King James had the habit of referring to a "Kingdom of Great Britain". However, despite the personal union which he represented, England and Scotland continued as separate kingdoms, each with its own parliament and laws, for another century. However, England was often referred to as South Britain(e) and Scotland as North Britain(e). On land, the matter never arose as both countries simply carried on using their respective flags, which was more to do in those days with the patronage of the relevant Patron Saint in times of war. However, the subject of ships arose because, of course, there are no country borders out at sea.
A number of designs were looked into, almost resulting in the one shown below in the middle of the bottom row, placing St George's Cross next to St Andrew's Cross, signed off by Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham and Lord High Admiral.
On 12 April 1606, the new flag to represent the regal union was specified in a royal decree, thus confirming that the flag was a royal flag representing the union of the Crowns rather than the actual countries. It was also geared towards usage at sea, as per the original remit. The notion of a 'national flag' had not arisen at that stage.
Although neither verbal blazon (heraldic description) nor a drawing of the first Union Flag exist, the full Decree reads as follows:
By the King.
Whereas some differences hath arisen between Our subjects of South and North Britaine travelling by Seas, about the bearing of their Flagges: For the avoiding of all contentions hereafter, Wee have, with the advice of our Councill ordered: That from henceforth all our Subjects of this Isle and Kingdome of Great Briatine, and all our members thereof, shall beare in their main-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 Admerall 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.
The "forme made by our heralds" was evidently the first Union Flag as shown here, which was used at sea from 1606 and more generally from 1707 to 1801. It came into use as a national flag following the Treaty of Union and Acts of Union 1707, gaining the status of "the Ensign armorial of Great Britain", the newly created state. It was later adopted by land forces. The flag was formally chosen as that of the new Kingdom on 17th April 1707, two weeks before the Acts of Union were to take effect. Sir Henry St George, Garter Principal King of Arms, had presented several possible designs to Queen Anne and the Privy Council |
The Union Flag shall be Azure, the Crosses Saltire of St. Andrew and St. Patrick, Quarterly per saltire countercharged Argent and Gules, the latter frimbriated of the second, surmounted by the Cross of St. George of the third, fimbriated as the Saltire.
Apart from the Union Jack, Saint Patrick's Cross has seldom been used to represent Ireland. It is usually considered to derive from the arms of the powerful FitzGerald family rather than any association with the Saint.
Union Jack or Union Flag?
www.flaginstitute.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Union-Jack-or-Union-Flag.pdf
As well as which way round to show the Flag of the United Kingdom, debate is almost as old as the flag itself about its name.
When first introduced in 1606, the ‘Union Jack’ was known simply as the ‘British flag’ or ‘flag of Britain’, and was ordered, as we have seen, to be flown from the main masthead of all English and Scottish ships, warships and merchant ships.
'Union Flag' seems pretty straightforward, but what of the term ‘jack’?
Most evidence indicates use of the word as a diminutive. Before 1600, ‘jack’ was certainly used to describe a small flag flown from the mast mounted at the end of the bowsprit (a mast protruding from the bow or front of a ship to which sails were fastened by means of forestays). By 1627, a small version of the Union flag – later described as the ‘Jack’, ‘Jack flag’ or ‘King’s Jack’ – seems to have flown commonly in this position. By 1674, during the reign of King Charles II, this flag was described formally as ‘His Majesty’s Jack’ and in common usage – officially acknowledged – as the Union Jack.
During the next Century, the bowsprit had fallen out of use and had disappeared. The principal naval distinguishing flag had now become the Ensign, whether red, white or blue but with the Union Flag in the Canton or top corner. A large version of the Ensign was now flown at the stern or rear of the ship or boat, which is still the custom. The bowsprit was replaced by the purely ceremonial 'jackstaff' (or staff for the Jack) which was specially rigged up at the bows. Therefore the term ‘jack’ predated the ‘jackstaff’ by over 150 years, rather than the other way round, with the term ‘jack’ originally denoting size rather than position.
Proclamations from Queen Anne regarding the use of Ensigns very clearly now referred to the Union Jack as the pattern of the Flag rather than its size.
From its earliest days, the Admiralty often referred to the flag – however it was used – as the Union Jack. An Admiralty Circular from 1902 is often cited as confirmation that either name could be used officially. However, as the United Kingdom has no written constitution, many aspects of British life are governed by common law, precedence and common usage. Sir Winston Churchill wrote to his mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, in 1899 and mentioned the 'Union Jack'. In a debate in the House of Lords on 14th July 1908, Earl Howe, then Lord Chamberlain to Queen Alexandra, asked for clarification:
"My Lords, I rise to ask His Majesty's Government, with a view to removing any possible doubt that may exist on the subject, whether it is a fact that the full Union Jack may be flown on land by every citizen..."
"I think it may fairly be stated, in reply to the noble Earl, that the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag, and it undoubtedly may be flown on land by all His Majesty's subjects."
My Lords, I am very pleased indeed to hear from His Majesty's Government the statement that the Union Jack may be flown on land by all British subjects. There has been a certain amount of doubt on the subject, and it is as well that it should have been set at rest. It is rather curious that a British citizen is about the only one who is not quite certain under what flag he really stands as a private citizen; and I have known of some instances in this country where the Union Jack has actually been pulled down by the police [!]. I am obliged to His Majesty's Government for having definitely cleared up this matter.
* Source: Hansard: 14 July 1908, Lords Sitting, POST OFFICE CONSOLIDATION BILL. THE FLYING OF THE UNION JACK: HL Deb 14 July 1908 vol 192 cc579-80. https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1908/jul/14/the-flying-of-the-union-jack#S4V0192P0_19080714_HOL_167
The Union Flag, technically, has no official status in the United Kingdom, and there are no national regulations concerning its use except for within Northern Ireland. However, it remains one of the most instantly-recognised flags in the world. This is chiefly due not only to its iconic and unusual design, but to the influence of British culture across the globe as a result of the British Empire, and its resulting and enduring presence in several Commonwealth nations' flags.