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# Dictionary of Vexillology: L (Leading Edge – Letter of Marque)

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Last modified: 2026-07-11 by martin karner
Keywords: vexillological terms |
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On this page:

- LEADING EDGE
- LEAFY CROWN
- LEAVED
- LEECH
- LEFT DIAGONAL (or LEFT DIAGONAL BAR)
- LEFT-HOISTED
- LEGGED
- LEISURE ENSIGN
- LENGTH
- LESSER ARMS
- LETTER OF MARQUE (and/or REPRISAL)

LEADING EDGE
  An alternative term for the dexter edge of a vertically hung banner or a gonfalon.

  Please note, that this term has been introduced by the Editors as a vexillological alternative to the heraldically derived ”dexter edge”.

LEAFY CROWN
  A newly introduced term – and translation of the German Blattkrone – that may be used to describe a crown which is apparently formed from a series of leaves – a territorial or region crown, or a crown of leaves – but see the note below (also crown of arms, hamburgian coronet, mural crown 1), provincial crown 2)).

  Arms of Emil'chyne District, Ukraine; State Flag of Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Arms of Dubno District, Ukraine

  Please note that the mural crown which represents a village or rural area can also be composed of foliage rather than be masoned (as illustrated below) – see mural crown 2).

  Arms of Drozdy, Ukraine

LEAVED
  A term sometimes used in heraldic blazoning to indicate that a flower or plant is shown complete with its stalk and leaves (see also barbed, fructed, seeded, slipped).

  Flag of Müswangen, Switzerland; Flag of Podlehnik, Slovenia; Flag of Monthey, Switzerland

LEECH
  The edge of a sail that lies opposite to its yard, and is used (in place of “at the peak” on gaff-rigged vessels) to indicate the position of an ensign when flown from a halyard running from the outer end of the mainsail boom to the mast of a Bermuda rigged sailing yacht – instead of from an ensign staff at the stern (see also ensign 1), gaff, peak).

  Ensign Flown At The Leech: Ensign At The Peak

  Please note that an ensign should always be flown from an ensign staff at the stern whilst at anchor or berthed alongside.

LEFT DIAGONAL (or LEFT DIAGONAL BAR)
  See ascending diagonal 1) and bend sinister.

  Flag of Servion, Switzerland

LEFT-HOISTED
  A term that may be used (in place of its heraldic equivalent) when the obverse of a flag is depicted (or is manufactured) with its hoist to the observer’s left in accordance with Western tradition – but see dexter hoist and the note below (also hoist 1)).

  National Flag of Germany

  Please note that the Editors recommend the use of the heraldic term as being more accurate and will avoid any potential confusion.

LEGGED
  In heraldry see membered.

  Flag and Arms Černošín, Czechia

LEISURE ENSIGN
  See ‘yacht ensign’ under ensign.

  Ensign of the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club

LENGTH
  1) That dimension of a flag which is measured horizontally from the outside edge of the hoist (generally excluding the heading), to the opposite extreme edge of the fly (see also Appendix I, width).
  2) The longer dimension of a stripe or band within a flag – howsoever orientated.
  3) The dimension of an emblem, charge, shield, or badge measured horizontally, when it appears on a flag – but see the note below, height and width across (see also establishment of arms).

  Please note that definition 3) is given with regard to the consistent use of proportions when describing a flag and its charges, however, it is suggested that when giving the actual dimensions of any such charge the phrase ‘width across’ should be used for its horizontal measurement and the word ‘height’ for its vertical size.

LESSER ARMS
  See under arms.

  Lesser Arms of Bavaria, Germany and Sweden

LETTER OF MARQUE (and/or REPRISAL)
  See privateer(s) and its following note.

  Privateer Ensign, Spain 1820

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