Flags of the Austrian Army during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars facts for kids
During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the army of the Habsburg monarchy used different kinds of flags. From 1768 to 1805, each group of soldiers called a battalion usually carried two flags. The first battalion, known as the Leib Battalion, had a special white flag called the Leibfahne. Other battalions carried yellow flags called Ordinarfahnen.
In 1805, the number of flags was reduced to one per battalion. The Leib Battalion still carried the white Leibfahne. Other battalions carried one Ordinarfahne. This changed back in 1806, then changed again in 1808 to one flag per battalion. Special soldier groups like Jäger battalions never carried flags after 1808.
Contents
Flag Sizes and Ribbons
How Big Were the Flags?
Infantry flags were quite large, measuring about 161 by 142 centimeters. They had colorful "flames" or wavy patterns on their edges. These flames were red, black, yellow, and white. On the special white Leibfahne, the yellow and white colors were replaced with gold and silver.
Special Ribbons: Ehrenbände
Flags sometimes had special multi-colored ribbons called Ehrenbände. These ribbons were usually given by the regiment's leader. They were attached to the top of the flag staff. These ribbons were only used on important ceremonial days. One ribbon from a Vienna Volunteer flag, given by Empress Maria Ludovika, can still be seen today.
Flag Designs Over Time
The 1792 Flag Pattern
At the start of the wars, the flags used a design from 1780. This design showed a black double-headed eagle. This eagle had a large shield on its chest. This shield showed the many Habsburg family symbols. It meant the empire was focusing on its own lands.
On the eagle's wings were the initials of the emperor. At first, it was 'JII' for Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor. When Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor became emperor, the flags stayed the same to save money. In 1792, when Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor became emperor, the 'J' on existing flags was changed to an 'F' by adding a bar. So, the initials became 'FII'.
The large shield on the flag showed symbols from all the lands the Habsburgs ruled or claimed. These included Hungary, Spain, Bohemia, Austria, and many others. Above the shield was the red and gold crown of Austria. On the white Leibfahne (the main flag), there was a picture of the Madonna and Child on a cloud.
The 1804 Flag Pattern
In 1804, a new flag design was ordered. This was to show that the Austrian Empire had been created. However, new flags were not made until 1805. Only a few of these 1804 flags still exist. One is in a museum in Vienna.
This flag design was interesting because it still showed the old Holy Roman Empire crown. The eagle's heads even had halos! The new Austrian crown was placed on top of the central shield. This shield had a simple black double-headed eagle with the red-white-red shield of Austria on its chest.
The 1806 Flag Pattern
A new flag design was introduced in 1806. This design showed the Emperor's new main title as ruler of Austria. This pattern was used until 1816. The symbols of the different regions were moved to the outer edges of the eagle's wings. The emperor's initials were removed.
The Madonna on the Leibfahne now had a halo of stars. The eagle's heads lost their halos but gained the new Imperial crown. The central shield now showed only three parts: Habsburg, Austria, and Lorraine.
Cavalry Standards
Cavalry regiments also carried flags, called standards. They usually had one standard for every two squadrons (groups of cavalry). The first squadron carried a special Leibstandarte. These standards were smaller than infantry flags, about 71 by 63 centimeters. Hussar regiments, a type of cavalry, only carried their standards on special occasions.
Cavalry standards seemed to be used for a longer time than infantry flags. Some standards captured in 1812 were very old, dating back to the 1700s. It is not clear if any 1804 pattern standards were made for cavalry. The 1806 cavalry standard looked like the infantry flag but did not have the regional shields on its wings.
Flags of Special Units
Flags from Early Wars (1794-1805)
During the French Revolutionary Wars, some special volunteer units were formed. For example, the Lüttich Volunteers had a flag divided into yellow and black sections with a white cross.
Two flags from the Erzherzog Karl Legion, a special unit from 1800, still exist. One shows the symbols of Bohemia, and the other shows the symbols of Moravia. These flags were carried by student battalions.
Flags from the 1809 War
In 1809, many new volunteer and militia battalions were formed. These units often used older flags or simpler designs. Some Landwehr (militia) battalions were supposed to carry one flag with their provincial symbols. Many used flags left over from earlier units.
The battalions from Styria, a region in Austria, had unique flags. They were white with green wavy edges. They often showed a white Styrian panther. Different battalions in Styria had variations, sometimes showing local saints on one side and the panther on the other. Their flagpoles were striped green and white.
Hungarian and Croatian Flags
Special flags were also used by Hungarian and Croatian units. Earlier Hungarian infantry flags often showed a religious symbol on one side and Hungarian symbols on the other. A Croatian flag from 1797 showed the Madonna and Child on a red and white checkered background. On the other side, it had the symbols of Varaždin.
In 1809, Hungarian infantry flags usually showed the Imperial eagle with the county's symbols. Hungarian Hussar units also had special swallow-tailed flags. These flags often showed the Hungarian symbols and the symbols of their local district. They also had mottos like "For God, King, and Law."
Surviving Flags Today
Many of these historic flags can still be seen in museums today. The Museum of Military History, Vienna in Austria and the Musée de l'Armée in France have many examples. Other flags are in the Musée de l’Empéri in France and the Bavarian Army Museum in Germany. The 1801 Požega flag is in the Croatian History Museum in Zagreb. These flags help us understand the history of these armies.
Images for kids
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1800 Bohemian & Moravian Legion flags from the New York Public Library Collection
