Back in February 2011, I received my copy of the book “The Bedford Flag Unfurled” by Sharon L. McDonald. Sharon was the Librarian at the Bedford Free Public Library in Bedford, Massachusetts for for many years.
My interest in contacting her, involved my ongoing historical flag research. Where I mentioned to her that a flag that resided in the Redwood Library could be older or in the same time period of the Bedford flag that could date back to the time of Charles I & II.
Sharon, conducted one of the finest research studies on the Bedford flag and should be greatly commended for her public service and dedication to one of the earliest datable & important flags surviving in the America’s today!
Sharon L. McDonald was such a sweetheart that after our wonderful conversation, she sent me a signed copy of her book that was free of charge! After several years, I have the privallage of being able to give her information that advances the provenance of the Flag that is indisputable in the vexillology world!
The Bedford flag show a heavenly cloud with a right arm in armor holding a sword. There is a swallow tailed ribbon with the latin motto VINCE AUT MORIRE (“Conquer Or Die”). From the clouds we see three orbs floating in the sky, advancing. Sharon wrote on Page 2 & 3 it is mentioned the ball or spheres over the years were identified as cannonballs, but she says their original meaning is unknown! Adding she says “The three balls on the Bedford flag beg for explanation”?
Sharons explanation can be now explained! The arm has nothing to do with God is on our side, which is a bunch of uneducated guessing! Why would people call the “White Balls” cannonballs? Below you can see two or three esoteric letter “E” symbols that the basic artists guild meaning of the day stood for “Emmanuel”, as in Jesus Christ! Giving the arm symbolism as the “RIGHT HAND OF GOD”!
(EE above maybe a blur to viewers, refer to the larger scale image at the top of the page. The EE is very clear)
Generally with 17th-18th century ribbons or scrolling in art, we find the symbolism of the Snake or Worm head at the end of the ribbon or this case the swallow tail of the ribbon scroll work. The snake and worm that represents Jesus Christ on the cross using his words “Im but just a Worm”. Both the art and scroll tips go hand in hand with an actual guild artist making this actual flag!
Thankfully, some of the early American Revolutionary War regimental flags of the colony of Connecticut survive. Like the Guidon of the Second Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Tallmadge’s Dragoons seen below.
(Note that the Scroll ends below on the flag are worms)
The arrows are a variant on the Thunderbolt theme.
The wings are of the Eagle, the bird sacred to Rome Legions and Jupiter.
All of the symbols combined are meant to give the impression that the Jupiter spiritually marches at the head of the Roman Army, watching over the soldiers and guiding them to victory.
Jupiter being the God of the sky and thunder, siting before and eagle and a globe. Painting on a wall surviving in Pompeii. The three circles on the Bedford flag can now factually be called globes, associated to Jupiter that are advancing to meet the enemy. More than likely with the Bedford flag being British, it would be symbolic to the times of the Cavaliers fighting the Round heads. The term Cavalier was first used by Roundheads as a term of abuse for the wealthier Royalist supporters of King Charles I and his son Charles II of England during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration (1642 – c. 1679).
Why would I refer the Bedford Flag as a Cavalier flag, Loyalist symbolism associated to the Stuarts? If you do advanced genealogy on the Page family behind the flag, you will find they are related in the mix! Below is a basic link to Sir Richard Robert Page and his wife’s maiden name was Mudge. Just like the address street with the Bedford flags resides at the Library being 7 Mudge Way, Bedford , MA. Somewhere we have direct family or direct cousins linked.
Sir Richard “Robert” Page (1565 – 1605) – Genealogy – Geni
Dec 26, 2017 – Genealogy for Sir Richard “Robert” Page (1565 – 1605) family tree on Geni, with over 180 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives.
The Cavaliers in Exile 1640–1660 – Page 111 – Google Books Result
One problem in the way of sending Page’s unfortunate two small sons to England was that Sir Richard’s brother Thomas seems to have had some doubts about the paternity of his two reputed nephews and so may have been reluctant to assume responsibility for them. The fate of the two children remains a mystery, as Hyde …
Rowland Laugharne – Wikipedia
Major General Rowland Laugharne (c. 1607–1675) was a member of the Welsh gentry and a prominent soldier in the English Civil War, during which he fought on both sides. Contents. [hide]. 1 Early life; 2 Civil War; 3 Death; 4 Bibliography; 5 References; 6 See also. Early life[edit]. Rowland Laugharne was the son of John …
Taken from the book “A History of Irish Flags from Earlier Times” by GA Hayes McCoy. Here you see Major General’s flag design flown by his Irish Troops, loyal to the Stuarts. Note that spectroscopic analysis of the paint on the Bedford flag revealed the pigment called “Prussian blue”, which did not exist before 1704. King James II and VII had died in 1701. The odds are that if the flag was made just after 1704, then were are looking at the Bedford MA. family who preserved the flag “Page Family” most likely were Loyalist Jacobites. Where the family was always loyal to the Stuart cause and if the Page family are the bloodlines directly to Sir Richard Robert Page or direct cousins. You would bet that a great way to upset a bunch of British Hanoverians during the outbreak of the American Revolution would be to fly a Loyalist Stuart flag of such!
Keep in mind this paper would upset many vexillologists, who are clueless to British history. Would still say you can’t link the Bedford flag to the Stuarts and Jacobites. Except we actually can link the flag to the exiled Stuart Kings.
Above is one of the early United States, proposed drawing by the Scottish Guild Artist Robert Scot (Jacobite). The history of a kid named Barton was fantasy, to prevent Scot from every getting put on a hit list by the British. We see a type of floral art that is a secret symbol to the exiled Stuarts. Where you also see them in four locations on the Bedford flag. There is a combination in the symbol that shows a type of arrow also! This is also found on the Jacobite buttons with the two arrows pointing to an X for the symbol of Scotland or St. Andrews Cross. Note the Roman and Minerva, they are not addressed as a Roman or Minerva. Also the proposed obverse seal drawing has a lady Liberty seated with the pole and liberty cap! Again, scholars wrote out of history that that symbolism was Prince Charles Edward Stuarts propaganda symbolism before the 1745 Uprising. Look real close at the Bedford flags, Sword guard, note the worms curled as the guard.
Pictured above is the fully documented historical medal that Robert Scot made for the University of Princeton. Note between the word Clay and Merit is the most perfect match of the symbolism mentioned above as a Scottish sovereign symbol found on the Bedford Flag. There are examples of the symbol with the arrows that you can see below on the Jacobite Button.
Interesting thing is that button scholars had always misinterpreted this button as being a George Washington inaugural button. You see “The Majesty of the People” with the morning star that is the badge symbol of the Knights Garter and Thistle. The two arrows point to the Cross of St. Andrews to let you know its symbolic to Bonnie Prince Charles “Charles Edward Stuart” or specifically to who is the rightful heir to the thrown of England, Scotland, Ireland and America! Not having to place any documented sources, this morning Star symbolism, symbolizes “Jupiter and is the 8 pointed star badge that the king and order of the Garter & Thistle wore on their left breast!
Pictured above is the 1783 Half Size Great seal that is located at at the Museum in Washington Crossing NJ. This is the controversial relic that the United States Government refuses to police. ICE and the FED’s gave South Korea 2 or 3 lost jade seals that were stolen but will not police this relic today!
Pictured from the birds head, on his breast, sitting on top of the center of the shield is the “2” symbol that also represents Jupiter. All goes hand in hand with all the information presented, regarding the Bedford flag! From a modern day point of view, these people were really far out there with their symbols. But there is an old saying “Symbols Rule The World”!
American Relic Hysteries 