Original British American Revolutionary War Era Ensign Flag with Hand-Painted King George III Heraldry & Pre-1801 Union Jack - Attributed to Royal Northumberland Fusiliers Formerly 5th Regiment of Foot Circa 1775 - 64 x 84”

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is by far the oldest flag we’ve ever had the pleasure of offering, and one that requires a great deal more research and conservation. This enormous single-sided silk flag bears the hand-painted heraldry of King George III, in use from 1760 to 1801 with his holdings of Hanover seen in the bottom right of the center, as well as the Pre-1801 Union Jack without St. Patrick’s Cross. This dates the flag to the Pre-1801 period, but is likely earlier.

This flag came with a hand-written tag reading in calligraphy on both sides:

From
The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
Formerly
5th Regt. of Foot
Circa 1775

This would not mean that the flag was used as a regimental flag, as the colors do not match the regiment. However, we do believe that the tag could mean that the flag was in use as an ensign by the regiment during the latter half of the 18th century.

This would be quite notable, as elements of the 5th Regiment of Foot were involved in the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775 and the Battle of Bunker Hill in June. They later took part in the expedition to New York, including the battles of Long Island and White Plains, and capture of Fort Washington and Fort Lee, New Jersey. They subsequently joined Howe's 1777 campaign against Philadelphia; at Brandywine Creek, they broke the Continental Army's centre and captured five cannon. Despite this success, in 1778 the British army withdrew and the regiment was involved in fighting at Monmouth Court House.

However, there is absolutely no provenance other than this note that signifies use by the 5th Regiment of Foot. There is absolutely more research to be done on this flag. The flag has gone through a great deal of partial conservation over the years, including some unfortunate tape repairs to the corners.

The large painted heraldry in the center has a great deal of stitching as shown, as at one point someone pasted a sheet behind it and sewed it in place to prevent further deterioration of the paint. Due to this, there are large tears to each side of the heraldry, and there is extreme tearing overall as shown. There is tearing in the Union Jack but overall, for its age of nearly 250 years, the flag has held up tremendously well. This flag can only be displayed from the side shown. Due to its fragility we did not attempt to flip it over to capture photos of the back.

Please understand that this flag is going to require a great deal of conservation work to bring it up to displayable standards. Framing it would be possible, but would be very costly. It would be best left laid flat under glass, despite its size.

We will ship the flag, however do understand the risks that come with doing so, and that the flag may be in even worse condition upon arrival. We are willing to offer pickup at our warehouse in Gillette, New Jersey for this item. The flag measures roughly 64 x 84” but understand that due to its tearing and creasing in spots, this may not be entirely accurate. The flag does retain a header which has seven small ropes with aglets at each end for attachment although we are unsure when these were added. 

A truly astounding flag that comes ready for further research, conservation, and eventually, display.

During the Seven Years' War, the 5th Regiment of Foot was engaged in the 1758 Raid on Cherbourg, the 1760 Battle of Warburg and Kirch Denkern in 1761, where they captured an entire French regiment. It also took part in the 1762 Battle of Wilhelmsthal, before returning to Ireland after the 1763 Treaty of Paris. Due to the increasing tensions that later resulted in the American Revolutionary War, the regiment was shipped to Boston, Massachusetts in May 1774. Elements of the unit were involved in the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775 and the Battle of Bunker Hill in June.

After being evacuated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1776 the 5th took part in the expedition to New York, including the battles of Long Island and White Plains, and capture of Fort Washington and Fort Lee, New Jersey. They subsequently joined Howe's 1777 campaign against Philadelphia; at Brandywine Creek, they broke the Continental Army's centre and captured five cannon. Despite this success, in 1778 the British army withdrew and the regiment was involved in fighting at Monmouth Court House.

In November 1778, they left New York for the last time and were transported to the French West Indies, where on 13 December 1778, they landed on Saint Lucia. The 5th was engaged with a small force of French and captured a four-cannon battery. On 18 December 1778, a force of 9,000 French troops landed on St. Lucia. The small British force of 1,400 men occupied a hill located on the neck of a peninsula. The French were fairly raw soldiers trained to fight in the classic European style of linear battles. The French advanced on the British force several times. The British, veterans of colonial fighting, inflicted a stinging defeat on the French. The French lost 400 killed and 1100 wounded to the British losses of ten killed and 130 wounded, which included two officers from the 5th Foot.

After two years in the West Indies, the 5th Foot was sent to Ireland in December 1780. They were still in Ireland when hostilities between Great Britain, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and the former Colonies officially ended in 1783.