De jachten Kitchen (kroo) en Cleveland (klevelant) tijdens de tocht van de Engelse koning Karel II over de Thames naar Sheerness en Chatham op 27 Augustus 1681 Possibly 1681 - 1688

This drawing of the royal yachts by Willem van de Velde the Elder captures a moment of regal pageantry on the Thames in 1681. Dominating the scene are the ships, their flags fluttering, symbols of power and maritime prowess in the 17th century. Notice the flags atop the masts. These banners are not mere decorations; they are potent emblems of national identity and royal authority. Flags, throughout history, have served as rallying points, their colors and symbols evoking deep-seated emotions of loyalty and belonging. Consider the Roman standards, or even earlier, the totemic symbols carried by tribal peoples. They all share this capacity to unite and inspire, to instill a collective will. These nautical flags have morphed over time, much like the ever-changing tides, yet the human impulse to create such symbols and imbue them with meaning remains constant. The emotional power they wield speaks to our need for collective identity, a need that resonates across centuries.