South Britain facts for kids

South Britain was a name sometimes used in the 1600s and 1700s. It referred to England and Wales because they are in the southern part of the island of Great Britain. People from Scotland often used this name. They used it along with "North Britain", which was their name for Scotland.

What is South Britain?

Imagine the island of Great Britain. It's split into two main parts for this old name. "South Britain" was the way people talked about England and Wales. These two countries are in the southern half of the island. At the same time, "North Britain" was the name for Scotland, which is in the northern half. This way of naming places helped people understand which part of the island they were talking about.

How the Name Started

The name "South Britain" began to be used after a big event in 1603. This was when the crowns of England and Scotland were joined. This event is called the Union of the Crowns. It meant that one king, King James VI & I, became the ruler of both England and Scotland. Even though the countries were still separate, they shared the same king.

King James and the First Flag

King James VI & I was the first to use the terms "South Britain" and "North Britain" officially. He used them in a special announcement called a Proclamation in 1606. This Proclamation was very important because it created the first Union Flag. This flag combined the flags of England and Scotland.

In his announcement, King James said:

"Whereas some difference has a risen between our Subjects of South and North Britain, Travelling by Sea, about the bearing of their flags"

This meant there were arguments between sailors from England (South Britain) and Scotland (North Britain) about which flag to fly on their ships. The new Union Flag was meant to solve this problem.

King Charles and Flag Rules

Later, King James's son, King Charles I, also used these terms. In 1634, he made another Proclamation about flags. He repeated the names "South Britain" and "North Britain" to make sure everyone understood the rules for ships.

King Charles I explained:

"Our further will and pleasure is, that all the other Ships of Our Subjects of England or South Britain bearing flags shall from henceforth carry the Red Cross, commonly called S. George’s Cross, as of old time hath been used; And also that all other ships of Our Subjects of Scotland or North Britain shall henceforth carry the White Cross commonly called S. Andrews Cross"

This rule meant that ships from England, or "South Britain," should fly the Red Cross flag (Saint George's Cross). Ships from Scotland, or "North Britain," should fly the White Cross flag (Saint Andrew's Cross). These flags were important symbols for each country.