Essex County Flag 5ft x 3ft

Name: Essex County Flag 5ft x 3ft
SKU: FLAGESS
Price: 5.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

Product code: FLAGESS

The name "Essex" means the land of the East Saxons - one of the founding tribes of the English nation. The feast day of Saint Cedd, October 26th .....

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The name "Essex" means the land of the East Saxons - one of the founding tribes of the English nation. The feast day of Saint Cedd, October 26th , has been acknowledged as the county day of Essex.

The feast day of Saint Cedd, October 26th , has been acknowledged as the county day of Essex.

The date was mooted by the Flag Institute as a likely day for the county to recognise as Essex Day, owing to the significant role Saint Cedd had played in its early history. Following an earlier spate of conversion to Christianity the kingdom of Essex had largely reverted to its pagan origins. King Sigeberht requested assistance from Chrsitian Northumbria and Cedd went to the East Saxons partly as an emissary of the Northumbrian monarchy. In recognition of his success, Cedd was appointed bishop of the East Saxons. Cedd then baptised the king’s pagan successor and has come to be highly regarded for his efforts and to all intents and purposes recognised as the county’s patron saint. In 2013 the flag of Essex was raised by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Eric Pickles, on October 24th, to coincide with Saint Cedd’s day later in the week.

He was joined by Essex MPs Simon Burns MP, Stephen Metcalfe MP and Rebecca Harris MP, effectively securing October 26th as the county day of Essex. Eric Pickles announced “I’m delighted to see that the only way is Essex at my department today as we recognise my adopted home county on its official day.” Flags have the power to unite communities and inspire a sense of pride and belonging to an area and I hope to see residents across the county flying their flags. England’s historic counties continue to form an important part of our cultural and local identity in this country and many people remain deeply attached to their home county. Councillor David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, said “The 3 seaxes are a really important symbol of Essex culture and history so it’s wonderful that our flag is flying over Westminster today. As one of the biggest counties in England with a focus on growth, prosperity and innovation, I’m delighted that Essex is being recognised by government.”

The blades are actually seaxes, a type of weapon that takes its name from the people who used them - the Saxons (meaning literally "the sons of the sword). The depiction of the blades themselves seems to have evolved over the years. The notches for example are a fanciful artistic elaboration – gouging chunks out of a weapon like this would weaken its solidity and usefulness and existing seaxes are also not curved like scimitars. These characteristics seem to be the products of nineteenth century heraldic fashion!

100% polyester flag
Featuring Official County Flag of Essex
Size: 5ft x 3ft
The name "Essex" means the land of the East Saxons - one of the founding tribes of the English nation.