White Dragon (England)

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The White Dragon is reputedly a symbol of Anglo-Saxon England^[1]

1 Historical
2 Evidence
3 Possible Anglo-Saxon Use
4 Contemporary Use
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Historical

Almost bordering on mythical, the reference to the 'White Dragon', may stem originally from Nennius's Historia Brittonum (although he never specifically assigns colours to the dragons). This is later elaborated on in the 'Ancient Prophecies of Merlin' and Historia Regum Britanniae written by Geoffrey of Monmouth during the post Anglo-Saxon period, that is, shortly after the Noman conquest. This talks of a battle between a Red Dragon and a White Dragon^[2]. It is believed that the Red represented the native Britons or Brythons and the White represented the invading Saxons^[3]. In modern times, the Red Dragon appears in the Welsh flag.

[edit] Evidence

To date no evidence whatsoever can be found to support the existence of the White Dragon in England. No trace can be found in either history or tradition throughout the kingdom. This includes both the written and the unwritten: encompassing fact, folklore and fairytale.

n.b. The reader should be aware that none of the cited references refer to any published works.

[edit] Possible Anglo-Saxon Use

The White Dragon is not referenced in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle or Bede's Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, both of which are Anglo-Saxon writings from the period. However it is thought that the Kingdom of Kent used a White Horse as a flag^[4] and the Kingdom of Wessex used a Golden Wyvern^[5]. It has been argued that perhaps the flags were in fact the same thing, being differing versions of the same dragon flag, but with little care for detail or colour^[6].

There is a possibility that a White Dragon flag was used at the Battle of Hastings, by King Harold^[7]. Four possible depictions are used by people within the tapestry.

1. At a scene in Westminster, where King Edward dies, a man is shown placing what could be deemed a golden wyvern on flagpost at Westminster ^[8].
2. An Anglo-Saxon soldier is shown in one scene with an apparent white dragon on his shield, he maybe however possibly Norman^[9].
3. In the scene depicting Harold's death, a man immediately in front of him is shown flying a red dragon standard ^[10].
4. Two men in front of Harold is a slain soldier, showing a possible golden dragon on the floor ^[11].

Henry of Huntingdon and the alledged Matthew of Westminster both refer to a golden dragon being raised when talking of the Battle of Burford in 752AD. It should be noted that they both based writings on Bede and/or the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which did not mention the dragon.

Other than the references by Nennius, there are no other references to a White Dragon. Most references talk of the Golden Wyvern of Wessex being used in Anglo-Saxon times. The English Flag Society [1] have argued that the flag should be white, but appeared as golden/yellow because bleaching agents at the time have made it appear this colour. However, white is used in the Bayeux Tapestry^[12], as well as yellow and red in the dragon standards.

[edit] Contemporary Use

In the last few years, the White Dragon has been cited as basis for an 'original' Anglo-Saxon flag^[13]. Supporters claim that this flag should be representative of England, replacing the St George Cross. However, as evidence is scarce about the flags use as an Anglo-Saxon symbol, this remains highly controversial.^[14]