Hawick Common Riding

The Flag is an important part of the events at the Hawick Common Riding today. It is proudly carried by the Cornet at all the major ceremonies. This flag is a copy of the ancient flag which was captured at Hornshole. The original has been long lost.

In 1707 the Town Council noticed that the flag being used had become torn and useless. They ordered that it be replaced. It is just possible that the replaced flag was the original. However, it was not preserved when the new flag was bought. The 1707 flag is still in existence and may be seen in the Museum at Wilton Lodge.

The flag is blue with a cross of gold (“A Banner Azure with Saltire Or”). It has the date “1514” in gold. The letters “ HC “ were added later. They stand for “Hawick Colour”. In the late 1800s studies of past flags showed that the shape of the flag should not be square or rectangular. It should instead be in the shape of a “ pennon “. A pennon is a long narrow triangular or swallow-tailed flag. This is the shape of the Flag used today.

It is believed that the first flag belonged to the Priory at Hexham. Indeed we know that men of Hexham had been in Dacre's force in the area around Hawick. A few years ago the people in charge of Hexham Abbey asked the Hawick Council for a copy of their flag. This request was granted. The copy they received still hangs on a wall in the Abbey

In the mid eighteenth century other flags were carried during the Common-Riding. Schools and guilds were represented in the Common Riding procession by mounted standard-bearers. Arguments, however, arose over which flags should come first. In 1747 the following order was agreed by the Council. First was the Town Flag followed by the Grammar School Flag. Then came the English School flag and lastly the `Prentice Colour. Two years later the Council decided that in the future there should be only one flag:

1749

“May 26-The which day the Bailies and Council have unanimously resolved that in time coming no Colour or Standard shall be carried on the Common-Riding days except the Town's Colour or Standard.”

This rule was not too strict as the Grammar School flag was still carried till about 1777. Since then, however, only one flag has been carried at the Common-Riding.