Banners have been with us in various forms from time immemorial, to serve as a focal point to the group - be it a primitive tribe, military formation or a group with common interests. The banner needs to be instantly recognisable and provide a rallying point in an emergency or indeed, as part of a ceremonial event encouraging inspiration, loyalty and affection.

We are all aware of the achievement of the Romans under the Roman Eagle, politically, economically, socially and technologically and it appears that Constantine, the great Roman Emperor on a night during the march of his army from York to Rome in A.D.312, before the battle of Saxa Rubra, (where he defeated the rival Emperor Maxientius).  claimed to have seen as a vision in the heavens of a Cross and the Greek letters Chi and Rho, together with the words “In Hoc Signo Vinces” meaning “in this sign thou shalt conquer”.

The Greek letters Chi and Rho are the monogram for Christ. Constantine believed his vision to be a message from God.

In commemoration and gratitude for his victory over Maxientius, Constantine decreed that Christianity was henceforth to be the state religion of the Roman Empire. Furthermore he had the Roman Eagle removed from the Standard of the Imperial Guard and replaced by the letters Chi and Rho.

It is from this symbol that the ecclesiastical development and use of banners is claimed to derive.