TheKroaz Du (Black Cross,French:Croix Noire) is a flag ofBrittany, used as an emblem of the independent duchy in the lateMiddle Ages. In theBreton language,kroaz means cross anddu means black.
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There is uncertainty about the chronology of its origins. It clearly evolved from the flags of theCrusaders and some evidence shows that the black and white colors were taken from theermine spots that formed the coat of arms of thedukes of Brittany (adopted early in the 14th century and also used as a standard called the plain ermine flag).
It is widely known that the warriors of theFirst Crusade used the emblem of the red cross (later known as theSt George's Cross). Banners with crosses of distinct colors by nation were first used byCrusaders from about 1188. However, very few Breton barons joined thatThird Crusade, so it is more probable that the earliestKroaz Du was given toPeter I, Duke of Brittany byPope Gregory IX in 1236 or 1237.
The black cross standard became widely used as the emblem of the Breton soldiers and as the flag for the ships from the end of theHundred Years' War in the 15th century. Belligerent armies then identified themselves with flags inherited from the Crusades: red cross on white for the English, white cross on blue or red for the French, black cross on white for the Bretons.
It was often combined with the ducal coat of arms, hence a flag withermine spots in each quarter.
Some miniatures of the 15th century depict events of the previous century (at the beginning of the Hundred Years' War) by representing Breton knights with the black cross, but it is not really known if theBretons fought under this emblem during that century.
TheKroaz du was the flag representing Brittany on nautical charts of the 16th century. After annexation of 1532, there was never any treaty of union,[1] the admiralty of Brittany kept using the black cross flag for Breton ships (with a modified design).
It also remained the basis for the flags ofNantes and temporarily for those ofSaint-Malo andBrest.
The black cross was largely forgotten after theFrench Revolution, but some Catholic groups and scouts used it again at the end of the 19th century.
This flag has been largely replaced by theGwenn ha du during the 20th century. The latter is used by moderate nationalists and the general public, including the regional administration.
TheKroaz du has been revived since the late 1990s and was briefly regarded as an emblem of right-wing Breton nationalists (likeAdsav), but it is now more and more popular. On the basis of medieval miniatures, a version of the flag was adopted as the emblem of the town ofGuérande in 1999. It was also used to create the new flag ofSaint-Nazaire in 2008.[2]
This flag is an exactnegative of theflag of Cornwall, sometimes known as Saint Piran's Flag. The connections between Cornwall and Brittany are well documented but the historical links between the two flags, if any exist, are unknown.
TheUnited Baltic Duchy flag is similar in appearance but is aNordic Cross, rather than an equilateral cross.