"1700s French Naval Ensign?" Topic

It's a solid white flag?! Come on! Who's going to take my French band of English pirate hunters seriously if they're flying the flag of surrender?

There has to be an alternate French ensign. The only thing the internet has shown me is a solid white flag as the ensign and a blue flag with three fleur-de-lys as the national banner. I did see a royal ensign that's a white field with f-d-l's all over it, but it was used only for the royal family.

There's no way I'm putting a solid white flag on my French pirate hunter. Worse yet, my LotHS band needs a flag to fight under and a solid white one is not the answer.

Help!

I don't think a white flag indicated a naval vessel surrendering for anyone at that time. Ships indicated their willingness to give up by striking their colors, not changing them to a white flag.

I would go with the national banner if the historical naval ensign is so objectionable to you.

Just my 2 cents worth ..

Dave

See here: tmg110.tripod.com/france1.htm
But of course the "white flag of surrender" didn't exist anyway, a ship would strike it's colours to signify end of combat.After all who would carry a flag only to be used when surrendering?

Of course, the practice of striking the colors had its problems as well. There are a number of documented instances where the ensign was shot away during a battle and the attacking vessel thought the ship was surrendering The resulting confusion often led to unpleasant consequences for all concerned.

Dave

I don't think a white flag indicated a naval vessel surrendering for anyone at that time. Ships indicated their willingness to give up by striking their colors, not changing them to a white flag.

For the refined gents at LSHM, I doubt they would think anything of it. Someone else might think I'm making a funny with a French crew with a white flag.

I may just might use the royal ensign and hope no one notices there's no nobles in my crew…..

Jared

Aha, c aptains were permitted to fly the Royal Colours as a mark of Roayal favour, he is a favourite at court….

After all who would carry a flag only to be used when surrendering?

There's a joke just screaming to be made here, but I'll resist… and that ain't easy, let me tell you.

Hehehe … I often paint up units that had pink facings for my horse and musket armies. Wearing pink was not considered un-manly in the 17th- 19th centuries and many armies used pink as a facing color.

If I could find a french marine or colonial unit that had pink facings (don't think any actually did but ..) I would be compelled to build a French navy ship with a big white ensign to carry them.

Dave da rabble rouser

I recall placing my newest WSS Dutch horse on the table to much amusement; it was Saxe Heilburg and had white coats and pink facings with a nice pink flag.It proceeded to roll over a whole brigade of French horse on its own!!

Before the French Revolution, there was apparently no such thing as a French "national" banner. There were several similar flags that were used for different purposes, in different places, including as naval ensigns. One such flag is the all white one previously mentioned. Another is a white flag with three gold 'Fleur de Lys" or many gold "Fleur de Lys" (like the heraldic "France, ancient".) Additionally, there was a white flag with a large white cross outlined in silver or gold and often one or both cross and the flag's field were embroidered all over with gold or silver "Fleur de Lys" If you hate the idea of a white flag, you might use the old blue flag with "Fleu de Lys", (either 3 or many) or a flag of any color with a bold white cross on it, since this echoes the French regimental flags used in the War of Spanish Succession, c.1700. Either that or go for the century later Napoleonic era "tricolor" since much in the game is a little fantasy oriented anyway…

Check out these French Naval and civilian ships flags:

flagspot.net/flags/fr~mon.html

remember German tankers wore pink, and I dont think anyone would think if them as anything but manly