Last modified: 2013-08-10 by ivan sache
Keywords: ionian islands | septinsular republic | law | united states of the ionian islands | lion: winged (yellow) | venice | canton: union jack |
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T.F. Mills, 8 May 1999
Flag of the Septinsular Republic - Image by António Martins, 9 May 1999
Quoting the book Hellenic flags [k7k97]:
The first official flag for an independent Greek state after the fall of Constantinople was the flag of the independent Ionian Republic. It was introduced in 1800 after a treaty which proclaimed the Ionian Islands a free and independent state. This flag remained in use until 1807, when the Ionian Islands were returned to France.
The State of the Ionian Islands introduced a blue flag with the winged lion of Saint Marcus holding the Gospel, from which sprung seven lances symbolising the seven Ionian Islands. In the years of the Venetian occupation the flag was white bearing the winged lion, while on the canton there was a depiction of each island's patron saint, with a cross.
Pascal Vagnat, 9 May 1999
Flag, 1815-1817
Roberto Breschi notes on his website that the 1800-1807 flag was also used 1815-1817. He notes that this flag had a red border like the 1817 flag.
Ben Cahoon, 22 December 2011
Flag, 1817-1864
Flag of the United States of the Ionian Islands, 1817-1864 - Image by António Martins, 9 May 1999
Quoting the book Hellenic flags [k7k97]:
From 1815 to 1864 the Ionian Islands were under the protection of England and were called the "United States of the Ionian Islands". The flag with the Venetian Lion was again in use after 1817, with the addition of the British flag on the upper corner.
Pascal Vagnat, 9 May 1999
Roberto Breschi notes on his website that the flag was adopted 2 May 1817.
Ben Cahoon, 22 December 2011
Extract from A Constitutional Chart of the United States of the Ionian Islands, as reproduced in an appendix to R.M. Martin's History of the Colonies of the British Empire (1834).
Ratified by HRH the Prince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty 26th August 1817.Chapter VII. Miscellaneous.
Section VI. Of the National Colours and Armorial Bearings.
Article 1.
The national commercial flag of the United States of the Ionian Islands, as directed by the seventh article of the treaty of Paris, shall be the original flag of these States, with the addition of the British Union, to be placed in the upper corner, next to the flag-staff.
Article 2.
On usual days, the British colours shall be hoisted on all the forts within the United States of the Ionian Islands, but a standard shall be made, to be hoisted on days of public rejoicing and festivity, according to the model of the armorial bearings of the said States.
Article 3.
The arms or armorial bearings of the United States of the Ionian Islands shall hereafter consist of the British arms in the centre, surrounded by the arms of each of the islands composing the said States.
Article 4.
The armorial bearings of each of the islands shall consist of the individual arms of the islands, and such emblem, denoting the sovereign protection, as may be deemed advisable.
David Prothero, 8 May 1999
Scott Stamp and Coin Co. The International Postage Stamp Album, 1894 Edition (New York: The Scott Stamp and Coin Co., Limited, 1893) shows a flag with the Union Flag in canton and without the Gospel (image).
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 21 December 2011
The flag was instituted in 1817, so the Union canton is wrong. Perhaps the lion is also a mistake.
David Prothero, 22 December 2011