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English Royal Standards, House of Normandy 1066-1154

Last modified: 2012-03-17 by rob raeside
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William I, the Conqueror (1066-1087)

An interpretation of the image of the gonfalon and discussion is shown on our Bayeux Tapestry page. (2:7).


William II, Rufus (1087-1100), Henry I (1100-1135), Stephen (1135-1154), Henry II (1154-1189)

Whether any of these used a Royal Standard is unknown.
Peter Hans van der Muijzenberg
, 23 April 2002

From William I up to (but not including) Richard I, two lions, passant guardant. Davies in "The Isles" explains that Duke Rollo of Normandy (ancestor of William) had a lion on his banner, and two lions had been on Normandy's banner (still are) by the early 1000's. Still used by Plantagenets as Henry II claimed throne through his Norman mother. The second lion therefore cannot stand for England, but I have seen that they stood for Normandy and Maine; however, heraldry apparently wasn't that standardized by then to allow for this.

Richard I adds a lion, as that was the symbol of Aquitaine (still is) and he was Duke (pre-king). Again, not sure if heraldry allowed for this then. In any event, three lions.

Source: Norman Davies "The Isles."

Nathan Lamm, 30 June 2002


Continued as House of Plantagenet