![[Flag of Merton College]](../images/g/gb_oumer.gif)
Last modified: 2020-11-21 by rob raeside
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image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 9 February 2019External links:
Merton College of Oxford University flag is shown at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/etnobofin/603233173/in/set-72057594103676186/,
a Flickr photo by "etnobofin" uploaded 23 Jun 2007. It is a banner of arms - see
college website at
http://www.merton.ox.ac.uk/.
Jan Mertens, 22 November 2008
The arms are of Walter of Merton, Bishop of Rochester and founder of the
college. Unlike many of the other Oxford colleges, the college arms are not
modified slightly from those of the founder.
Sources:
(1) Personal
conversation, Postmaster of Merton College, May 1989
(2) Personal observation
and photograph, St Michael's Church, Basingstoke, 17 November 2008 (Walter is
depicted on an painting attached to the altar there, along with his arms and
those of his diocese. Walter's parents appear to be buried there.)
(3)
National Portrait Gallery, D23972, Walter de Merton, Bishop of Rochester, artist
Rudolph Ackermann, dated early nineteenth century, as consulted
http://www.npg.org.uk 23 November 2008
(4) ibid, National Portrait Gallery, D23974
(5) ibid, National Portrait
Gallery, D23973
(6) Malden, The Environs of London: volume 1: County of
Surrey (1792), pp. 332-337, as consulted
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45381, 23 November 2008
Colin Dobson, 23 November 2008
Blazon: “Or, three chevrons per pale, the first Azure and Gules, the second
Gules and Azure, the third as the first” found here:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45381.
Jan Mertens,
22 February 2009
The flag is a banner of arms (ratio 1:1).
Shield Or, three chevronels
parted per pale, the first and third Azure and Gules, the second Gules and
Azure.
Motto on white scroll beneath: “QUI TIMET DEUM FACIET BONA” (~= the
one who fears God, acts right
Meaning:
The college vies with Balliol for
being the second college of the University. It was founded in 1264 by Walter de
Merton, Bishop of Rochester. His arms are taken from arms of the Clare kin,
which bore a shield Or three chevronels Gules, for two members of this kin
helped in the foundation. Sometimes different college arms can be found, a
shield parted per pale displaying the current arms at sinister and “Argent a
saltire Gules, charged in centre with a scallop Or” at dexter. The dexter side
displays the arms of the Bishopric of Rochester. St. Andrew is the patron saint
of bishopric. The shell distinguished the Bishopric of Rochester from the Abbey,
for their arms were otherwise identical.
Source: John
P. Brooke-Little: Oxford University and its Colleges, Oxford 1962(?), available
online at
https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/articles/oxford-university-and-its-colleges/
and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merton_College,_Oxford.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 9 February 2019
Current
![[Blade]](../images/g/gb@oumer).gif)
image by
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 16 March 2019
Blade is white with red Greek
cross, i.e. the flag pattern.
Source: (for current versions):
https://www.reddit.com
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 16 March 2019
