History of the Union Jack and Flags of the EmpireCumberland, Barlow
History
History of the Union Jack and Flags of the Empire
Cumberland, Barlow
Emblems -- Great Britain; Flags -- Great Britain
Thus it occurred that in 1606, in the fourth year after the joining
of the two thrones, the King, finding that difficulties kept arising
about their flags between the subjects of his two adjacent kingdoms,
considered it advisable to issue a proclamation declaring the manner
in which they were in future to display their national Jacks, and also
authorizing a new flag, which was to be used by each in addition to
their own national flag. This flag was the "additional" Jack of James
I. (16).
[Illustration: 16. JACK OF JAMES I., 1606.]
It is probable that the English sailor had objected to seeing the
Scottish cross raised on the mast above his English flag, and the
Scotsman, on his part, too, did not like to see St. Andrew below St.
George. The additional flag was designed for the purpose of meeting
this difficulty, and was ordered to be raised by itself upon the
mainmast. It is evident that some ships had been flying both the
national flags, for, as a further precaution, particular instruction
was given that each ship should fly only one national cross, and this
was to be only the cross of its own nationality. All controversy as to
the precedence of the respective Jacks was thus intended to be brought
to an end.
This proclamation of 1606, as copied from an original issue in the
British Museum, reads as follows:
"_A proclamation declaring what Flagges South and North Britaines
shall beare at Sea._
"BY THE KING:
"Whereas, some difference hath arisen between our subjects of South
and North Britaine travelling by Seas, about the bearing of their
Flagges: For the avoiding of all such contentions hereafter wee have,
with the advice of Our Councell, ordered: That from henceforth all
our subjects of this Isle and Kingdome of Great Britaine, and all our
members thereof, shall beare in their _maine toppe_ the Red Crosse,
commonly called St. George's Crosse, and the White Crosse, commonly
called St. Andrew's Crosse, _joyned together according to the forme
made by our heralds_, and sent by us to our Admerell to be published
to our subjects; and in their _fore-toppe_ our Subjects of South
Britaine shall weare the Red Crosse onely as they were wont, and our
Subjects of North Britaine in their _fore-toppe_ the White Crosse
onely as they were accustomed.
"Wherefore wee will and command all our Subjects to be conformable
and obedient to this our Order, and that from henceforth they do not
use to beare their flagges in any other sort, as they will answere to
contrary at their peril.
"Given at our Palace of Westminster, the twelfth day of April, in the
fourth yere of our Reine of Great Britaine, France and Ireland, etc.
God save the King."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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