
Last modified: 2021-08-25 by  christopher oehler
 christopher oehler
Keywords: ingebjørg | norway | 
Links: FOTW homepage |
search | 
disclaimer and copyright | 
write us | 
mirrors
See also:
In Vlaggen van de wereld, w2n11a?, it says the first depiction known of the 
flag of Norway, as it was at that time (?), is on a seal of the Duchess of 
Ingebjørg, from 1318. Not only do I suspect her to be Duchess Ingebjørg of 
Something instead, but on the depicted seal she carries two flags. Dexter a flag 
with a lion rampant carrying an upright axe, which apparently matches the 
Norwegian arms of the time, but sinister she has a lion rampant on a field with 
three barulets. Was this the banner of arms of Something at the time?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 15 December 2011
This must refer to 
Ingeborg, Duchess of Södermanland, Halland and Estonia, Regent of Norway and 
Sweden. Her seal can be seen
here.
I don't know if the sinister flag is supposed to represent Sweden, and thus the 
seal was showing the two kingdoms over which she was regent; or if the sinister 
flag was Sodermanland, etc., and thus the flags were representing her father's 
and her husband's domains. But at least this may be a starting point for finding 
an answer.
Ned Smith, 15 December 2011
It so happens that this seal was used in an exposition, and by contacting 
them, I eventually got a reply from the Norwegian National Archive, where they 
tell me the other flag is for the House of Bjelbo, who were the rulers of Sweden, 
Norway at that time, and whose blood is said to have run through the veins of 
all Kings and Queens of Denmark, Norway and Sweden since.
As it happens, the arms of the House of Bjelbo share with the Frisian flags the 
Blue and White stripes and the Red lily leaves, though they are depicted more 
heart-shaped in Scandinavia, and shares with the Frisian arms the Golden lion on 
Blue. So, there's little doubt for me that we're seeing a blue flag with three 
white descending diagonals with over all a golden lion rampant.
I was going to do a quick cut and paste job on our depiction of the 
earliest-known flag of Norway. But unfortunately, I can't find it. Do we not 
have the flag the Duchess holds in her left hand? (Anyone who can do ancient 
lions?)
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 10 April 2012