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What was Medieval royal banner?

In Europe, royal banners were important symbols used to represent royalty, power, and sovereignty. Medieval royal banners displayed the individual king's coat of arms, which symbolized his hereditary titles and territories. These coats of arms were elaborately designed and depicted heraldic symbols such as lions, eagles, castles, and fleur-de-lis, usually combined with distinctive colours.

Here are some examples of medieval royal banners from different regions:

- England: The English kings used a banner known as the "Banner of England," which featured the red cross of St. George on a white background, symbolizing England's patron saint and the king's religious and political authority.

- France: The French kings used the "Banner of France," which displayed three golden fleur-de-lis arranged vertically on a blue background. The fleur-de-lis was a symbol associated with the French monarchy, and the blue colour represented the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of France.

- Germany: The Holy Roman Emperors, who held a prominent role in medieval Europe, used the "Imperial Banner." It featured a black double-headed eagle on a gold background. The eagle is the symbol of the Roman Empire and represented the emperor's authority and the connection between secular and religious power.

- Spain: The Spanish monarchs and various kingdoms had their royal banners, often combining the coat of arms of their respective kingdoms. For instance, the "Royal Banner of Castile" displayed a gold castle on a red background, representing the Kingdom of Castile.

- Scotland: The Scottish kings flew the "Lion Rampant," a red lion on a yellow background, representing the symbol of the Scottish monarchy and the king's authority over the realm.

These royal banners were symbols of power and sovereignty and were displayed in various settings, including on royal coats of arms, flags, seals, and other official documents and artefacts representing the kingdom and the king's rule.

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