British Union Flag

On the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, the royal line of Tudor Rulers came to an end, and James 6th of Scotland was invited to occupy the vacant English throne Thus the two Kingdoms, which for centuries had been bitter rivals, became united under his rule. But deep-seated jealousies persisted and at sea, quarrels over issues like precedence and honors were constant.

To end such bickering, King James in 1606 created the Union Flag which combined the Crosses of St. George and St. Andrew ordering both English and Scottish vessels upon meeting to display this emblem.

In 1707, the British Union flag was modified by the addition of the Irish Cross of St. Patrick. This modified British Union flag still flies over British subjects around the World.

This was the banner that flew above the early English settlements of the New World, beginning with the Village of Jamestown in 1607 and continuing to the time of the Revolutionary War.