Here's the Spanish flag.
Mark

[Condottiere]

Flags of the Kingdom of France (843?-1792)...