Back to Basics - The Union Flag

This wee boy from Wordful Wednesday grew up to be England's first Scottish monarch, King James I (James VI of Scotland). In a historic twist of irony, Elizabeth I of England died without an heir, leaving her crown to fall squarely on the head of King James VI, son of her nemesis, Mary, Queen of Scots. This fateful succession would lead to the creation of one of the greatest and most powerful nations the world has ever known.

In 1603, the same year he succeeded to the English throne, James I proposed the Union of Crowns - a union of England and Scotland - and in 1604, proclaimed himself King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. It seemed a natural fit considering he was the only monarch to ever rule both England and Scotland at the same time. It was King James who lit the spark that led to the union we know today as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.



Of course, a new nation must have a new flag so James I, now King of Great Britain, issued a royal proclamation in 1606 just for that very thing. And so the first Union Flag was created which combined the flag of England (St. George's Cross) with the flag of Scotland (The Saltire).




The Saltire or St. Andrew's Cross (Scotland's flag)


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St. George's Cross (England's flag)
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In 1801, after the union of the Kingdom of Great Britain with the Kingdom of Ireland, the St. Patrick's Cross was added to the original design, forming the flag that we recognize today.

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St. Patrick's Cross


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But why isn't Wales represented you ask? Well, technically Wales is considered part of England, thanks to King Edward I who annexed the country in 1282 and the Laws in Wales Act which followed almost three hundred years later. So the assumption is made that Wales is represented by the St. George's Cross but lately there has been a push to include the Welsh flag in the Union flag, arguing that Wales should be duly represented, just as the other three nations are. In the mean time, if you're flying this grand old flag, make sure you have it right side up, which is with the white area of the St. Andrew's Cross in the clockwise position to the St. Patrick's Cross (as shown).

Just in case you're still confused, here's a wonderful graphic that might clear things up a bit.