How many crosses on the union flag

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We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. As the legend goes, St. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross. Over time, iconography developed to show the apostle on the cross, to commemorate his martyrdom.

The year saw the Union of the Crowns, the event that brought Scotland and England together. When this went down, a combined British flag was created. This flag—the flag of Great Britain—is the predecessor to the modern Union Jack. This is what it looked like:. The third component of the Union Jack is owed to Ireland.

Read Next View. Hampton by Hilton London Park Royal. Eccleston Square Hotel. Georgian Guest House. Lansbury Heritage Hotel. The Congresbury Arms. Luxury Historic House. A Room With A View. Andrews Cross, Whereby the several Shipping may thereby be distinguished and We thereby the better discern the number and goodness of the same.

Wherefore We will and straitly command all Our Subjects forthwith to be conformable and obedient to this Our Order, as they will answer the contrary at their perils.

To this day civilian vessels are not permitted to use the Union Jack, and instead have their own jack a white bordered Union Jack. The courtesy flag is an appropriately coloured ensign red for civilian vessels, blue for government vessels, and white for naval vessels.

The Union Flag no longer made sense, so the English Parliament ordered the Admiralty to choose a new design — the first of several designs used until the restoration of King Charles II in May saw the return of the pre flags.

The first article of the Treaty of Union stated that the flag would be the crosses of St George and St Andrew conjoined in such a manner as the Queen [Anne] saw fit. Queen Anne decided to keep the existing design. Until Ireland had remained a separate kingdom under the British monarch. The College of Arms designed a new flag including a red saltire on white, counter-changed with the cross of St Andrew. The saltire subsequently known as the cross of St Patrick was chosen by the College to symbolise Ireland.

It was derived from the insignia of the Order of St Patrick, founded in , and also from the arms of the powerful Fitzgerald family, longstanding allies of British rule.