, near Aylesford, Kent, allegedly named for the flag of
Hengist and Horsa. The origin of the horse as a symbol for Kent is unknown, but a common story relates to the
Jutes, post-Roman settlers in England from modern-day
Denmark. Historians such as the
Venerable Bede describe the leaders of the Jutes to have been brothers named
Hengist and Horsa, derived from the Old English words for "stallion" and "horse" respectively. However, records of the existence of these brothers don't arise until writings from the 9th century, though the Jutish invasion is said to have begun in the 5th, and many today believe them to be legendary. That said, they purportedly flew a banner of a white horse, and a sandstone megalith known as the
White Horse Stone in
Aylesford is said to have been erected in the name of Horsa. Another theory is that the horse originated from the design stamped on the currency of several pre-Roman English kings, such as
Dubnovellaunus of the Cantiaci, the tribe from which Kent possibly derives its name. Historian James Lloyd equates the White Horse of Kent with the
Saxon Steed, a continental emblem, though suggesting the two symbols derive from a common root rather than the one from the other. The continental emblem can be found from the coat of arms of
Lower Saxony, the Dutch region of
Twente, and the
House of Welf, who adapted it in the late 14th century. Lloyd confirms the existence of a Celtic horse cult in pre-Roman Kent; and points out that the Saxon emblem of the brother's time was the dragon, and that Kent was a Jutish, rather than a Saxon kingdom. He further suggests the Saxon Steed motif was invented in the 14th century "as a faux ancient symbol for the Saxons", being derived from an account by
Gobelinus of the myth of Hengist and Horsa in Britain, thus tracing both emblems independently to the same source.
John Speed referenced the horse as a symbol of Kent in his writings several times, though showed the flag not to be just a horse banner but the shield and crown on the flag too.
Hanoverian horse The
Saxon Steed, a depiction of a similar horse running, became widespread in coats of arms of various houses across Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries, including the
House of Hanover, leading to its use in the flag of the
Electorate of Hanover. Further,
George I, who was ruler of Hanover took the British throne in 1714, leading the horse to become a more widespread symbol in Britain. The
Kentish Post, a local newspaper, began use the horse next to the title on its front page in 1722, a practice continued by local papers to this day. Two flags were used in World War 2 by the
No. 131 Squadron RAF, the Kentish Squadron - one that bore the "invicta" motto and one with the white horse of Kent on it. Today, the Kent County Council's logo uses a simplified version of the horse on a red background as their logo. == Protocol and use ==