The Story of Three Flags (Or...How the Union Jack Got Its Stripes)

St. George’s Cross - England

St. George’s - England Saint George is the patron saint of England Saint George was a soldier of the Roman Empire who later became a Christian martyr The Flag is believed to have been adopted for the uniform of English soldiers during the Crusades The St. George's Cross flag is also the flag for use by Anglican churches in England

St. Andrew’s Cross - Scotland

St. Andrew’s - Scotland Also known as the Saltire. One of the oldest national flags of any country, dating back at least to the 12th century. Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland Tradition suggests that St. Andrew was put to death by the Romans in Greece by being pinned to a cross of this shape Scotland has not had its own monarchy since the Act of Union with England in 1707.

St. Patrick’s Cross - Ireland

St. Patrick’s - Ireland St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland He was a missionary who helped to establish the Catholic Church in Ireland This flag served semi-officially to represent Ireland from the foundation of the Order of Saint Patrick in 1783 until the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922

The Union Jack: Flag of the United Kingdom

The Flag of the United Kingdom The Union Flag, commonly called the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Created in 1801 to show unity Historically, the flag has been used throughout the former British Empire.

The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe consisting of Great Britain, Ireland, and several thousand smaller surrounding islands and islets Great Britain is an island lying off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe and to the east of Ireland The United Kingdom is a country comprised of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

What about Wales? Wales had been annexed by Edward I of England in Legally, it became part of the Kingdom of England in St. David’s Cross "Draig Goch” or Red Dragon Flag