1. The story of the United Kingdom
and the Union Flag
Judith Nohemi Ramos García

2. A flag containing three other flags.
The Union Flag, popularly known as the *Union Jack, is the
national flag of the United Kingdom. It is the British flag.

3. • It is called the Union Flag because it symbolises
the administrative union of the countries of the
United Kingdom. It is made up up of the
individual Flags of three of the Kingdom's
countries all united under one Sovereign - the
countries of 'England, of 'Scotland' and of
'Northern Ireland' (since 1921 only Northern
Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom).
As Wales was not a Kingdom but a Principality it
could not be included on the flag.

4. The Making of the Union Flag
St George - England
The National Flag of England
England is represented by the flag of St. George
In 1194 A.D., Richard I of England introduced the Cross of St. George, a red cross on
a white ground, as the National Flag of England.
At this point in the story on the United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales and
Ireland were separate countries. However, this was soon to change..
In 1536, under Henry VIII, an Act of Union was passed making Wales, in effect a
province of England.

5. The Making of the Union Flag
St Andrew - Scotland
After Queen Elizabeth I of England died in 1603, King James VI of Scotland
inherited the English throne and became King James I of England. It was a
Union of the Crowns, but not yet of the nations. Each country still kept their
own parliaments.
Early in his reign James attempted to combine England and Scotland in a
united kingdom of 'Great Britain'. This was the policy he presented to his first
Parliament, called on 22 March 1604. The union was resisted.

6. On 12 April 1606, the National Flags of Scotland and England were united for use at
sea, thus making the first Union 'Jack'. Ashore however, the old flags of England and
Scotland continued to be used by their respective countries.
When the red cross of England was put onto the
flag of Scotland, a white border was added
around the red cross for reasons of heraldry.
(The rules of heraldry demanded that two
colours must never touch each other.)
On 28th July, 1707, during the reign of Queen
Anne, this flag was by royal proclamation made
the National flag of Great Britain, for use ashore
and afloat.
The Act of Union of 1707, joined England and
Scotland together, creating a single kingdom
with a single Parliament called 'United Kingdom
of Great Britain'.
England Wales and Scotland were now united
together under one monarch and one
parliament.
Interesting:
The Royal Navy christened the British flag " The
When the 'Union Flag' was first introduced, in
1606, it was known simply as 'the British flag' or Union".
'the flag of Britain'.
Nearly one hundred years later, another country
was added to the Union flag ....

7. Ireland is represented by the cross of St. Patrick
(a diagonal red cross on a white background.)

8. On 1 January 1801, Ireland was united with Great Britain and it became necessary to
have a new National Flag in which Ireland was represented. The cross St Patrick was
combined with the Union Flag of St George and St Andrew, to create the Union Flag
that has been flown ever since.

9. The Union Flag with the St. George's Cross removed showing how the saltires
(diagonal crosses) are counterchanged.
The 'new' British flag is not symmetrical because of the counterchange.
As Scotland joined the Union nearly two hundred
years before Ireland, St Andrew's Cross was placed
uppermost in the top quarter nearest the flagstaff, this
being the most honourable position according to
heraldry, while the Irish Cross was given the second
most honourable position, the top quarter of the fly.
In order to avoid having the red of the Irish Cross
directly upon the blue field of the Scottish one an
edging of the white field of the Irish Cross is used.
The symbols of Scotland and Ireland are placed sided
by side on the Union Flag.
England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland were now all
joined together and called the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland. The name was later
changed to United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland when the greater part of Ireland left
the United Kingdom in 1921.
Important: The St. Patrick's Cross remains in the flag even
though today only Northern Ireland is part of the United
Kingdom.

10. The formation of the Union Flag (Union Jack) came about as the
result of the progressive merging of the inhabitants of the British Isles
under one throne.
1603 - King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne and became King James I of
England.
1606 - the National Flags of Scotland and England were united for use at sea, thus making
the first Union Flag
The first Union Flag (1606)
1707 - during the reign of Queen Anne, the first Union Flag was by royal proclamation
made the National flag of Great Britain, for use ashore and afloat.
1801 - Ireland was united with Great Britain and the present Union Flag was formed.
The Union Flag consists of the three heraldic crosses of St George, St Andrew and St
Patrick.