Last modified: 2018-12-15 by rob raeside
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image by Jarig Bakker, 16 Aug 2007
adopted 19 June 2007
After the merger of the former municipalities of Amerongen, Doorn, Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Maarn and Leersum to the new municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug a new municipal flag was adopted. On 19 June 2007 it was hoisted for the first time in front of the Cultuurhuis in Doorn.
The flag is red with a yellow cross at 1/3 flaglength. Tophoist the
arms, the "Gaesbeekse leeuw" (Gaesbeek lion) has been placed. The
family of Van Gaesbeeck-Abcoude played a major part in the history of all
five former municipalities.
[red and yellow feature prominently is all former flags as well]
As can be seen on the Coat of Arms and on the newly hoisted flag: the white lion's
yellow crown and paws nearly fade away in the black background; I've made
it all white (which makes it slightly silly, but that's one of the most
endearing features of Dutch "lof"'s (lions on flags), for which
I don't apologize...
Jarig Bakker, 16 Aug 2007
When the Gaasbeek lion is placed on a shield its crown, tongue and nails
should be or (= yellow). However if used on a flag (like the one under
discussion) the separarate yellow color need not be used in my opinion
- a flag has to be as simple as possible.
[This is in agreement with Peter Hans vd Muizenberg's opinion and what
Stefan Lambrechts read on a pdf-file in the municipal website].
Other opinions may be valid as well: vexillology is not as strict as
most other exact sciences. :-)
The Lordship of Gaasbeek near Brussels (now part of the municipality
of Lennik, Flemish Brabant) got related to
Abcoude (Utrecht province) by Lord Sweder van Abcoude, who was in the 14th
century Lord of Gaasbeek, Abcoude, Strijen and Putten.
In that way Abcoude became part of a strange merger with a far away
possession! In Gaasbeek is still a sturdy Lord's castle. It is a Domain
of the State and a touristic attraction. The Coat of Arms with the four
quarters is listed as "Abcoude" in the famous Gelre Armorial.
This shows that vexillology and heraldry are closely related like brother
and sister and history plays funny games occasionally.
Willem van Ham, 16 Aug 2007
![[Utrechtse Heuvelrug Coat of Arms]](../images/n/nl-ut)uh.gif)
image by Jarig Bakker, 16 Aug 2007
A Coat of Arms was reported by Stefan Lambrechts on 9 Oct 2006 (I don't
know whether the link functions still) here.
The arms show elements of the arms of the 5 former municipalities:
"Quartered by a cross argent, the first quarter noir a lion argent,
tongued, nailed and cowned or; the other quarters gules, charged with a
column, a fleur-de-lis and a wheel, all or. The shield is surmounted by
a crown or of three leaves and two times three pearls".
The first quarter is for the lion from the arms of Driebergen (bastards
from the Van Gaesbeeck-Abcoude family). This family played a major rôle
in all former municipalities). After the episcopal vassal's chamber the
Gaesbeeck vassal's court was the largest one in Utrecht province.
Jarig Bakker, 16 Aug 2007