After 1000 years Leicestershire gets an official flag

It was the only English County without one.

The flag was first flown officially outside Parliament on Monday.

MPs from across the County supported the project, led by Alicia Kearns (MP for Rutland and Melton) along with the Flag for Leicestershire campaign group.

Just wonderful to see the Leicestershire Fox & Cinquefoil Flag fly for the first time as Leicestershire’s official flag!

It’s taken 1,000 years but thanks to local campaigners & the support of my fellow Leicestershire MPs, we are no longer the only English County without a flag! pic.twitter.com/NaXrTj2abe

— Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) July 19, 2021

According to the Flag Institute the flag combines three traditional symbols. 

The red and white zigzag (dancetté) background derives from the arms of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester.

The cinquefoil comes from the arms of the de Beaumont Earls of Leicester.

The running fox appears on the county crest, and many Leicestershire organisations also use it as an emblem.