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Kent, United Kingdom

(?) by James Dignan

White Horse flag
Coat of arms
Kent regiments
Canterbury Cathedral
Diocese of Rochester
Admiral of the Medway
Port of Dover

White Horse Flag

It is uncertain if the white horse flag is actually used as such. If so, it would be a banner of arms, and may contain the word "INVICTA" below it. The Kent County Council uses the white horse on its logo:

located by James Dignan

This logo has the white horse of Kent, but I have a feeling that the Invicta flag is simply a banner of the county's arms, i.e., a white horse on dark red (certainly far darker than on the KCC logo!).
James Dignan, 10 June 2004

The white horse of Kent appears on the burgees and ensigns of the Medway Cruising Club and the Medway Yacht Club.
David Prothero, 10 June 2004

There is an illustration of the flag of Kent on page 63 of Bartram (2004). The horse is very definitely upright, like a circus horse rearing, and is offset towards the hoist.
Graham Bartram, 10 June 2004

This flag is very definitely flown (occasionally, still) from County Hall in Maidstone. Until the new Logo was adopted (?1990s) the heraldic banner was the only flag used by the County Council and flew daily from County Hall. It does NOT have the "Invicta" motto beneath the Horse. The grant of arms was made to Kent County Council in the 1930's, and the first flag caused a little controversy due to its red colour. It was presented by a local Labour MP, who was suspected of making a Socialist statement.

The position of the horse on the arms, logo and flag is indeed "rampant" , that is, rearing on one hind legs -- but this version dates only from the 1930's Grant of Arms. Earlier versions depict the Horse as forcené (i.e. rearing naturally on its hind legs) or occasionally courant (running). Some 19th century versions
show the background colour as blue, and there is sometimes a green strip of turf below.

The "Invicta" motto is associated with the story of the Treaty of Swanscombe in 1067: according to local legend, William the Bastard, having seized the English throne, was travelling to Dover when he was met by the Cantware (the People of Kent). They demanded from him their ancient laws and rights, in which case he would have their loyalty, or else "battle most deadly". William granted the request, and Kent acceded to his reign by treaty, hence getting the motto "Invicta"
(unconquered). I have lived in Kent al