HEXAB4126

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The Hawick Banner

banner | textile

fabric

Scottish cross with date 1514 and letters H C embroidered – Same colour dense fringe or ropework

1972?

In 1514, the year after Flodden, Lord Dacre (Bailiff of Hexham and March Warden) led a band of raiders that included Hexham men into Scotland. The Priory flag was captured by the Hawick Callants, the youths who alone were left to defend the town. It was appropriated as the Hawick Flag, with the initials H C and the vertical line. The banner, carried annually in the ‘Common Riding of the Marches’, and a statue of a horseman in Hawick High Street, are permanent reminders of the skirmish.
At the consecration of the nave in 1908 Hawick lent a copy of the banner to be carried in procession and afterwards presented the Abbey with a replica. June 4^th 1914 was the 400^th anniversary of its capture.
1961: “Hawick Callants banner erected in Nave Aisle.” [Churchwardens Record HEXAB9535 p11]
The banner was originally hung in the NW corner of the Chancel, but in 1963 it was moved to the North-Eastern-most pillar of the Nave.
“7. Hawick Flag. The Rector said he had received a letter from the Town Clerk of Hawick stating that some of his people were distressed at the condition of the Flag, and they would like to supply a new one. He, the Rector, had replied inviting him to the 1974 Celebrations, but it was intended to give the Flag this year. A probable date for a special service, was the Sunday before St Andrew's Day, but Civic dignitaries of Hexham would also need to be consulted.” [PCC Min. 9/8/1972 p120]
26 Nov 1972: “At a Service attended by the Provost, Town Clerk, and other representatives of the Burgh of Hawick, a Common Riding Flag was presented by them to the Abbey in place of the Replica which had been hanging there. Representatives of H.U.D.C. and H.R.D.C. were also present together with PCC and other Church-people. [Churchwardens Record HEXAB9535 p25]
On Sunday 26^th November 1972 the Provost of Hawick gave a new flag to the people of Hexham as a token of the friendship established between the two communities. The Rector then returned the 1908 flag to replace the original banner which had long since disintegrated. Bishop Ramsbotham had agreed to attend and refreshments at the Beaumont Hotel in the Ballroom at 35p per head + 10% were planned for members of the PCC, Civic Authorities from Hawick and Hexham, both Urban and Rural Councils, a total of 100–120 people. [Standing Ctte Min. 22/12/1972 p126]

Banners leaflet HEXAB9158.10; service of commemoration and reconciliation HEXAB9397.2.25

on display | hanging from one of the poles [HEXAB327]

Nave/North Aisle/Pier 1 (East)

Faculty: Remove one banneret of Hawick Callants from its present position in the Chancel where it will be replaced by the Loraine Banner, to a position on the North-Eastern-most pillar of the Nave so as to extend northwards into the Side Aisle. Faculty reg. no.3. Faculty no.2287, 14.2.1963. Northumberland Record Office, EP.184/80. P.C.C. Minutes 19.11.1962. Abbey Chronicle Mar.1963.
EP 184/158 (1972) Papers re Hawick Flag. Includes copy of official guide to Hawick, 1971; printed leaflet re Hawick Museum, n.d. printed leaflet ‘A Brief Outline of Hawick Common-Riding Ceremonies’, n.d. and printed Order of Service ‘for the presentation and reception of the Hawick Flag on Sunday, 26 November 1972 at 3pm’.
1987, 2 Dec. 1. Resiting of those colours and banners presently in the Nave, Chancel, and North Transept, in the North Nave. … Faculty reg. no.4. Faculty no.4130. A faculty was sought to move from the Chancel the personal banners of Lord Allendale and Sir Percy Loraine, and the Colours of the Scots Guards, into the nave aisle; also the Colours of the British Legion and the Northumberland Fusiliers from the east end of the nave. The Hawick Banner (already in North Nave Aisle) was to be lowered to “line up” with the remaining Banners. CND 20 Feb 2012.