The
White Dragon is the ancient emblem of the English
Origins
The Anglo-Saxon migration to Britain began in the 5th century
AD. The most famed of the early migrants were Hengest and
Horsa who arrived with their warriors in three ships. In
the following years many warriors and settlers crossed the
sea and settled lowland Britain from East to West. They
came from the Engle (English), the Seax (Saxons) and the
Jutes. From the Jutes came the people of Kent and the people
of the Isle of Wight and the mainland opposite Wight. From
the Saxons came the East Saxons (Essex) and the South Saxons
(Sussex) and the West Saxons (Wessex). From Angeln came
the East Engle (East Anglia), Middle Engle (English Midlands),
Mercians (Mercia), and all the Northumbrians (North of the
Humber), which included those now known as the Lowland Scots.
Unity
The Engles (English) were the dominant group and by the
9th century the settlers had merged into one English identity.
The English gave their name to the land they lived in (Englalond)
and the language they spoke (Englisc), which has evolved
into modern English. It was those writing in Latin who called
the English Angels and Anglo-Saxons.The settlers were closely
related peoples – so similar in appearance and culture
that they were able to merge into one English identity.
Later they absorbed closely related Danish and other Scandinavian
settlers.
The White Dragon
The English adopted the White Dragon as their battle flag,
while their enemy, the Welsh/Britons, flew the Red Dragon.
The Dragon was flown by Harold II, when he destroyed the
Norse army at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 and
it was the banner under which he and his warriors fought
to the death, three weeks later defending their homeland.
Modern Times
In the following centuries the flag of St George was adopted
as the flag of England, which it still is. However, in modern
times, when our country is seeing much change and turmoil,
the White Dragon flag is being revived as the flag of the
English. It is a symbol of our identity, our common history
and of the kinship of all the Anglo-Saxon people.
In displaying the flag we
assert and celebrate our communal identity and ancient roots.
The White Dragon is the flag of the English community –
the ethnic English – the descendents of those who
lived in England 1000 years ago.
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