The English Fighting Man Standard
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The English Fighting Man beside the White Dragon: 1066 AD
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Harold Godwinson – King Harold II carried a personal standard known as the ‘Fighting Man’.
He himself was a well known English warrior and died at the age of 43 years at The Battle of Hastings in 1066.
See The Battle of Hastings.
The Fighting Man is a symbol that goes deep within the English psyche. Such a symbol carried during such a defeat. It highlights the English desire to stand up for what is right and just. Shoulder to shoulder against all odds. To stand by the underdog. We see that go through to Churchill and his iconic wartime messages, of the type - ‘we shall never be defeated.’
Harold Godwinson had fought in Wales and had helped throw the last vestiges of the Vikings out of Ireland (Dublin.) He was known to Duke William of Normandy as a good warrior.
Personal standards of English Monarchs became common after this. The 3 Lions and other symbols of English resilience and fortitude began to emerge. Followed by the Cross of St George. It is part of an often untaught heritage – but one which is universally gaining strength. These symbols are now in the ownership of the English people, not to one Royal family or any group.
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