Royal Standard of Spain - Historical Standards, Guidons and Banners of Arms of Spanish Monarchs

Historical Standards, Guidons and Banners of Arms of Spanish Monarchs

  • The Banner of Arms was the ceremonial ensign of the monarch, the Royal Standard or Royal Flag was the ensign for a common use.
  • From Philip II reign the Royal Guidon was identical to the Royal Standard or Royal Flag with the Cross of Burgundy and a Gold fringe.
The Banners of Arms
Banner of Arms Dates Details
1475–1506 The banner of arms of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, whose marriage unified Spain, were on a crimson background:

Quarterly, 1 and 4. quarterly Castile-León, 2 and 3. per pale Aragon and Argon-Sicily.

In 1492 the conquest of Granada was symbolized by the addition enté en point of a quarter for Granada.

The banner of arms was also used as the Catholic Monarchs' Infantry ensign.
1518–1556 In 1504, Archduke Philip the Handsome (King of Castile and Leon by marriage with Joanna) immediately staked his claim to her inheritance by quartering his own arms with those of the Catholic Monarchs, the Spanish quarters were given precedence over his. Hence the arrangement became, quarterly: 1. and 4. grand quarters, quarterly: A. and D. quarterly Castile-León, B. and C. per pale Aragon-Sicily, the grand quarter enté en point for Granada; 2. and 3. grand quarters, quarterly Austria, Burgundy ancient, Burgundy modern, Brabant, with an escutcheon per pale Flanders and Tyrol. In 1518 their son Charles I of Spain (Charles V as Holy Roman Emperor) adopted a banner of arms that comprised these arms on a crimson background. The arms were crowned with the old royal crown (an open crown). After his election as Holy Roman Emperor in 1519 Charles used more often the imperial banner: A shield with his own arms surmounting a black double-headed eagle on a golden background.
1580–1668 During the reign of King Phillip II the arms of the Spanish Monarchy become fixed for the remainder of the House of Austria. Originally Philip II used the simplified arms as devised for his father, namely per fess with the Spanish quarters in chief and the Austrian quarters in base.

After the dynastic union with Portugal in 1580, the arms of the Monarchy became per fess, in chief per pale, A. quarterly Castile and Leon, B. per pale Aragon and Aragon-Sicily, the whole enté en point Granada and with an escutcheon of Portugal on the honor point; in base quarterly Austria, Burgundy ancient, Burgundy modern and Brabant, with an escutcheon (in the nombril point) per pale Flanders and Tyrol.
1668–1700 Even though Portugal and its possessions were lost in 1640, the Spanish kings retained the use of the Portuguese arms as arms of pretence until 1668.
1700–1761 The arms of Bourbon-Anjou were added in 1700 when Phillip V became king of Spain. He introduced changes in the royal arms of Spain. The king's new arms were designed by the French heraldist Clairambault in November 1700, and were as follows:

Per fess: 1. per pale, quarterly Castile and Aragon, enté en point Granada, and per pale, Aragon and Aragon-Sicily; 2. Quarterly, Austria, Burgundy ancient, Burgundy modern and Brabant; enté en point, per pale Flanders and Tyrol. Overall an escutcheon Anjou.
1761–1868
1875–1931		 In 1761 Charles III modified the arms as follows:

Quarterly of six (in three rows of two each): 1. per pale Aragon and Aragon-Sicily; 2. per pale Austria and Burgundy modern; 3. Farnese 4. Medici; 5. Burgundy ancient; 6. Brabant; enté en point per pale Flanders and Tyrol. Overall an escutcheon quarterly of Castile and León enté en point of Granada, overall Anjou. The royal arms were removed by the revolution of 1868. When the Bourbons were restored with Alfonso XII, a decree (Jan 8, 1875) recovered the coat of arms (and the banner of arms) as it stood until September 29, 1868 as personal arms. In 1930 Alfonso XIII, substituted the Aragon quarter with Jerusalem. The Spanish Monarch hasn't used a Banner of Arms since April 14, 1931, when the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed.
Royal Standard or Royal Flag
Standard Dates Details
1475–1492
 The Royal Standard or Royal Flag of the Catholic Monarchs was a white flag with the arms of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon in the center with an open royal crown.
1492–1506
 From 1492 the Catholic Monarchs's arms were borne by the eagle of Saint John, sable, and the conquest of Granada was symbolized by the addition enté en point, a Pomegranate, of a quarter for Granada.
1556–1580
1668–1700
 The Spanish Monarchs of the House of Habsburg used a crimson flag with the royal arms, crowned with a royal crown with three visible arches and the Order of the Golden Fleece.
1580–1668
 After the dynastic union with Portugal in 1580 an escutcheon of Portugal was added on the honor point in the royal arms.
1700–1761
 Philip V introduced in the Royal Standard the changes of the royal arms of Spain.
1761–1834
 In 1761 Charles III modified the royal arms, added the Farnese and Medici arms.
1838–1868
1875–1931
 In 1838 the colour of the Royal Standard was modified (crimson to Purpure).

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