His red-white-blue design dates back to the time when Britain ruled the seas. In fact, the flag should be called "Union flag", but now it is more often called "Union Jack", and write both words in small letters. The modern design of the flag appeared in 1801, when Ireland became part of the United Kingdom. However, the first flag was established by Royal decree on 12 April 1606, was a little different: it was not a diagonal red lines - the so-called cross of St. Patrick. The flag was the result of a merger in 1603 the English and Scottish thrones under king James (First of England and Sixth of Scotland) . Several options were proposed Royal banner, mostly representing the various combinations of crosses of St. George and St. Andrew, however, none of them never liked Jacob. Instead, he just put one flag to another that many Scots still think it is a mistake, because their flag was under British and they can't understand why their flag from the bottom. Scottish sailors even redid the flag in their own way and still a few years to use them. From the outset, the Union Jack was the Maritime flag, to use it on land and is not even supposed. Kings can do everything "The modern concept of the state flag fluttering on the building or in the garden, simply did not exist, as there was no Nations. Was Kingdom," says Graham Bartram, chief Vexillology, or a specialist in flags, the Institute flag. Accordingly, it turns out, Bartram notes that "since England and Scotland were at that time separate countries, Yakov created the flag for the country, which still does not exist." According to him, the Union Jack was a Royal flag, and, at least in theory, remains so to this day. In the XVII century savvy explorers used a flag to avoid paying port fees: then, a similar privilege is extended only to the warships. Because who ascended the throne after James and Charles I were ordered to raise the flag only on the ships of His Majesty, that is, on the ships of the Navy. Even today, posting the "Union Jack" on a civilian ship is considered a criminal offence. Jack in the name of "Union Jack", likely the same a tribute to naval etiquette: the so-called sailors national flag on military ships. However, there are other theories: according to one, the word is derived from the word "Jack-et" ("jack-et") of the doublet, which was worn by the soldiers. According to another, it is derived from the name of the king - which in Latin sounds like "James" and the French "Jacques". Anyway, the debate about what to call the flag when it is not flying on the mast of the ship, but somewhere on land: "the Union Jack" or "Union flag" - continues to this day. Being a Royal flag, the Union Jack was abolished by Oliver Cromwell in 1649. Restored along with the monarchy - 11 years. In 1801, the design of the flag complements the red diagonal cross representing the Union with Ireland, and after some changes made by the command of the Navy, the flag gradually began to be used on land. "In the 1800's Britain had created an Empire, and she wanted a flag to mark their belonging to the acquired lands," says historian Malcolm Farrow. And then, the national festival made a "Union Jack" even more necessary: military parades - especially after the First world war, Royal anniversaries have needed the symbolism. But even in 1918, the flag has not yet become a national symbol, says Farrow. "We use a lot of different flags, red and white Navy flags and even the Royal standard" - recalls the historian. Today no one asks the question of whether the "Union Jack" national flag of the Kingdom of great Britain and Northern Ireland. Of course, it is. But it turned out not thanks to the political will, but rather by itself.
