Flag of Great Britain facts for kids
.svg) |
|
| Name | King's Colours |
|---|---|
| Use | Civil and state flag |
| Adopted | 1707 |
| Design | Four stripes of white, horizontal, diagonal, and vertical on a blue field, with a red cross in the middle. |
.svg)
Variant flag of Great Britain
|
|
| Use | Civil and naval ensign |
| Design | A red field with the flag of Great Britain in the canton |
.svg)
Variant flag of Great Britain
|
|
| Use | Naval ensign |
| Design | A cross of St George with the flag of Great Britain in the canton |
The flag of Great Britain was an important flag used from 1606 to 1801. It was also known as the King's Colours or the Union Jack. This flag was the first official flag for Great Britain. It was a step towards the Union Jack we see today.
King James VI and I first ordered this flag for ships at sea. Later, it became the national flag after the Treaty of Union and Acts of Union 1707. This is when the new country, the Kingdom of Great Britain, was formed. The flag was then used by land forces too.
The flag shows the red cross of Saint George. He is the patron saint of England. This cross is placed over the Saltire of Saint Andrew. He is the patron saint of Scotland. The flag's correct size is 3 parts high by 5 parts wide.
This flag was officially used until 1801. That year, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was created. The Saint Patrick's Flag was then added to the flag of Great Britain. This created the present-day Union Flag.
How the Flag Was Created
King James's Idea
The idea for this flag came from James I of England, who was also the King of Scots. In 1606, he issued an order. This order was meant to stop arguments between English and Scottish sailors. They were arguing about which flag to fly on their ships.
King James said that all ships from Great Britain should fly a new flag. This flag would combine the red cross of Saint George and the white cross of Saint Andrew. He had his heralds (experts in flags and symbols) design it.
King James often spoke of a "Kingdom of Great Britain." He believed it was created when he became king of both England and Scotland. However, England and Scotland remained separate kingdoms. They each had their own parliaments and laws for another 100 years. The Kingdom of Great Britain truly began in 1707.
Choosing the Design
The flag for the new Kingdom of Great Britain was officially chosen on April 17, 1707. This was just two weeks before the Acts of Union 1707 became law. Sir Henry St George, a top expert in flags, showed several designs to Queen Anne and her advisors.
One main alternative design had the Cross of Saint Andrew on top of the Cross of Saint George. This was called the "Scots union flag." However, this design was not chosen. The design we know today was picked instead.
Images for kids
-
This image shows the "Scots union flag" design that was considered but not chosen.
-
A replica of the early 17th century Godspeed flying the flags of Great Britain and the Kingdom of England.
