THE UNION JACK AND THE BIRTH OF T HE UNITED-KINGDOM
The union jack: A very complex flag...
Flags are powerful symbols of identity and belonging, and few are as instantly recognizable as the union flag.
Whether draped around Olympic athletes or the focus of protests in Northern Ireland, this quintessential emblem of Britishness has been a source of controversy and high emotion since it was first flown more than 400 years ago.
It made its earliest appearance in 1606. James VI of Scotland had recently ascended to the throne of England, bringing the two countries together in a new realm he styled "the Kingdom of Great Britain". His ships were commanded to fly a flag that combined the red cross of Saint George and the white cross (saltire) of Saint Andrew.
Unhappy unions
Predictably, some Scots were unhappy that English Saint George overlaid Scottish Saint Andrew and a design for a "Scottish union flag" was put forward, placing the white cross over the red. The issue was settled in 1707 by Queen Anne, who chose red over white from a variety of designs.
That same year (1707), the Acts of Union were passed, unifying the two crowns and the two parliaments in one United Kingdom.
A further Act of Union, this time with Ireland in 1801, gave us the union flag we recognise today, when the red cross of Saint Patrick was added.
The union flag survived the partition of Ireland in 1921 and the Saint Patrick element of it continues to represent the place of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.
What about Wales?
Then there is the one glaring omission: Wales. Because Wales was annexed by England's Edward I back in 1282 and then "integrated" during the 16th Century, its place in the flag is represented by the cross of Saint George.
The issue = the problem
Whether draped around Olympic athletes or the focus of protests in Northern Ireland, this quintessential emblem of Britishness has been a source of controversy and high emotion since it was first flown more than 400 years ago.
It made its earliest appearance in 1606. James VI of Scotland had recently ascended to the throne of England, bringing the two countries together in a new realm he styled "the Kingdom of Great Britain". His ships were commanded to fly a flag that combined the red cross of Saint George and the white cross (saltire) of Saint Andrew.
Unhappy unions
Predictably, some Scots were unhappy that English Saint George overlaid Scottish Saint Andrew and a design for a "Scottish union flag" was put forward, placing the white cross over the red. The issue was settled in 1707 by Queen Anne, who chose red over white from a variety of designs.
That same year (1707), the Acts of Union were passed, unifying the two crowns and the two parliaments in one United Kingdom.
A further Act of Union, this time with Ireland in 1801, gave us the union flag we recognise today, when the red cross of Saint Patrick was added.
The union flag survived the partition of Ireland in 1921 and the Saint Patrick element of it continues to represent the place of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.
What about Wales?
Then there is the one glaring omission: Wales. Because Wales was annexed by England's Edward I back in 1282 and then "integrated" during the 16th Century, its place in the flag is represented by the cross of Saint George.
- Five things you may not know about the flag
The issue = the problem
Vidéos explicatives
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