The story of the Duchy of Lancaster flag begins in 1267, when Edward “Crookback”, younger son of King Henry III, was granted the new title Earl of Lancaster. This created one of the most powerful noble estates in medieval England. Over the next century the Lancaster inheritance grew in size and importance, passing eventually to Henry of Grosmont, who in 1351 was elevated by Edward III to become the first Duke of Lancaster.
Henry of Grosmont left no surviving son, so his estates passed through his daughter Blanche but not the title. However, she was married to John of Gaunt, Edward III’s son. Therefore the King resurrected the title for his son John and brought the Duchy into the royal family. Their son, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed Richard II in 1399 to become Henry IV, making the Duchy inseparable from the Crown. From then on, every monarch has held the Duchy of Lancaster in trust.
The flag of the Duchy reflects these royal origins. It shows three golden lions passant guardant on a red background, with three blue bands bearing golden fleurs-de-lis. The lions are taken directly from the royal arms of England — but why three?
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In the 12th century, the Norman kings used a single lion (or leopard) on their shields.
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Richard I (“the Lionheart”) first bore two lions to represent his dual inheritance from Normandy and Aquitaine.
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By the 1190s, Richard’s arms had evolved to three golden lions, a design that became fixed as the enduring symbol of the English Crown.
The fleurs-de-lis were added in the 14th century by Edward III to emphasise England’s claim to the French throne. Their inclusion on the Duchy flag ties Lancaster directly to the monarchy’s wider ambitions.
Though the red rose later became Lancashire’s popular emblem, the Duchy of Lancaster flag preserves the medieval heraldry that links the city and county with the Crown. Flying over Lancaster Castle and Duchy properties, it stands as a reminder that this story began with Edward “Crookback” and grew into a royal legacy.
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