Historically accurate flag construction

[Captain Stoat]

Anyone know how flags during the 1700s were constructed? More specifically, how were they attached? Did they use thicker edging with grommets similar to modern flags?

[William_Wodehouse]

I had to traul the internet for ages to understand anything about 1700's flags when I designed my knights Templar flags. The information is really obscure but I did come across a few interesting sites. (The sites are really badly designed but the information seems acurate.)

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/S...s/Signals.html
http://www.loeser.us/flags/colonies.html
http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/lennon/897/flags.html
http://flagspot.net/flags/fr~mon.html
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-hist.html

[Sadet]

Flags at Sea by Timothy Wilson, 1986.
"Early in the 17th century, as sea flags grew larger and more distinct from the flags used on land, it became normal for them to be attached to the staff all along the hoist, with rings or loops or a continuous lacing. This was not a method which made for rapid hoisting or lowering of flags, especially in the tops, and gradually it came to be superseded by the modern system of halyards: a rope is sewn through the hoist of the flag and this can be attached at either end to a halyard which passes through a block at the top of the flagstaff or mast; the flag is raised or lowered by pulling the halyard. This system was in use before the end of the 17th century, but did not totally supersede the older system until the end of the 18th."

That's the best I could find from the 3 flag sources I have.

Marion might be able to provide some wisdom here as well....

[Marion vanGhent]

What Sadet says jibes with my understanding: metal grommets were generally not used, but a rope was sewn into the hoist and attached either via seizing it to the halyard or via a loop-and-toggle system. While one can't see the attachment points in this picture from circa 1720, one can see the required sleeve at the hoist of both ensigns.

The most common alternative was similar to the way the "trysail" was attached on some snow-rigged ships: a semi-permanent "horse" ran from the end of the flagstaff to a suitable purchase; another rope was laced through the flag and around this horse (or occasionally replaced by individual rope "rings"). As mentioned, this was not condusive to rapid flag changes in the tops. Occasionally the attachment appears to have looped around the flagstaff itself. Rings can be seen fairly clearly here and here, while lacing is strongly suggested (but not clearly visible) here.

These methods only to "square" flags, however, as opposed to streamers and pennants. Streamers were usually fastened (via sleeve) to a wooden batten which spread the hoist, which itself was connected to the halyard by rope from either end (forming a closed V or Y). This can be seen, albeit not clearly, in the same image.

Pennants, on the other hand, were more or less permanently affixed to the mizzen mast via a pivoting metal bar which projected horizontally and was passed through a corresponding sleeve in part of the pennant itself. The sleeve and bar only ran a fraction of the pennant's length; this ensures that it stands away from the mast in light airs (thus not getting tangled up in stays, and remaining at least partially visible) without unduly interfering with its motion in a breeze. The effect can be seen here.

Unfortunately, our flag system doesn't really handle these latter types of attachment -- but I hope this information helps clarify and inspire!

[Captain Stoat]

Thanks for the research and info mates. I have a better idea now of what to do with that left hand side of my flag designs.