The Union Flag (formerly known as the Great Union and popularly known as the 'Union Jack') is the British royal flag. It was first produced in 1606 in response to a royal proclamation of James I with the object of providing a single flag for both England (including Wales) and Scotland which might put an end to disputes concerning the precedence of their respective banners of St George and St Andrew. The Union Flag combined the blazonry of the two rival ensigns, not marshalling them by quartering, but by blending them into a single composition. This was achieved by charging the cross of St George with a narrow white border and placing it on the banner of St Andrew. On the first of January 1801 the second Union Flag superseded the flag of King James and Queen Anne with the incorporation of the banner of Ireland, the saltire of St Patrick, following the Union with Ireland. The Union Flag has never been officially adopted by law, and as such remains a royal flag. The United Kingdom, unlike other countries doesn't have a national flag, though the Union Flag is accepted as such by its widespread usage. Research Union Flag
Abbreviations
General Information
Research Union Flag