phespirit.notes:   the Union Flag

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNION FLAG

When James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England in 1603, the countries remained independent within a new realm called the Kingdom of Great Britain.

In 1606, James VI / I issued a proclamation which declared "what flags south and north Britains shall bear at sea". This heralded a new flag based on a joining of the flags of England and Scotland.

The Act of Union, which created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, came into effect on the 1st January 1801. The old banner of the Kingdom of Great Britain was duly altered to incorporate the red cross of St. Patrick counter-changed with the white cross of St. Andrew.

Thus was born the Union Flag.

NAMING OF THE 'UNION JACK'

Use of the word 'Union' in describing the flag can be traced back to 1625. The word 'Jack' was mostly probably added when describing a small Union Flag flown from the small mast mounted on the bowsprit.

By 1627, a small version of the Union Flag was commonly flown from the bowsprit of British ships and was called 'the Jack', or 'Jack Flag', or 'the King's Jack'.

By 1674, the flag was formally referred to as 'His Majesty's Jack' but was commonly known as 'the Union Jack' - a name which came to be officially acknowledged.

ORIENTATION OF THE UNION FLAG

correct:

incorrect:

This orientation assumes that the mast is to the left side of the flag: the broad white half of the top-left diagonal should always be at the top of the diagonal.

The Union Jack presented upside-down is taken as a sign of distress when flown in that manner by a ship at sea. At any other time, however, it is regarded as an act of lese-majesty - an insult to the crown - and remains punishable as an act of treason.