Gibraltar

The Flag of Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a peninsula located at the southern end of Spain. The mountain on the peninsula, known as the Rock of Gibraltar was listed as 1 of the 3 pillars of Hercules in Greek mythology.

After the Romans, the Vandals held Gibraltar, only to be replaced by the Hispanic kingdom of the Visigoths. They where thrown out with the arrival of the Moors around 700, who held Gibraltar for 7 centuries. Finally, the Moors where driven out by the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1462 as part of the Spanish Reconquista.

In 1501, Gibraltar was passed to the Spanish crown, and Isabella I of Castille, in 1503, awarded Gibraltar its coat of arms that it uses today. 

In 1700, Charles II, the last Spanish monarch from the House of Habsburg died without any succession, so he bequeathed his titles and crown to Philip, who was the grandson of Charles II half sister and King Louis XIV of France. Philip then became the King of Spain, and because he was a son of the French Dauphin he was in line to succeed to the French throne. 

This gave rise to the fear that the massively powerful European based French empire would be unified with the hugely powerful and rich multi-continental Spanish empire. Such an empire would dominate the planet. And such where the fears that a coalition rose up to contest such accession in Europe. 

(It is worth noting, that England started the war in 1701, and halfway through passed the Act of Union, and ended the war in 1714 as Great Britain!)  

On one side, France and Spain with their allies the Hungarians and Bavaria, and on the other side, England/Great Britain, The Dutch Republic, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Duchy of Savoy, the Kingdom of Portugal, and the Habsburg Monarchy.

Finally in 1714 the culmination of peace talks resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht. This stripped France and Spain of many of their geographical holdings, and maintained the balance of power in Europe. One part of the Treaty of Utrecht saw Gibraltar ceded in perpetuity from Spain to Britain.

Spain did try to get Gibraltar back, attacking in 1727, and again in 1779 when they joined the American Revolutionary War on the side of the Americans. 

Given Gibraltar's location at the mouth of the Mediterranean, it became a vital base for the Royal Navy, and played a prominent role in the build up to the Battle of Trafalgar. It's strategic importance grew when trade to Asia ceased going round Africa and began running through the Mediterranean and through the Suez Canal.

During WWII, the civilian population was evacuated, and the Rock strengthened against invasion with a labyrinth of tunnels. Germany's desire to control the Mediterranean by seizing the Rock was frustrated when General Franco of Spain refused to allow the Germans to cross Spanish territory. 

In the 1950's Franco again asserted Spain's demand for the return of Gibraltar, and restricted movements over the border. However, in 1967 the Gibraltarians held a referendum and overwhelmingly rejected reunification with Spain. Franco responded by severing all links with Gibraltar and sealing the border.

In 1982, Spain partially opened the border, and fully opened the border in 1985 when Spain acceded to the European Community.

A second referendum was undertaken in 2002, which resulted in a second resounding rejection of union with Spain, and in 2006 Gibraltar voted on a new constitution which modernised Gibraltar as a British Overseas Territory. Part of which saw the votes in Gibraltar count towards the European elections as part of the south west of England.

The Coat of Arms for Gibraltar was awarded back in 1501 by Queen Isabella of Spain, and remained in use ever since. 

The shield is divided two thirds to one third. The top is two thirds white, and the bottom is one third red. A red castle with 3 towers is emblazoned on the white, with a golden key hanging down from the gates of the castle. 

The castle represents Gibraltar's natural strength as a military town, and the key represents Gibraltar's position as "The key to the Mediterranean."

Like many British Overseas Territories, Gibraltar uses a British ensign. However, different shields are used on the blue and red ensigns. The first coat of arms is emblazoned on the fly of the red ensign.

However, on the blue ensign, is a a plain red shield surrounded with intricate scrolling, and emblazoned on the shield is a gold version of the Gibraltarian 3 towered castle. With a golden key hanging from the gates.

However, the most popular flag in use, commonly seen along side the Union Jack and the European flag is a banner based on the shield. 

The flag is a bicolour banner, the top two thirds is white, and the bottom third is red. Blazoned on the centre is the Gibraltarian red three-towered castle with a golden key hanging from the gate.

This banner is hugely popular, and a symbol of pride along with the Union Jack for the people of Gibraltar.