Devon, England

Last modified: 2023-07-03 by rob raeside
Keywords: england | devon | north devon |
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• About the flag of Devon
• Devon Flag Days
• Coat of Arms
• North Devon
• England

The Flag of Devon

There is now a flag for Devon (UK). The flag was designed by one of many contributors to a discussion originating on the BBC Devon web-site, which resulted in two 'internet based' polls attracting hundreds of votes. The winning design was the most favoured on both occasions. The flag can be seen at http://users.senet.com.au/~dewnans/Devon_Flag_Designs.html.

Paul Turner, 25 March 2003

The flag was designed by Ryan R. Sealey.
Ryan R. Sealey, 4 June 2003

The image above was made from scratch in the proportions 25:43, as shown on the Devon flag site. The exact shade of green is not prescribed and although the main image at the Devon flag site shows a dark flag (RGB 0-126-0), the photo shows them a lot lighter. So I standardised the shade to a BS RGB 0-153-0.
Jorge Candieas, 18 February 2005

Devon Flag Days

The Devon Flag Group has released a list of the days to fly the Devon Flag. Of course the Devon Flag can be flown on any day, but for those people or organizations that have a range of flags (and limited flagpoles) it was believed useful to focus on some specific days which are special to Devon, and on which the flying of the Devon Flag is most appropriate. A number of these days are based on specific events, such as when the Devon Show is underway, and a number celebrate some famous maritime vents. In addition a number are also based on those days associated with the ancient saints of Devon or those who have a special association with Devon. Many have interesting stories associated with them. These days are:

• 4 January St Rumon of Tavistock and Romansleigh
• 7 January St Brannock
• 5 March St Piran - patron saint of tin miners on both sides of the Tamar, and in recognition of our Cornish colleagues.
• 7 April St Brannock - as celebrated in Exeter May Bank Holiday Anniversary of the first time the flag was flown (at the World Gig championships on the Isles of Scilly)
• May/June Whilst Devon County Show being held
• 3 June St Kevin
• 4 June St Petroc (to whom the Devon Flag is dedicated)
• 5 June St Boniface of Crediton
• 6 June St Gudwal - hermit of Devon
• 17 June St Nectan of North Devon
• 21/22 June Midsummer
• 26 June St Brannock - feast day
• 8 July St Urith of Barnstaple/Chittlehapton
• 13 July St Juthware (sister of St Sidwell)
• 30 July Anniversary of the battle against the Spanish Armada off Plymouth
• 2 August St Sidwell
• 10 August St Geraint of Dumnonia
• 30 August St Rumon - feast day
• 26 September Anniversary of Drake's circumnavigation of the world in 1580
• 2 November St Cumgar
• 5 November St Kea of Landkey, Guy Fawkes night, Burning Barrel festival at Ottery St Mary, and the 'turning of the stone' at Shebbear
• 7 November St Congar
• 8 December St Budoc of Plymouth
• 12 December St Corentin
• 21/22 December Midwinter
• 1 Dec to 6 Jan New Year's Eve to twelfth night.

It is suggested that the Devon Flag should also be flown at local events - such as the annual Dartmouth Regatta, Combe Martin's 'Hunting of the Earl of Rhone' festival, any day the Devon Rugby Union team is playing (and the day after if they win!!) or indeed any time a sporting team representing Devon is playing.

It may be of interest to know a little more about some of these saints, many of who have links with Devon going back over a thousand years. For example St Boniface is also the patron saint of Germany and the Netherlands, St Geraint is responsible for bringing the ancient British church and that of Rome closer together, and St Petroc is remembered in numerous dedications across Devon (18), Cornwall (9), and Somerset (1). Perhaps more mysterious are the lives (and deaths) of some of Devon's other saints. St Sidwell was beheaded by her jealous mother in law but where her blood landed a holy well started to flow. St Nectan was also beheaded when he surprised cattle thieves but simply picked up his head and walked home. St Rumon was once accused of being a werewolf (he was found innocent), St Brannock was given a vision telling him to build a church where he saw a sow with piglets, and if you have toothache a prayer to St Kea is your traditional source of relief!

Whenever you fly the Devon Flag it should remind you (and those who see it) what a great place Devon is!

The Devon Flag Group (DFG) is a body dedicated to promoting the Devon Flag (and Devon), to set and maintain the standards for the Devon Flag, and to consider and (if appropriate) critically evaluate Devon Flag products commercially available. The DFG is not a commercial organization and does not make any revenue or profit from commercial ventures involving the Devon Flag. For those seeking more information the DFG has a website members.fortunecity.com/devonflaggroup and can be contacted via its website.
Bob Burns, Paul Turner, and Kevin Pyne, 24 March 2004

Coat of Arms

by James Frankcom

The arms were granted in 1926. The red lion is that of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and King of the Romans. The crown denotes royal descent. The chief illustrates the maritime heritage of the County, in particular Sir Francis Drake's ship, The Golden Hind. In 1962 a crest and supporters were added. The crest has a Naval crown for the long association of the Royal Navy with Devon. From this rises a pony's head. This represents Dartmoor, where wild ponies still roam. The dexter supporter is a bull for agriculture and the sinister a sea-lion for the sea. Thus both the inland and coastal communities of Devon are shown. The motto was that used by Sir Francis Drake and means By Divine Aid.
James Frankcom, 13 October 2003

North Devon

by Blas Delgado Ortiz

Paul Leaver, 5 September 2002