Flag of the City of London facts for kids
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| Proportion | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Design | A centred red cross on a white background with a red sword in the upper left quarter |
The flag of the City of London is a special symbol for the historic part of London. It looks a lot like the flag of England, with a red cross on a white background. But it has an extra detail: a red sword in the top left corner. This sword is thought to stand for the sword that killed Saint Paul, who is the special protector, or patron saint, of the city.
The sword on the flag always points upwards. This is important because even when the flag is hung like a banner (on its side), the sword is designed to still point towards the top. This flag only represents the old, central part of London, which is about 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers) big. It does not represent the much larger area known as Greater London.
What the Flag Means and Its History
The flag is actually a "banner of arms." This means it's a flag version of the city's coat of arms. The sword on it is a key symbol. As mentioned, it's believed to represent the sword that killed Saint Paul, the city's patron saint. Saint Paul has been an important symbol for the City of London since the 1200s. Over time, his full image was replaced by just the sword.
Some people used to believe the sword was a dagger from a famous event in 1381. They thought it honored Sir William Walworth, who was the Lord Mayor of London at the time. He killed Wat Tyler, the leader of the Peasants' Revolt. A poem at Fishmongers' Hall even talks about this idea:
"Brave Walworth, Knight, lord mayor that slew
Rebellious Tyler in his alarmes;
The king therefore did give him in lieu
The dagger to the city armes."
However, this story is now thought to be a fable, or a made-up tale. Historians found that the sword was already on the city's coat of arms several months before Wat Tyler was killed. The earliest mention of the city's coat of arms was in April 1381, before Tyler's death in June. The old design, which included both Saint Paul and Saint Thomas Becket, was updated by Walworth to a new one that looks similar to today's design.
Where You Can See the Flag
You can see the City of London flag flying on many important buildings within the city. These include Guildhall, which is the main building for the city's government. You'll also see it at Mansion House, which is the official home of the Lord Mayor of London. The Lord Mayor even has a special version of the flag with his own coat of arms on it.
The flag also flies in places outside the City of London that are managed by the City of London Corporation. This is the group that governs the city. For example, you can spot the flag on Tower Bridge, at the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow Airport, and in Hampstead Heath. It's also used on landmarks like the bridges that are looked after by the Bridge House Estates.
You might have even seen this flag on a one pound coin! It was featured on the design for the 2010 coin.
See also
In Spanish: Bandera de la ciudad de Londres para niños
