Does anyone have any information regarding the Flag depicting a Black Swan facing left which is flying over the sketch of the Swan Theatre by De Witt 1596 (copied by Arendt van Buchell. Why a Black Swan which at that time had been unheard of in Europe until discoveries by an English naturalist in 1790? I believe that in Elizabethan times references to a Black Swan were made in respect of a very valuable or inportant artefact of any nature and NOT to an unknown bird. My reason for enquiring is that in over thirty years of research I have been able to trace my family back to the late 15thC. It has been established for certain that my ancestors were using a Black Swan on their Coat of Arms in the very early 17thC but how and why this image was acquired remains opaque. However I do know that a John Maddox (my ancestor) was involved with Francis Langley in 1593/4 over the sale of a spectacular diamond which was part of the treasure of the Portugese Carrack "Madre de Dios" and had presumably been that part of the treasure which had been looted and which Sir Robert Cecil was attempting to trace and retrieve for the Queen. It is thought that this Diamond may have been referred to (in the Elizabethan code) as the "Black Swan". It is also highly likely that Francis Langley could and probably did make use of his "Diamond trading profits" in funding the building of the Swan Theatre
1594/96. Could this be the basis for the image on the flag. I know that flags were flown to indicate when a performance was being held and also coloured flags could indicate the type of play but those were the flags which would be displayed by the flag bearer at the foot of the top tower. My interest is in John Maddox who left London for Plymouth with a substantial sum of money immediately following these trading activities. He went on to becme a successful Merchant Adventurer and within 6 years was elected the Mayor of Plymouth and using the Black Swan as his family crest. Any information or advice would be very welcome. Regards PM.