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Abdalwadid Kingdom of Tlemcen (Northern Africa, 1235-1550)

Flag of the Kingdom of Tlemcen, as shown in the "Catalan Atlas" (left) and in "The Book of All Kingdoms" (right) - Images by Tomislav Todorović, 27 July 2007

Presentation of Tlemcen
Flags of Tlemcen

See also:

Presentation of Tlemcen

Tlemcen, now called Tilimsi since the Algerian toponymic reform, was the capital of Central Maghreb, ruled by the Abdalwadid dynasty, in the XIVth-XVIth centuries.

Ivan Sache, 11 March 2001

Flags of Tlemcen

In the "Catalan Atlas" [c2q75], the flag of Tlemcen is silver with a black crescent. In the map, the silver field of the flag has darkened by age to very dark gray, almost black. In the above image of this flag, the shade of silver is shown according to the recommendations of the International Association of Amateur Heralds.

In the "Book of All Kingdoms" [f0fXX], the flag of Tlemcen is shield-shaped, like most flags in the book, with a large blue crescent in vertical position.

Tomislav Todorović, 27 July 2007

Flag of the Kingdom of Tlemcen, as shown by Znamierowski - Image by Ivan Sache, 11 March 2001

A flag of Tlemcen, a blue crescent pointing upwards on an white field, is shown by Znamierowski [zna99], who does not give precise sources for the flag. He mentions, however, that the first flags with the crescent appeared in portolans and navigation maps of XIVth century.
It is possible that "The Book of All Kingdoms" was the source for Znamierowski as well, because he mentions this book when speaking about the flags with the crescents from medieval sources.

Ivan Sache & Tomislav Todorović, 27 July 2007

The 62nd flag mentioned and illustrated in the "Book" is attributed to Tlemcen.
The 2005 Spanish illustrated transcription of the "Book" [f0f05] shows a white flag with a blue crescent, with black lining visible, pointing to the hoist; the flag is shown in the ogival default shape of this source.
The anonymous author of the "Book" describes the flag thusly: El rey de Tremecen á por señales un pendón blanco con una luna azul (The king of Tlemcen has for device a white pendon with a blue moon.) The flag is identical to the 42nd flag ("Cairo") shown in the Spanish transcription of the "Book".

António Martins, 27 November 2007

Two flags of Tlemcen shown in portolanos - Images by Jaume Ollé, 11 March 2001