Post by Trotxâ on Dec 12, 2005 16:17:41 GMT -6
The government of Pengöpäts requests help from the College of Arms. We need rules for sledging pennants for our visitors.
Trotxâ
From the Heraldry Society's Newsletter:
www.theheraldrysociety.com
New series LXXIII September 1999
A Quaint Old British Custom
Of all the customs which have been introduced on Antarctic expeditions one of the most curious must be taking south personal sledging flags. The idea of including such items with one's luggage appears to have begun in the Arctic when sledging flags were carried by some of those in search for Sir John Franklin in the 1850s. However, it was with Scott's Discovery Expedition (1901-04) that the custom became apparent, particularly with Naval officers and scientists.
The flags were highly prized and Edward Wilson wrote "Everyone is very fond of the sentiment attached to them".
This quaint British custom was again introduced on Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition (1907-09). Again they accompanied the owner on sledging trips when they were proudly flown from a bamboo mast lashed to a sledge.
Only a year later, Scott returned on his last expedition. Once again the officers equipped themselves with brightly coloured pennants. Griffin Taylor, a geographer, attached to the shore party observed that "many of the Afterguard were presented with sledge flags by friends before leaving England, while others had them made in Christchurch".
On Christmas Day the ward room of the Terra Nova as festooned with pennants which created a mediaeval atmosphere. The close of the expedition saw the custom largely fade out, although at least one sledging pennant was taken on Shackleton's Ross Sea Party in 1914-17.
However, the idea of flying some sort of sledging pennant in Antarctica has continued to the present day. During the first crossing of the continent in the summer of 1957-58, small, less elaborate pennants were flown from Sir Vivian Fuch's sno-cats, while in recent years it has not been uncommon for personal flags, often made at Scott Base, to have been flown from motor toboggans by New Zealand field parties. Displayed in the New Zealand, Canterbury Museum's Antarctic Gallery is the sledging flag flown by Sir Philip Brocklehurst, a geologist on the Nimrod expedition. It features the Brocklehurst Arms with three badgers or brocks.
Adapated from an article by David L. Harrowfield, in "The Press" (NZ) 13 August 1983