Saint Alban's Cross

A saltire is attributed to Mercia in College of Arms Ms. L.14, dating from the reign of Henry III (d. 1272).

The arms were subsequently[year needed] used by the Abbey of St Albans.

[1] The cross has also been incorporated into a number of coats of arms, such as Hertfordshire county council and those of Mercian towns, including Tamworth, Leek and Blaby.

The flag was flown outside Birmingham Council House during 2009 while the Staffordshire Hoard was on display in the city, and is shown in street signs in Tamworth, the "ancient capital of Mercia".

Eventually the Institute decided to adopt the darker variant, as this tends to better match actual flags flown to represent Mercia, such as the one on Tamworth Castle.