Cinque Ports

The Cinque Ports Flag is a community flag proclaiming the unique identity of these historic Kent and Sussex towns.

The flag of the Cinque Ports Authority is one of the most ancient in England. It comprising the forequarters of three golden lions on red joined by the early heraldic process of dimidiation to the stern sections of three gold ships on blue. Thus combining the 13th century arms of the English Kings with an image of ships, designed to symbolize the Ports’ Royal patronage and “ship service”.

The arms can only lawfully be displayed by the duly constituted local authorities for the Cinque Port towns and the Confederation, as their representative body. However the Confederation wished to offer an option to demonstrate such affinity or interest which anyone would be free to display.

The community flag design maintains the traditional banner as a basis, thus keeping a direct and clear link between the community and authority. However the design removed the dimidiated lions to just use the full golden ships on blue to symbolize the Ports’ maritime traditions and “ship service”, without trespassing upon their Royal associations by including the “lions of England”.

The application to the Flag Institute was authorised by the Standing Joint Committee, the governing body of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports, which is the officially recognised organisation representing all 14 surviving member towns/ports.