Irish Brigade Flags - the "True Informer" and the Irish cross controversy

TRUE INFORMER AND OTHER SOURCES

Short Introduction here






Short Introduction here

POSSIBLE IRISH BRIGADE COLORS

0011.0
Field: White, possibly spattered with red, yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "AEQUUM EST PRO CHRISTO MORI" (It is just to die for Christ)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Red Crucifix
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Moran's source describes field as 'alibis respersis guts sanguineis' (white sprinkled with drops of blood). Blount says color was 'taken from the Irish Rebels in the late warres'
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p355
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35

0285.0
Field: Green (Vert), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "PATIOR UT VINCAM" (I suffer that I may conquer)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Christ carrying his cross on his shoulder
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p355
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Moran 17
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0112.0
Field: Yellow, yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "EXURGAT DEUS DISSIPENTUR INIMICI" (Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Resurrection of Christ
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Reid lists first motto as "EXURGAT DEUS, DISSIPEXTUR INIMICI".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p355
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0178.0
Field: Red (gules), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "IN NOMINE JESUS OMNE GENU FLECTITUR" (At the name of Jesus every knee shall bend)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Inscribed with the name of "Jesus" ("IHS") with a cross
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Blount (1655) claims it was captured from the Irish Rebels. First motto is from Phil. 2:10. Moran's source notes that Parliament had forbidden genuflection.
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0063.0
Field: Blue (azure), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "CUNCTAS HAERESES INTEREMISTI" (Thou has overcome all heresies)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Virgin Mary holding infant Jesus in her arms, and with her heals trampling on a serpent's head.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Not in Blount (1655). Reid lists first motto as "CUNCTAS HARESES INTEREMIST".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35

0417.0
Field: Blue (Azure), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "SOLVIT VINCULA DEUS" (God loosens the chains)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: An angel in white holding a sword with a gold handle cutting the chains of St Peter.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p355
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p43
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35

0322.0
Field: Red (gules), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "PRO DEO REGE ET PATINA [PATRIA]" (For God and the King and the Chalice [country])
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Two arms issue from clouds. One supports a chalice with a host over it, the other holds a sword to defend them.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Reid lists first motto as "PRO DEO, REGE AND PATINA".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 17
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0297.0
Field: Unknown (perhaps painted clouds), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "POST NUBILA PHOEBUS" (After the clouds comes the sun [Phoebus])
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Black roundel surrounded by a cloud out of which the sun is appearing.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 17
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0459.0
Field: Purple (purpure), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "VICTOR REDIT DE BARATHRO" (He swiftly returns victorious from the edge of hell)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: Christ delivering the Fathers out of limbo.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Not in Blount (1655). The first motto is a line from the latin hymn "The Lamb's high banquet called to share"
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Ryder, p44
Moran 18
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 124
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0141.0
Field: Red (gules), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "FORTITUDO MEA DESUPER" (My strength is from above)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: To left a silver armoured arm issuing from a cloud and holding a silver lamp (or lance).
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Moran appears to suggest arm is holding a lance rather than a lamp. Reid lists first motto as "FORTITUDO MEADE SUPER".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 18
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0141.0
Field: White (argent), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "SIC PEREUNT HAERESES" (Thus heresies perish)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: An armoured man setting fire to John Calvin's book 'Institutes. The book is inscribed "Calv:Instit".
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
Reid lists first motto as "SIO PEREUNT HARESES".
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 18
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 123
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

0088.0
Field: Purple (purpure), yellow canton with red saltire
First Motto: "DOMINUS VINDICAT POPULUM SUAM" (God will avenge his people)
Second Motto "VIVAT CAROLUS REX" (Long Live King Charles)
First Device: The figure of Judith holding a sword with the Holofernes severed head impaled upon it.
Second Device: Below Canton an imperial crown and inscription CR.
Notes:
References:
True Informer (28 Sept to 5 Oct 1644), p356
Blount (1655), sig N2a
Ryder, p44
Moran 18
Reid, Scots(3), opp p35
Hayes McCoy (a), 124
Hayes McCoy (b), p51

THE IRISH CROSS CONTROVERSY

USEFUL LINKS & REFERENCES

http://samsflags.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/development-history-of-irish-flags-pt5.html