Poole Flag

The Poole Flag – A history to be proud of

The Poole Flag (based upon the 14th century seal of Poole Town Council) is unique since its existence predates The College of Arms and it was confirmed in 1563 as being granted to the inhabitants of Poole, not just the Mayor and other dignitaries.

Some years ago The Poole Flag Trust successfully ensured that the local council (owner of most flag poles in Poole) authorised the inclusion of the Poole Flag within the portfolio of flags it can fly, and Poole Flags are made available to individuals and organisations able to fly them across the town and beyond on yachts and boats based in Poole. Since the closure of the Trust in 2022, the Society for Poole has undertaken the promotion and sale of the Flag.

The design of the Flag is based on the 14th century Poole Town Council Seal. In Elizabethan times the College of Arms confirmed that it can be used by the inhabitants of Poole. Shown below is a design still incorporated into Poole Council’s Coat of Arms some 600 years later.

All the elements in the design of the flag are figurative:

• The wavy bars represent the sea. Yellow and black were reintroduced into the Council’s Coat of Arms in the early 20th century, as seen on the older lifting bridge. Previously black and green wavy stripes were displayed, or blue and white. In heraldry yellow and gold (referred to as ‘or’) permitted either to be displayed.
• The black scallop shells depicted on the flag have for centuries been the badge worn by Christian pilgrims who visited Saint James’ shrine at Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Poole ships were licensed to take pilgrims to Spain and St James is the patron saint of Poole Town’s parish church.
• In heraldry the dolphin is the king of fish, as the lion is the king of beasts. The heir to the King of France was referred to as the Dauphin (dolphin) and dolphins were depicted in his crown. lt is not known why Poole earned the right to display a dolphin.
• Poole’s scallop shell is depicted in black as a local medieval king ordered scallop shells to be sculptured from black jet, a local stone.

Confirmation of Arms circa 1563

Theis be ye armes app’taininge and belonginge to the Maire, Baylyfes burgesyes and lnhabitance_of the towne of Poole and to all the Corporacio’ of the Same; wch inhabitaunce of the said towne of Poole as appered by auncynt chartyers to me in my vicitac’o’ shewen were incorporated by William Longespe Erle of Saru’ by the name of Porte Ryue (Port Reeve) baylyfe and burgesyes of his towne of Poole, persell of his Manor of Candford, wch Corporacio’ was Ratyfyed Aumplified and Co’firmed by William Monteacute Erle of Saru’, by ye name of his Mayre baylyfe and burgesyes of his Said toune and borough of Poole, which towne and burrough of Poole is now the inheritaunce of James blunte (Blount), knyghte, Lord Mountioye, as in the right of his said manner of Candford. The whiche armes aboue set forthe I Clarencieulx kynge of Armes haue Ratified and confirmed unto the Mayre baylyfe burgesyes and inhabitantes of ye Said towne and burough of Poole in this my p’sent visitacion wthin ye Cowntye of Dors’ and at this p’sent: William bydelcom Mayre; Ambrosse benet baylyfe; Xpofer(Christopher) Rosse and Peter Gaydon Constables; John Aman, John Northerell, Thom’s Gyllford, John Davys, William Newman, Thom’s Byngley, Richard Goddarde, William Grene, John Hancok burgesys.

 

 

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