The Northumberland flag is based on a traditional flag which is the oldest known flag design in Britain. It is based on The Kingdom of Northumbria banner of purple and gold which hung over the tomb of St Oswald, the 7th century king of Northumbria. On the right is the Northumbrian cross also known as St Cuthberts cross. St Cuthbert is the patron saint of Northumbria to give the North East its correct historic name.Northumbria is the region between The Tees and the Tweed. St Cuthbert's cross is part of the crest of both Durham and Newcastle universities. The Northumbrian Association; "Strength from the past ,vision for the future". The Northumbrian Association is an independent organisation which has been at the heart of the campaign to have the Lindisfarne Gospels brought home permanently to this region from London and to promote all aspects of this regions' culture.