Last flown on D-day, this will provide a final chance to raise funds to keep the only known example of a Union command flag to survive from this period in the United Kingdom. 

The Minister’s ruling follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The Committee recommended that the export decision be deferred on the grounds that the flag is so closely connected with our history and national life that its departure would be a misfortune and that it is of outstanding significance for the study of flag making. The Committee awarded a starred rating to the flag, meaning that every possible effort should be made to raise enough money to keep it in the country. 

This large flag is the only surviving complete example of a command flag for the Admiral of the Fleet. It was flown for Richard, Earl Howe, from the main mast of his flag ship, the Queen Charlotte, at the Battle of the Glorious First of June in 1794. This battle was celebrated as a major victory by the British and was of great significance in shaping national identity: the British were united in defending their nation and monarchy.

The flag is accompanied by an 18th-century canvas kit bag stencilled ‘Lieut Burgh, Royal Navy’.  William Burgh was a midshipman on board the Queen Charlotte and was promoted to Lieutenant shortly afterwards. His relationship with the flag is not documented; he may have been responsible for raising the flag or have overseen its manufacture. The flag has been passed down through his family.

Further study of this flag with its exact provenance might ascertain whether it was made in a Royal Dockyard before the ship set sail or whether it was made in haste by men on board during the three-day running battle to replace one already damaged by combat.  

The decision on the export licence application for the flag will be deferred for a period ending on 3 july 2007 inclusive. This period may be extended until 3 September 2007 inclusive, if a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase the flag at the recommended price of £48,000 excluding VAT (£49,400 including VAT) is expressed.

Anyone interested in making an offer to purchase the flag should contact the owner’s agent through:
 
The Secretary
The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council,
Victoria House,
Southampton Row
London WC1B 4EA

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Notes to editors

1. Media enquiries on the operation of and casework arising from the work of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA) should  be directed to MLA Media Relations Manager, Anne Marie Todaro, on 020 7273 1472, email: annemarie.todaro@mla.gov.uk

2. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by MLA, which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria. Where the Committee finds that an object meets one or more of the criteria, it will normally recommend that the decision on the export licence application should be deferred for a specified period. An offer may then be made from within the United Kingdom at or above the fair market price.

3. Pictures of this item are available. Please email annemarie.todaro@mla.gov.uk (MLA no longer subscribes to the PixMedia website service.)

4. The flag is a very large pre-1801 pattern Union flag (ie prior to the addition of the saltaire of St Patrick) measuring some 5.56m long by 3.96m wide and made of loosely woven hand sewn wool bunting with a linen hoist.  It is complete and although fragile, it is in remarkable condition for its age and construction.

5. Admiral of the Fleet, Richard, Earl Howe (Black Dick Howe) 1725-1799, was a legend in the Royal Navy, noted as a disciplinarian, but also very popular with his men. It was said that he ‘never smiled unless a battle was at hand.’ Howe entered the Navy in 1739, was promoted to Captain in 1746 and elected Member of Parliament for Dartmouth in 1757. He saw distinguished service during the Seven Years War (1756-63) and again during the American War of Independence where he served as commandeer in Chief in North America between 1776-8. Promoted to full Admiral in 1782 he returned to active service as Commander in Chief in the Channel. Following a spell as First Lord of the Admiralty he again took command of the Channel Fleet in 1790 and in 1794, at the age of 69, took his fleet into the first major battle of the French Revolutionary wars. In 1796 he was appointed to the Navy’s most senior rank, Admiral of the Fleet and in 1797, shortly before retirement, was called upon by King George lll to bring  the Spithead mutiny to a peaceful end. Howe died on 5 August 1799. 

6. During the 17th and 18th centuries the Royal Navy’s arrangements for commanding large fleets of warships had developed into a consistent pattern with Admiral’s ships denoted by a system of command flags flown from the ship’s mast heads – hence the expression ‘flagship’.

7.  The Battle of the Glorious First of June 1794 was the first fleet action of the French Revolutionary Wars.  Howe commanding the Channel fleet (25 ships of the line) brought the French fleet of Villaret-Joyeuse (26 ships) to a running battle over three days from the 28 May to the 1 June.  The battle took part over 400 miles west of Ushant so far away from land that it became celebrated by its date – rather than location.  The date had another important significance as the King’s birthday. Howe’s fleet broke the French line of battle in three places sinking one ship, the Vengeur du Peuple, capturing six others and damaging many more.  It was portrayed and celebrated as a major naval victory – confirming the might of British sea power at the start of the naval campaign that was to lead to Trafalgar.

8. The battle was depicted by de Loutherbourg in his contemporary painting of the action which focuses in part on the action between Howe’s flagship the Queen Charlotte and Villaret-Joyeuse’s flagship Montagne.  The command flag is clearly shown flying at the Queen Charlotte’s main mast.