Kroaz Du

The Kroaz Du (Black Cross) is a flag of Brittany, used as an emblem of the independent duchy in the late Middle Ages. In the Breton language, "kroaz" means cross and "du" means black.

There is uncertainty about the chronology of its origins. It clearly evolved from the flags of the Crusaders and some evidence shows that the black and white colors were taken from the ermine spots that formed the coat of arms of the dukes of Brittany (adopted early in the 14th century and also used as a standard called the plain ermine flag).

It is widely known that the warriors of the First Crusade used the emblem of the red cross (later known as the St George's Cross). Banners with crosses of distinct colors by nation were first used by Crusaders from about 1188. However, very few Breton barons joined that Third Crusade, so it is more probable that the earliest Kroaz Du was given to Peter I, Duke of Brittany by Pope Gregory IX in 1236 or 1237.

The black cross standard became widely used as the emblem of the Breton soldiers and as the flag for the ships from the end of the Hundred Years' War in the 15th century. At that time, belligerent armies identified themselves with flags inherited from the Crusades: red cross on white for the English, white cross on blue or red for the French, black cross on white for the Bretons.

It was often combined with the ducal coat of arms, hence a flag with ermine spots in each quarter.

Some miniatures of the 15th century depict events of the previous century (at the beginning of the Hundred Years' War) by representing Breton knights with the black cross, but it is not really known if the Bretons fought under this emblem during that century.

The Kroaz du was the flag representing Brittany on nautical charts of the 16th century. After the union of Brittany with France in 1532, the admiralty of Brittany kept using the black cross flag for Breton ships (with a modified design).

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