FALKLAND ISLANDS
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The Falkland
Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas) are
a self-governing
British Overseas Territory, with the
United Kingdom responsible for its defence and foreign affairs. The islands
have a complex history stretching over five hundred years. Active exploration
and colonisation began only in the 18th century. After the Treaty of Utrecht between Spain, France, and
Great Britain of 1713 Spain claimed that this granted Spain sovereignty over
the islands based on the Treaty of Tordesillas, a claim rejected by Great
Britain. Later this
claim was continued by the Republic of Rio de la Plata, later Argentina, the successor
state of the spanish vice-kingdom of Rio de la Plata. In 1833 Great
Britain effectuated its claim when it occupied the islands and installed its
first British resident Lt Henry Smith in 1834.Under British rule a self-supporting
colony was established in the latter part of the 19th century. The islands,
due to their strategic importance, have remained a bone of contest between
Great Britain and Argentina culminating into the Falklands
War in 1982. |
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In
January 1851, Samuel Lafone and his creditors established the Royal Falkland Land, Cattle, Seal and
Whale Fishery Company.
This Company became the Falkland Islands
Company and was
chartered by Queen Victoria on
10.01.1852. It introduced
Cheviot sheep to the Islands. Samuel
Lafone selled his rights on the Islands to the new company for £20,000, but
remained a Director and Manager. A
population census estimated the peoples present on the Islands at 287. Captain
Campbell of the ship Levenside, was granted a licence to investigate the
guano deposits of New Island. An achievement
of the Company shows:
The achievement
on the flag is perhaps of Mr Samuel Fisher Lafone who possessed the southern part
of East Falkland called after him Lafonia. The flag was found recently in a
House in Stanley. [1] The
achievement is: Arms: Tierced per fess: 1. a bull statant; 2. a
fleece between two garbs; 3. a sailing ship on the roadstead. Crest: Unidentified Supporters: A cattle farmer and a horse Motto: FORTUNATI PRENSOS
DOMITARE TAUROS (The
Fortunate take the chance to raise Cattle).[2] On 10.02.1852 the Royal Falkland Land, Cattle,
Seal and Whale Fishery Company became the Falkland Islands
Company and introduced Cheviot sheep to the Islands.
Badge on blue ensign, 1876-1925 The badge
of the Falkland Islands depicts a wild bull on the shore and HMS Hebe sailing
on Falkland Sound. This badge was adopted 1876 and remained in use on the
flag until 1948. The
picture was also on the royal seal: |
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The first
Official Seal used during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), an
impression in red wax on piece (80Í84mm.) with paper overlay. In
addition to the Royal Arms and inscription “VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITANNIAR. REG. F.D./FALKLAND ISLANDS”, the design
depicts a wild bull and other cattle with H.M.S. “Beagle” in the background. |
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H.M.S. Beagle was the ship with which Charles
Darwin circumnavigated the globe on its second voyage. In 1903
the picture on the royal seal was changed but the use of the badge was
continued:
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The Official Seal as amended in 1903 by
Governor Grey-Wilson, an albino impression with grey background (88Í88mm.) on card. The inscription reads “EDWARDVS
VII D: G BRITT: ET TERRARVM TRANSMAR: QVAE IN DIT: SVNT BRIT: REX F: D: IND:
IMP:/FALKLAND ISLANDS” and the cattle replaced
by a seal, a penguin and two flying geese |
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The Official Seal for the reign of King
George V (1910-’36) by Governor Allardyce (1904-’14), an albino impression
with grey background (78Í81mm.) on card. The inscription reads “GEORGIVS
V D: G BRITT: ET TERRARVM TRANSMAR: QVAE IN DIT: SVNT BRIT: REX F: D: IND:
IMP:/FALKLAND ISLANDS” with the wild bull (now
alone) and H.M.S. “Beagle” returning from the original design |
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By Royal
Warrant of 16 October 1925 a coat of arms was adopted. It is:
Adopted 16.10.1925 Arms: Per bend the sinister chief
Azure, the rear of H.M.S. Endeavour in full sail proper; in dexter base Or, a
sea-lion proper. Motto: Desire the
Right on a plaited
leather strap The H.M.S. Endeavour was the ship used for shipping Navy stores
to the Falkland Islands 1771-’73. |
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The Official Seal for the reign of King
George VI (1936-‘52), an albino impression on wove paper (78 Í 78mm.), the inscription reading “GEORGE
VI BY THE GRACE OF GOD/OF GREAT BRITAIN IRELAND AND THE BRITISH DOMINIONS
BEYOND THE SEAS/KING DEFENDER OF THE FAITH EMPEROR OF INDIA” surrounding the arms of the colony inscribed “FALKLAND ISLANDS”. |
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1946: Britain included the Falkland Islands among the non-autonomous
territories subject to its administration, under Chapter XI of the UN charter By Royal
Warrant of 29 September 1948 the arms were changed. The new arms are:
Adopted 1948.09.29 Arms: Per fess wavy, the chief Azure an
cheviot sheep on a grassy ground, proper; in base barry wavy of five pieces
Argent and Azure the ship ‘Desire” with which John Davis took shelter among the
Falklands in 1592. Motto: DESIRE THE RIGHT in black script on agolden scroll Æ See illustration in the head of this
essay. The Falklands
motto Desire the right is in part based on Davis' ship Desire |
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FIDF
Cap Badge The Falkland
Islands Defence Force (FIDF) is the locally maintained
volunteer defence unit in the Falkland Islands. The FIDF works alongside the military
units supplied by the United Kingdom to ensure the security of the islands.
It traces its origin back to 1854 |
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The strategic importance
of the Falkland Islands was negated by the opening of the Panama Canal in
1914. To illustrate
the Argentine claim on the isles, called Islas Malvinas by Argentina, several
coats of arms were designed the first of which was:
Design of a coat of arms for the Malvinas loaded with symbolism Arms: Oval, a fess Argent, two arms shaking hands
proper symbolizing the historical, geographical and legal union of the
minland and the Islands. The chief tierced of the national colors Azure,
Argent and Azure symbolizing the Argentinity of the Islands. In base the schooner "Sarandi" on waves
of the sea, which had to leave the port of Soledad of the Falkland Islands,
where it was located on 2 January 1833, fulfilling a government mission in
custody of sovereignty and respect for fishing rights in those latitudes when
attacked by the "Clio" corvette. Crest: The Argentine sun of Liberty Supporters: Two dolphins to remember the maritime
dependence of the place and the navigation that necessary to arrive at those Islands,
since this, amongst others, is the symbolism of the dolphin since ancient
times. A second
design is from 1969 [3]
Arms: Parted per pale, the base per point arched.
In the sinister and dexter Two dolphins respecting Gules, The chief of Castile
and Leon, the base barry wavy of five pieces Azure and Argent. In nombril
point and escutcheon Azure, the Argentine sun of Liberty. Crown: An Argentine naval crown surmounted by the
four stars of the Southern cross, Or. Supporters: Two tritons amed with tridents Compartment: Waves of the sea Title: ISLAS MALVINAS From:
Jorge de Zarazaga-Berenguer: "Qué es la Heráldica".
"Esquemas", de Editorial Columba, 1969. |
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A third
design is from Juan Andrés Codazzi Aquirre: “El escudo de armas de las
Malvinas” in “Nuestras Malvinas-Terres Australes y Fronteras Argentninas” N°
2 de invierno de 1977.[4]
Arms: A narrow curve wavy Or. In chief tierced
per pale Azure, Argent charged with the Argentine sun of Liberty and Azure;
in base an anchor between two dolphins addorsed, heads in base, Argent, and
three five-pointed stars Or, 2 &1 Garland: a crown of laurel tied with a ribbon of the
national colors Azure-Argent and Azure Nevertheless,
the continued sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina led
to the Falklands War in 1982. |
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© Hubert de Vries 2012-04-04. Updated 2019-07-29
Heraldry of the World