It is an inspiration for ourselves to have it thus brought to mind that our Union flag floats on every sea, and that on one-fifth of the earth's surface it is hailed as their union emblem by four hundred millions of fellow-patriots, in every clime, of many languages, and all religious faiths, each dearly loving their own native land and devoted to its welfare, but united in loyal brotherhood with their fellow, yet far-distant, Britons under One King, One Flag, One Empire. CHAPTER XXVI. _THE JACKS IN RED, WHITE AND BLUE ENSIGNS._ In its single form the Union Jack has these special duties, which have been noted, but combined in the upper corner of a larger flag it creates a general flag of the nation, and thus environed becomes a Union Ensign. Although usage has sometimes used the name, yet it is a misnomer to call a flag of this larger combined form a Union Jack, this being the proper name solely for the flag containing only the three island crosses. The distinction in the names arises from the early days when a smaller flag--bearing a national emblem or the crest or coat-of-arms of a liege lord--had been inserted in a larger flag. This larger flag, bearing the emblem or insignia of its wearers, was termed an "Ensign." Place our smaller union flag in the upper corner of a larger flag, and it there becomes the sign of identity, of allegiance, and of the union of British patriotism with the special story which is told by the colourings and form of the other parts, or fly, of such Ensign. [Illustration: PLATE VIII. 1 RED ENSIGN 2 WHITE ENSIGN 3 BLUE ENSIGN] The Union Jack was first quartered in the upper canton of three flags, the Red, White and Blue ensigns. These flags have arisen from the flags which were used of old to distinguish the ships of the respective squadrons into which British fleets were divided. Lord Lisle, in the time of Henry VIII., divided his fleet at Shoreham in 1545 into three squadrons, the _Vanwarde_, _Battle_ and _Wing_, corresponding in their position to the _van_, _centre_ and _rear_.[179] These were the germ of the _red_, _white_ and _blue_ squadrons of the seventeenth century. [179] Hakluyt. There were at that time only two distinguishing flags used in the navy, the Royal Standard and the St. George Jack. The admirals hoisted their flags in accordance with their rank upon their flagships, in 1545, in the following order:[180] Squadron. Admirals. 1. BATTLE { Royal Standard at main. { St. George at fore. 2. VANWARDE { St. George at main. { St. George at fore. 3. WING St. George at mizzen. The other ships of their respective squadrons displayed: Squadron. Ships. 1. BATTLE St. George at main. 2. VANWARDE St. George at fore. 3. WING St. George at mizzen. [180] Hannay: "Short History of the British Navy."