A rare Union flag flown from HMS Royal Sovereign at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 will be displayed at Newcastle's Discovery Museum from October 17 to October 21, offering a limited-time chance to view the historic artifact before its permanent home is prepared.
Historic Significance and Local Connection
The flag, which was saved for the nation by North East Museums after its overseas sale was blocked, holds special significance for the North East. It flew from the flagship of Newcastle-born Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, whose crew was largely Geordie. The large hand-stitched flag may have been made by the sailors themselves, who celebrated England's victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets.
Display Details and Future Plans
The temporary display will be in the museum's atrium, opposite its other star exhibit Turbinia, and no tickets are required. The showing coincides with Trafalgar Day, marking the 221st anniversary of the battle. North East Museums aims to eventually put the flag on permanent display, which is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
The flag was purchased for £450,000, with additional costs for transport, storage, and conservation totaling £250,000. North East Museums has raised over two-thirds of the £700,000 target, including a £400,000 grant from The National Heritage Memorial Fund. A new £15,000 crowdfunder has been launched to help fund the permanent display, which will require reconfiguring a gallery at Discovery Museum to feature the flag as the centerpiece of an exhibition telling its story.
