English politician. In 1640 he was elected a member of the Long Parliament, and was knighted in the same year. He was prominent in the impeachment of Archbishop Laud and from 164353 was in effect the civilian head of the Parliamentary government. At the Restoration of the monarchy he was executed.
The ‘Sun of May’ was added in 1818. The blue bands are a shade known as ‘celeste’, said to be the colour of the sky which inspired Argentine revolutionary Manuel Belgrano before battle. Effective date: 16 August 1985.