THE UNION JACK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7687, 23 April 1903, Page 2

THE UNION JACK.

ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY.

The history of tho Union Jack is little* known. The following has been given as

its origin ; — •

Bafnro the Crowns of England and Scotland were united under James I. the flag* carried by English ships was white,, with tho rod cross of St George emblazoned on it ; and that hoisted on board' the ships of Scotland was blue, with the cross of St Andrew on it; the red lines of the first; being perpendicular and horizontal, those of the latter diagonal. Some difference* having arisen between the ships of the two countries, his Majesty, to prevent this in. future, and to teach his people that they tormed one nation, ordained that a new flag should be adopted, having tho cross of" fit George interlaced with that of St Andrew, on the, blue ground of tho flag of Scotland. All ships were to carry it at the. main masthead, but English .ships were to' display the fit Oewiga's rod cross at their sterns" and Scottish dhips that of St Andrew

On April 12, 1606, tho Union Jack was first hoisted at sea, bub it was not until; ttie Parliamentary Union^of the two countries in 1707, that it \vafi adopted as th.e> military ling of Great Britain. Both «£- --vices now U3O ib as tho national banner, be PaiUick's cross was added in 1801. The flag now denotes th» union of the three k'mgdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland.