Abbey window's hidden link to American flag

With the eyes of the world on Washington D.C. for the inauguration of Donald Trump, a quiet corner of North Yorkshire can claim its own link to the office of president of the United States.

More than 3,500 miles from the Capitol, Selby Abbey is home to the Washington Window, one of the one of the oldest surviving examples of the coat of arms of America's first president, George Washington.

According to records, supported by the George Washington Presidential Library, the Washington D.C. flag is based on the coat of arms displayed in the abbey.

The window was likely installed to recognise the Wessington family, who later became the Washingtons.

The history of the abbey spans back to 1070 but the stained glass window was put in in the 14th Century, as part of an extension to the building.

"They're signs of the sponsorship or donations that were given to the abbey to help fund this extension," Canon John Weetman said.

"They had their family shields put up in the clerestory windows in recognition of their donations."

The coat of arms in the window displays three red stars above two red stripes, much like the flag of Washington D.C.

It is thought to commemorate John Wessington, Prior of Durham, who was a significant benefactor to the abbey.

Canon Weetman said: "Names of towns and people often change over the years and the Wessington family name developed into being the name 'Washington'.

"One of his descendants was known as George Washington, who of course became the first president of the United States'."

According to the Presidential Library, the Wessyngtons, or Washingtons, had been a prominent family in the county of Durham since the 12th Century.

It said William de Hertburn had settled at Wessyngton on the River Wear and took the name de Wessyngton, based on the name of the location.

Historians have suggested the Washington family coat of arms could even have inspired America's famous stars and stripes banner, making Selby Abbey an attraction for tourists.

"I guess there are various theories but I think the prevalent theory is that he got the idea for the stars and stripes from his family shield," Mr Weetman said.

However, Amanda Isaac, fine and decorative arts curator at The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, was not convinced by the theory.

"We're not aware of any connection between the Washington coat of arms and the US flag," she said.

Instead, the official resolution describes the symbolism of the flag to be 13 stars, representing the union, and white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.

However, Selby Abbey has had several American historians, tourists and ambassadors visit over the years to see the window.

"It's been recognised by the United States themselves as being of some particular note," Mr Weetman added.

In 1976, a ceremony was held at the abbey, attended by dignitaries such as the Lord Archbishop of York, the Cultural Attaché of the American Embassy and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, where a United States flag was installed next to the window.

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