Abstract: A halyard retainer (10) eliminates noise created by the halyard (12) hitting a flagstaff (14) by retaining the halyard (12) at a greater distance than would normally separate the halyard (12) from the flagstaff (14). A base (30) fixedly secures the halyard retainer (10) to the flagstaff (14). The halyard restrictor (24) is at the distal end (20) of an arm (16) and includes two slots (26). The longitudinal portions (28) of the slots (26) allow the halyard retainer (10) to hold the halyard (12) without additional latches or locks. The arm (16) is rotatable about a first pin (42) between an operating position and a storage position and is locked into one of the two positions using a second pin (58).