THE Story and Origin

OF THE Union

By Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. STURDEE

Past President St. George's Society.

(Reprinted from Saint John Globe)

PRICE, FIVE CENTS.

SAINT JOHN, N. B. The Saint John Globe Publishing Company, Limited. I908 The EDITH and LORNE PIERCE COLLECTION of CANADIANA

§)ueeris University at Kingston The Story and Origin of the ,

Banners and have always been Carried. St. George's Cross, St. Andrew's Cross, St. Patrick's Cross.

By Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. STURDEE.

The following story of the Union Jack, soldiers, but were also used at sea on Empire, has the glorious of the British ships and vessels, while in addition the been compiled to assist school teachers and others in imparting instruction on the sails of ships had the particular device meaning of the flag and the histories of thereon, and while the origin of flags also as a the different patron saints, and may be traced to land usage not only guide to those who take an interest in identifying the different nations, but flags and their proper significance, hoping for that it may be the means of more atten- to show the rank or force of each the tion being given by the public to knight or noble holding command in the colors. Many of the facts herein national the recorded have been taken from The History army, it was really at sea that of the Union Jack, by Barlow Cumberland, development of flags and banners was Esq., a most excellent book, and also from thereafter most in evidence, the flag on the World. Hulme's Flags of the mast showing clearly the nation to From the earliest times banners and which the vessel belonged. England was standards were used and carried by one of the first countries to have a nearly every nation and tribe, not only navy and to display the national flag on as a distinguishing mark, or as a point her ships. Alfred the Great from A. D. to indicate where the men of the differ- 871 to 901 encouraged the building of ent parties were to assemble, but as a war ships and ever since has the navy religious sign, and showing the cause of England and afterwards of Great or reason of the conflict; mention is Britain, been the ruling guide, the chief made in the Bible of people carrying defence of our country and the envy of before their armies, and using all the world; the earliest English flags them as a means to gather the different appear to have borne on them religious tribes or companies, each man knowing emblems and occasionally a lion or a the particular device which represented leopard, while there are instances his party, thus the Lion was known as showing only distinctive colors such as the emblem of the tribe of Judah, each red and , and later on armorial other tribe of the Jews having also bearings or heraldic devices of a county their own type, while later on the Eagle or a knight were emblazoned thereon, was adopted by the Romans and em- it is unnecessary to trace and describe blazoned on their banners, and so every all the flags used by England during nation had a national emblem, such as the early centuries, but to relate only the dragon for China, the- fieur-de-lys the origin of our present flag, the Union for France, the Crescent for Turkey, the Jack, or Great Union, and as the basis lion for England and Scotland, the harp of that flag is the red cross of St. for Ireland; these flags or standards George; the history of that will first were not only carried on land by the be told. The Story and Origin of the Union Jack.

ST. GEORGE'S CROSS.

St. George was born about 270 in which the present Union Flag has been Lydda, in Palestine, in the vale of built up, but not only was the red Sharon, celebrated for its roses and so cross seen on the English flag, for on the the rose is the national flower of Eng- invasion of Scotland in 1386 by Rich- land, and always associated with St. ard II. it was ordered that every person George. He was a Christian and when should bear the cross of the patron saint the Emperor Diocletian persecuted the on his coat or jacque both before and Christians St. George openly declared behind, and in 1513 the sailors of the himself and did all he could to save Cinque ports are said to have worn as his fellow countrymen and oppose the their uniform a coat of white cotton Emperor, but was put to death as a with a red cross and the arnrs of the martyr April 23rd, 303; this day is port underneath; another instance is re- known as St. George's day and has been corded in 1588 on the fall of Calais, so kept for hundreds of years; it is also when the city of raised a thou- related of him that he fought and killed sand men and made them white coats a fierce dragon and thus saved a Prin- and red crosses, thus the red cross was cess from death, so St. George is always established as the emblem of England represented in his combat with the and noble deeds were performed under dragon, he being on horseback and that banner, the crusaders carried it in carrying a banner with a red cross on the Holy Land, the ships of England a white ground; he was thus early look- won the great naval battle of Sluys and ed upon as a saint and his name and the soldiers were victorious under this symbol venerated. In 1190, when flag at Cressy, Poictiers and Agincourt. Richard I. of England joined in the Cabot, Drake and Frobisher sailed under crusades to the Holy Land his ships won it and the ships that defeated the great in a fierce fight with the Saracens near Spanish Armada carried it at their Beyrout, at a spot called St. George's mast heads; it is in compliment to the Bay, so named from the fact that it was ancient victories of the English that to- near this that St. George's famous day the St. George's cross is the dis- fight with the dragon took place. It tinguishing flag of a British and was reported that King Richard had flies on flag ships, those having an ad- seen a vision of St. George and his red miral on board, as his badge of rank, cross banner the night before the battle; and is also used on the command pen- and on his return to England in 1194 nant, a long flag or whip, flown by he adopted the St. George's cross as the every war ship in commission, while the emblem and and placed white or St. George's is the flag his army and the nation under the pro- of the . The cross is also tection of St. George; from that date used as part of the arms of the city of this cross became the national flag of London. England, and was the ground work from The Story and Origin of the Union Jack.

ST. ANDREW'S CROSS.

St. Andrew is supposed to have been flag was carried principally on land, as the first to introduce Christianity into the Scots never made any pretentions to Scotland, and for that reason from having a navy, although there were some very early times he has been known as freebooters, or sea rovers, who preyed the patron saint of that country, and upon English commerce, but they never his anniversary is kept by the Scotch on ventured very far from land. The St. the 30th November. Other reasons are George's cross for England and the St. also given, one being that some relics of Andrew's cross for Scotland were now the apostle were being brought to Scot- firmly established as the national flags land and the vessel being wrecked the of these countries and so continued for sacred bones were landed safely at the many years. port still called St. Andrew's; another UNION JACK OF JAMES I. tradition is that in 987 the Scots being attacked by the English under Athel- The first attempt of combining the stane there appeared in the sky the night two crosses on one flag was made after before the battle the cross of St. An- James VI. of Scotland became James I. drew formed in the white clouds against of England, who as soon as he came to the dark blue sky, and animated by this the throne in 1603 added to the royal sign the Scots the next day defeated the standard the personal flag of the sov- English, whose king was slain; since ereign, the red lion of Scotland and the then the cross of St. Andrew has been harp of Ireland; this flag under Queen adopted by the Scotch as their national Elizabeth had borne the three lions of flag; the St. Andrew's cross is a saltire England and the fleur-de-lys of France or diagonal cross, white on a dark blue only, but it was not until 1606 that any ground, and the origin is said to be change was made in the national flag. from the fact that St. Andrew consid- In that year King James authorized a ered himself unworthy to be crucified on new flag to be borne in the main top of a cross of the same shape as our all ships "The Red Crosse, commonly Saviour, and so chose one of an X called St. George's Crosse, and the shape on which he suffered martyrdom; White Crosse, commonly called St. An- the St. Andrew's cross was carried by drew's Crosse, joined together according Robert the Bruce, whose descendants, the to the forme made by our Heralds" and Earls of Elgin, still bear his banner; this flag was known as the "Union this flag was also carried at Bannock- Flagge," or Jack, but the separate Eng- burn when the Scots were victorious lish and Scotch crosses were still used over the English, and later on in 1385 by the two nations in addition to the when the Scots invaded the border new flag to distinguish the nationality counties of England they wore a white of the ships. The origin of the flag being St. Andrew's cross on their Jacques or called Jack cannot be clearly accounted coats both before and behind; the Scotch for. It has been stated that the above The Story and Origin of the Union Jack.

proclamation was the origin on account this was used on merchant vessels and of the King using the French name of probably also on shore in England for "Jacques,'' abbreviated as "Jac," and many years thereafter. the new flag was called the Jack of The next proclamations regarding James I., but on the other hand it is flags were made in 1707 in the reign of known that previous to this the English Queen Anne, when the union of England and Scotch tlags were generally called and Scotland and their parliaments be- Jacks, and from this it seems that the came an established fact, so it was found probable origin of the word came from necessary to have one flag to represent the fact that the respective crosses of the new union; this was set out in the each nation were borne on the coats or first article of the Treaty of Union, the Jacques of the soldiers, the latter word proclamation, therefore, recited this ar- meaning in heraldry the plain surface ticle, in which the crosses of St. George or outer dress on which an armorial de- and St. Andrew should be "conjoyned vice is borne, and thus the flag came to in such a manner as we should think be called Jack, though the proper name fit" and further appointed and describ- then for the flag was the Union Flag ed the to be used on board and later on the Great Union. It will be all ships or vessels whether employed noticed that while the two crosses were in the Queen's service or otherwise, but ordered to be joined together the flag prohibited the use of "our Jack, com- as then completed showed very much monly called the Union Jack," on any blue for St. Andrew's cross and very but the ships of the royal navy; this little white for the cross of St. George, proclamation did away with the former being only a narrow border for the red; ensign with the St. George's cross and this border was maintained on account thereafter the union was borne in the of a rule of heraldry which prohibits upper corner of that flag, so from this color being placed on color, or metal on time also the separate crosses of Eng- metal, and so there was just enough land and Scotland ceased as national white left to prevent the red from touch- flags, the plain St. George's cross be- ing the blue, or in the words of heraldry ing retained on a white pennant for use the white was simply a fimbriation to in the royal navy as a badge of the ship the red. This almost total disappear- being in command. ance of the white ground of the Eng- The drawing of the new Union Jack lish flag was the cause of some discon- of Queen Anne shows quite a difference ac- tent by that nation. Although the from that of King James; the latter, it tual union of England and Scotland was will be remembered, having only a nar- not accomplished for over a hundred row border or fimbriation of white to years after the first Union Jack was the St. George's cross, but the new flag adopted; the flag continued to be used, was made with broad white outside the though some different regulations were English red cross, which was thus re- made, thus in 1634 mechant vessels stored to its proper position, as a red were prohibited from using the Union cross on a white field. This flag con- Jack, which was reserved for the King's tinued to be used for nearly one hun- ships or war ships only, but during the dred years until Ireland came into the Commonwealth merchant vessels used union in 1801. what flags they chose, and war ships by St. Patrick from very early times has a proclamation made in 1649 reverted to been the patron saint of Ireland; uorn the use of the Red Cross, but in 1660 in Scotland near the close of the fourth the use of the Union Flag was restored century (authorities differ as to the to the King's ships, and in 1663 this re- exact date of his birth), one account gulation was again published and the states that he went as a young man flag then called officially for the first with his parents to Ireland and de- time "His Majesty's Jack," commonly voted himself to teaching the Irish called the "Union Jack," was directed to Christianity, and labored incessantly be used on King's ships only, the Jack among the people, suffering much and white, or St. George's cross, and the en- being often persecuted; another ac- sign red were appointed for use on mer- count states that he was taken pris- chant vessels: the ensign red being a oner by pirates when a child and sold red flag with a St. George's cross on a into Ireland as a serf, but escaping white ground in the upper corner, and later he went to the continent, there The Story and Origin of the Union Jack.

ST. PATRICK'S CROSS.

• embracing Christianity, and returned to tire) as St. Andrew's, but a red cros3 evangelize the Irish; he founded monas- on a white field. It was not until very teries, churches and schools, was after- much later, however, that it was at all wards made a deacon and priest and used, in fact not very much before the finally a bishop; he was called Patri- close of the seventeenth century, and cius on account of his ancestors, who Ireland had never been represented in were reported to have been nobles, and the national flag as Scotland was, ex- his labors in Ireland extended over cept for a brief period during the Com- forty years; certain it is that he did monwealth, and then by an ensign on a great deal for the Irish and is as which appeared a golden harp on a blue much revered as their saint by them ground. as St. George by the English or St. Andrew by the Scotch. St. Patrick's When in 1801 Ireland was admitted Day, March 17th, is always especially into the Union, it became necessary celebrated by the Irish. The origin of that that country should be represent- St. Patrick's cross or the Irish Jack is ed on the national flag, and as this bore very obscure. There is no early record already the crosses of England and Scot- of this flag being carried in battle by land, it was decided to add the Irish the Irish and they were never a nation cross, combining the three crosses on fond of the sea, but it is quite certain one flag. By a proclamation of King that the Irish cross was in some way George 111. of January 1st, 1801, the connected with St. Patrick; there is a details of the new combination were tradition that he suffered martyrdom given in heraldic language, it was de- on a cross of the same shaps as St. fined that the white cross of St. An- Andrew, but this is not generally ac- drew and the red cross of St. Patrick cepted; the most probable origin of were to be joined together quarterly the cross is that it was taken from a and counterchanged and that they were sacred standard or Labarum set up by to be surmounted by the cross of St. Constantine the Great, Emperor of George; therefore it was necessary to Rome, on which was displayed the first join three crosses on one flag, at the three Greek letters of the name of same time to do this in such a way Christ, X. P. I., or Chiro, and that the that Scotland and Ireland would have cross was taken from the first of equal honor; this was more difficult these, especially as Constantine had from the fact that the Scotch and Irish for a time lived in the North of Eng- crosses were the same shape and size, land, which, during the Roman occupa- and so the proclamation read that they tion, had been converted by missionaries were to be joined together from Scotland, from which St. Patrick quarterly and counterchanged. It originally came, and so the cross be- will be noticed that the St. came intimately connected with the George's cross and its wide border labors of St. Patrick in Ireland. St. divide the flag into four quarters or Patrick's cross is the same shape (sal- cantons, the two upper being numbered The Story and Origin of the Union Jack.

gaissi

THE PRESENT UNION JACK.

one and two, and the two lower three White border to St. George, 1-3 of and four, and that the widths of the red of St. George. two saltire crosses are differently placed Red cross of St. Patrick, 1-3 of red in each quarter; the reason is that of St. George. Scotland being the senior of the two, White border to St. Patrick, 1-6 of occupies the higher position in the first red of St. George. and third quarters, which are nearest Broad white of St. Andrew, 1-2 of red of the flagstaff, and that the positions are St. George. reversed in the second and fourth can- tons, that is, that in the first and third It will be seen from the above that quarters the broad white of St. An- the crosses of St. Andrew and St. Pat- drew is placed above the red cross ".nd rick have an equal share on the flag, its border, while in the second ^nd because the one- third of the red and fourth the red of St. Patrick and its one-sixth of the border of St. Patrick border are above, so that they are thus together are equal to one-half of the counterchanged, while laid over this or broad white of St. Andrew, although surmounting it is the red cross of St. Scotchmen may claim to have a larger George with its white border, indicat- share, as the blue ground they can ing clearly the leading part England call their own. It will be seen that in has taken in the Union and the lead- the proclamation of January 1st, 1801, ing position the English nation has the flag was called the Union flag and held, while each cross has been pre- is the correct name; though still called served intact and rests upon its own the Union Jack the latter term is proper ground or field, the white St. really more applicable to the flag or Andrew's on a blue field and the red Jack used on the bow of a ship of war, St. George's and St. Patrick's on white and flown on what are called Jack grounds, the whole forming a most staff's; to make a correct Union Jack it beautiful combination and one of the is necessary to draw two diagonal lines handsomest flags that has ever floated from the corners, when it will be found to the breeze. Further symbols may be that these are the centre and dividing taken from the heraldic meaning of the lines of the saltires, but while in a colors, namely, red for courage, white square flag these lines will intersect the for purity, and blue for truth; thus corners of St. George's cross in an each combination was carefully thought oblong flag they will not, so in making out in our flag and explicit instructions a flag it is best to draw the given for the different proportions, saltires first and the St. George's ;ross which have never been changed, the cor- over all; a little study will soon enable rect measurements being as follows, anyone to become familiar with the first bearing in mind that the length of proper design and proportions, so there a flag should be double its width: is no excuse for the Union Jack being Pved cross of St. George, 1-5 of width wrongly made or placed; a correct flag of flag. shows the broad white of St. Andrew The Story and Origin of the Union Jack,

in the first and third quarters upper- proper and ancient form of the Union most, and below the red in the other flag for use on colors of infantry in ac- quarters; if this is not so, then the cordance with that used by the Admir- llag has been either made wrong or alty. placed wrong end to the staff or pole; There is another point in connection in fact this is very often seen in the with the national flag which must be cheap flags used for decoration; this disposed of, and that is the assertion should be discouraged and only the that the ancient white cross of France proper flags used; another error often was introduced in it, or as a ground seen is the drawing of a so-called Union whereon the St. George's cross Avas Jack of simply two red crosses with a laid, but there is no authority or rea- very narrow margin of white, or per- son for this; true it is that for years haps none at all,, which is not a recog- the titles of the sovereigns of England nized flag, does not mean anything, and included that of France, and the fleur- is besides an insult to the national de-lys was borne on the national arms, Hag. but France was never intended to be "AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE.'' represented on the flag,and furthermore as the white cross of France was not of The Union Flag, as ordered by pro- * straight sides but shaped something clamations of 1707 and 1801, and so de- like a Maltese cross it never could have scribed according to the drawings made been so used, so the origin and history at the time has been herein treated, of the flag is truly British and the and there can be no doubt but what meanings and stories of the three the flag as at present used is absolutely crosses have been fully preserved. correct, but there have been conten- The Union Flag is essentially the na- tions that it is not properly made ac- tional flag; it shows the sovereignty of cording to the rules of heraldry. For Great Britain wherever it flies; it is some years after the proclamation of used as an army flag, being hoisted over 1801 the discussion was very warm in all forts, camps and military stations; the leading papers and magazines, the 'it is the King's color of all regiments contention those opposed to the flag by of the army, and can be flown by any as at present used, being that the St. British subject on shore; it is used by George's and St. Patrick's crosses Governors General and Lieutenant Gov- should have only a fimbriation or nar- ernors of colonies with the arms or row margin and that the broad white badge of. the colony in the centre, but should be equal to the of St. Andrew's cannot be used at sea except by ships red of the Irish cross, while on the of war on the Jack staff, as already other side it was clearly shown that the noted; when flown at the mast head it flag was correct from drawings made shows that an Admiral of the Fleet is in nothing more was and approved 1801; on board; the Union surrounded by a beard of this until 1900, when a large broad white border is a pilot flag only given an American firm for order was and should not be otherwise used. the supply of flags, this firm having no knowledge of the proper form of the THE THREE ENSIGNS. Union Flag asked the Garter King of An Ensign is generally a flag having Arms, London, for instructions, who 'in the first or upper the great sent a drawing according to what he Union, and of these there are three va- contended was the strict heraldic de- rieties, all having different uses; the sign which shows only the broad vhite first is the white or St. George's ensign, of St. Andrew and a narrow fimbriation on which is the cross of that name to St. George's and St. Patrick's crosses throughout the full length and breadth and though no order in council was ever with the Union as above noted; this is passed or any change authorized by the the distinguishing flag of the Royal Admiralty the flags were made of this Navy and cannot be used otherwise at design and instructions given for the sea under heavy penalty, though an army to have flags made according to exception has been made in favor of the this form; in 1901 and since a few Brit- , to which spe- ish regiments and also some regiments cial license has been given; every Brit- of Canadian militia were furnished with ish ship of war flies this flag at the colors of this pattern, but no change stern daily, and though it is often used was elsewhere made ; these flags are not on shore by private individuals, it has nearly so handsome as the proper Union there no special meaning. The Red flag nor do they convey the meaning Ensign with the Union in the upper of the three crosses. It is hoped regu- canfon only is used as a national llag lations will be made reverting to the by all British merchant vessels, and The Story and Origin of the Union Jack,

since 1892 the same flag with the arms strange that Wales is not represented1 of in the fly has been allowed in this flag, nor is that part of Great to Canadian merchant vessels; other Britain or any representation of its colonies, such as , etc., also patron, St. David, given a place on any use this ensign with their own particu- emblem; the first of March is, however, lar device, while a crown on the fly de- always kept a3 St. David's Day. notes a custom house flag; the red en- REGIMENTAL COLORS. sign, either plain or with the Canadian arms, is used very much on sh >re, Colors or flags carried by infantry though a maple leaf or some simple regiments are of silk, the first or King's emblem easier distinguished than the color is the Great Union and the se- arms would make a more distinctive cond or regimental is the same color as Canadian flag. the facings of the regiment with the The , which also has the Union in the first quarter and the par- Union in the first quarter, is only used ticular device of the corps on the fly; by the , or by mer- these flags are always consecrated on chant vessels commanded by an officer presentation and are to be treated with of the Royal Naval Reserve, provided a every respect; thus when colors are be- certain number of the crew are also ing carried through the streets soldiers members thereof; this flag with the salute them, and citizens generally arms of Canada in the fly is used by all should raise their hats out of respect. Canadian government vessels, which also when armed fly a command pen- HINTS ON FLAGS. nant of blue with St. George's cross at As a guide to those having charge of the head on a white ground; the plain flags, a few hints are given as to cer- Blue Ensign is authorized by special tain regulations and customs regarding permission for certain yacht clubs that them. The part of a flag next to the are allowed to call themselves Royal, flagstaff is called the hoist, the outer and by certain government departments part the field or fly; flags are generally in Great Britain, with special devices hoisted at 8 o'clock in the morning, and in the fly. by naval and military earlier, but should The - three Ensigns were formerly all never be allowed to fly after sunset. used by the Navy to distinguish the Flags are lowered to half mast as a different grades and ranks, each ship sign of mourning, but should then be flying a flag of the color of the admiral only the width of the flag from the top commanding its squadron, there being of the flagstaff; when a flag is to be Admirals of the White, Red and Blue, placed at half mast it should always be but at the , Nelson, raised to full height and then lowered. who was a vice-admiral of the white, Salutes at sea are made by dipping or signalled that to prevent confusion, all lowering the flag and then raising it, ships were to fly the white ensign, and and in this connection it may be inter- this was the origin of the use of this esting to note that all nations are the flag for the Royal Navy. first to salute British ships at sea is a fact not generally known is that A recognition that Great Britain is the the first flag of the American colonies Mistress of the Seas. A flag of one na- or United States was composed of thir- tion should never be raised above ^hat teen stripes of red and white alternate- of another, as it is a token of dis- ly on the fly, with the Union of Great respect. An ensign hoisted reversed or Britain as then used in the first quar- Union down is a sign of distress or that ter, but this flag existed for a few help is required. months only early in the year 1776. In closing this brief story of the Union Jack it is hoped that some les- THE ROYAL STANDARD sons may be learned therefrom,and that our people may become familiar with is the personal flag of the sovereign, of our country, and flown only over vessels or buildings the honored flag glorious history when the King, Queen or a member of bearing in mind its it with the greatest re- the Royal Family representing the King may ever treat spect, for it is "the flag that has braved is on board or in residence; therefore years, the battle and the this flag should not be used by any one a thousand is the flag on which the either ashore or afloat; the Royal breeze," and Standard has the three lions of England sun never sets, and sink with a shot torn in the first and fourth quarters, the "That flag may lion of Scotland in the second, and the wreck, o'er a slave." harp of Ireland in the third; it is But never float