It has been decided and approved to improve, enhance and consolidate our Colours into a single BackPatch while our Crest, the Beauseant, remains unchanged as you can see from the above Knight's dirty 'Originals' against the dazzling new white Templar Shield.
As in the very beginning of the Order, before the red cross and white mantle of Papal acceptance, we still fly the Templar War banner 'Beauseant' meaning
'Be Noble, Be Glorious'.
The piebald black and white representing among other things the duality of life such as light/dark, masculine/feminine, Yin/Yang as well as the fight between good and evil. It is also the rallying sign of the Order... Ragged now thru battles fought, persecutions and the passage of time.
On top of which is emblazoned the ancient Seal of our Order the two poor Knights atop one horse, which also represents the duality of 'Warrior & Monk'... The insignia has been changed, due to our non-denominational creed, from 'Sigillum Militum Xpisti' meaning the 'Seal of the Soldiers/Knights of Christ' to 'Sigillum Militum Dei' meaning 'Seal of the Knights/Warriors of God'...
We fly 'Albion' if for no other reason than it is the legendary poetic name for these Scepted Isles.
Our Colours are the actual, legal and intellectual property of the Order. Only if a Brother/Sister leaves in good standing after long service and the governing body decree then they may be able keep their Colours in an honorary capacity. Otherwise all colours must be returned whole should a member leave or be dismissed.
An extract:
" The Templars are most excellent soldiers and when they go to war a standard of two colors called balzaus is borne before them. They go in silence. Their first attack is the most terrible. In going, they are the first. In returning, the last. They await the orders of their Master. When they think fit to make war and the trumpet has sounded, they sing in chorus the Psalm of David, "Not unto us, O Lord" kneeling on the blood and necks of the enemy, unless they have forced the troops of the enemy to retire altogether, or utterly broken them to pieces. Should any of them for any reason turn his back to the enemy, or come forth alive [from a defeat], or bear arms against the Christians, he is severely punished; the sign of his knighthood, is taken away with ignominy, he is cast from the society of brethren, and eats his food on the floor without a napkin for the space of one year. If the dogs molest him, he does not dare to drive them away. But at the end of the year, if the Master and brethren think his penance to have been sufficient, they restore him the belt of his former knighthood. These Templars live under a strict religious rule, obeying humbly, having no private property, eating sparingly, dressing meanly, and dwelling in tents."
The New Knighthood
Malcolm Barber
Canto Publications pg 179
So important was the view of the flying Beauséant, that before battle, the Marshall would select ten Templars to protect him and the banner. If the Marshall were killed during fighting, the Commander of Knights would take the banner that it may fly above battle for all to see. Somewhat of a catch twenty -two was that as long as the Beauséant flew the Templars must fight on and as long as the Templars fought on, the Beauséant must fly.
Its main purpose seems to have been as a rallying point for the Templars. During battle a particular tactic was the heavy horse charging into battle. This often caused the Templars to be separated from one another. The flying banner would allow them to easily regroup in order to continue the attack.
unknown author
These colours cannot be bought nor are they given freely but earned... Neither are they worn lightly nor are they simply for show... So...
Don't ever touch any part of ANY Clubs Member's colours, which includes the vest or jacket it's sewn on. This is considered serious disrespect, which has caused clubs to aggressively educate the un-informed. Don't be that fool cos if it's earned you have no idea what it means to them... It's just basic respect after all...