The Union Jack - Revision history

Pankratz at 15:28, 3 May 2010

2010-05-03T15:28:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:28, 3 May 2010
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	=== An Adopted National Symbol ===		=== An Adopted National Symbol ===
	The Union Jack is probably one of the best known national symbols worldwide on a par with the royal family, five-o'clock tea and the royal palace guards [2]. The flag is now over four-hundred years old, supposedly "the world'S oldest national flag"[3]. Although the idea of a national flag is fairly new since the concept of nation did not came up before the 18th and 19th centuries. Beforehand there was no British or English nation but a kingdom. In contrast to other countries there does also not exist any written act of parliament or law about the design of the flag. Far more, the Union Jack derived from long-established customs and practises of a flag that was primarily used by the navy [3] Originally it was a royal flag only hoisted upon ships, castles or fords [does this mean fjords? or forts?] [1].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)		The Union Jack is probably one of the best-known national symbols worldwide on a par with the royal family, five-o'clock tea and the royal palace guards [2]. The flag is now over four-hundred years old, supposedly "the world'S oldest national flag"[3]. Although the idea of a national flag is fairly new since the concept of nation did not came up before the 18th and 19th centuries. Beforehand there was no British or English nation but a kingdom. In contrast to other countries there does also not exist any written act of parliament or law about the design of the flag. Far more, the Union Jack derived from long-established customs and practises of a flag that was primarily used by the navy [3] Originally it was a royal flag only hoisted upon ships, castles or fords [does this mean fjords? or forts?] [1].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	===Where does the 'Jack' come from?===		===Where does the 'Jack' come from?===
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	[[Image:Flying_the_Flag_Correctly.png\|thumb\|Correct Way of Flying the Flag:<http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]There is no legal regulation concerning "The Union Jack". ~~Thus~~ the "Flags and Heraldry ~~Comitee~~" (an all party group of the UK ~~parlament~~) and the Flag Institute have on eye on it, they ~~hold~~ records, watch the traditions and give out guidelines according to ~~grown~~ habits and customs. Once, a incident where the "Union Jack" was displayed upside-down along a ceremony involving Gordon Brown, the Chinese premier minister Wen Jiaobao and Trade Secretary Lord ~~Maldelson~~ caused the ~~directot~~ of the Flag Institution Mike Kearsley to say:		[[Image:Flying_the_Flag_Correctly.png\|thumb\|Correct Way of Flying the Flag:<http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]There is no legal regulation concerning "The Union Jack". But the "Flags and Heraldry Comittee" (an all party group of the UK parliament) and the Flag Institute have on eye on it, they keep records, watch the traditions and give out guidelines according to habits and customs. Once, an incident where the "Union Jack" was displayed upside-down along a ceremony involving Gordon Brown, the Chinese premier minister Wen Jiaobao and Trade Secretary Lord Mandelson caused the director of the Flag Institution Mike Kearsley to say:


	**''"'My first reaction is 'here we go again'. [...] One part of me is concerned that we don't recognise and understand our own flag but another part of me is amused that it's a terribly British thing to do. [...] You would think people in Downing Street would recognise it because they see the flag so often. Many places in government these days have people working from overseas and maybe they don't understand. [...] If we had flown the Chinese flag upside down it could have been quite a diplomatic problem.'"'' [8]		**''"'My first reaction is 'here we go again'. [...] One part of me is concerned that we don't recognise and understand our own flag but another part of me is amused that it's a terribly British thing to do. [...] You would think people in Downing Street would recognise it because they see the flag so often. Many places in government these days have people working from overseas and maybe they don't understand. [...] If we had flown the Chinese flag upside down it could have been quite a diplomatic problem.'"'' [8]

	[[Image:The Royal Standard.png\|thumb\|The Royal Standard (<http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>)]]The correct way to fly the flag is to have the wider diagonal white stripe above the diagonal red Flying because ~~Scotlands~~ St. Andrew's ~~croos~~ takes precedence over Ireland's St. Patrick's cross. The ~~hierachy~~ once equaled their ~~polotical realtions~~: the English cross comes before the ~~Scotlish~~ and Irish. On uniforms the flag should be on the left shoulder (if it is on the right it must be reversed). And when the flag is disposed it must be burned or ~~riped~~ into such small pieces that it no longer resembles the original. ~~Likewise to the "Royal Banner" of these days, the "Union Jack" once never flew on halfmast since it represented the monarchy which is to continue due to the two king's bodies~~ [9].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:39, 2 May 2010 (UTC)		[[Image:The Royal Standard.png\|thumb\|The Royal Standard (<http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>)]]The correct way to fly the flag is to have the wider diagonal white stripe above the diagonal red Flying because Scotland's St Andrew's cross takes precedence over Ireland's St Patrick's cross. The hierarchy once equaled their political relations: the English cross comes before the Scottish and Irish. On uniforms the flag should be on the left shoulder (if it is on the right it must be reversed). And when the flag is disposed of it must be burned or ripped into such small pieces that it no longer resembles the original.[9].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:39, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	==References and Further Reading==		==References and Further Reading==

Pankratz at 15:24, 3 May 2010

2010-05-03T15:24:11Z

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	~~With~~ the ~~help of the Articles~~ of Union, 1707~~, Queen [[Anne I\|Anne]] tried to bring the countries under one government via standardization of measures and right to great one poltitical and economical entity [5]~~. The first article ~~already~~ reiterates the unified kingdom Great-Britain with one flag:		Scotland and England were united under the [[Act of Union]], 1707. The first article reiterates the unified kingdom Great-Britain with one flag:


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	The latest to join the United Kingdom was Ireland in 1801 along the Act of Union of 1800. The College of Arms redesigned the "Union Jack" to it's current status (only minor changes to its dimensions and ~~propotions~~ followed) including the Cross of St. Patrick, the red ~~satire~~ on white (which truly speaking was not St. Patrick's cross, since St. Patrick was not ~~martyrerd~~, instead they used the emblem of the powerful Fitzgerald family) [3].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)		The latest to 'join' the United Kingdom was Ireland in 1801 along the Act of Union of 1800. The College of Arms redesigned the "Union Jack" to it's current status (only minor changes to its dimensions and proportions followed) including the Cross of St Patrick, the red saltire on white (which truly speaking was not St Patrick's cross, since St Patrick was not martyred, instead they used the emblem of the powerful Fitzgerald family) [3].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	===British ~~Pecularities~~===		===British Peculiarities===


	[[Image:Flying_the_Flag_Correctly.png\|thumb\|Correct Way of Flying the Flag:<http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]~~As said there~~ is no legal regulation concerning "The Union Jack"~~. Nevertheless, the British are a bit peculiar about it as they are with all their customs and traditions~~. Thus the "Flags and Heraldry Comitee" (an all party group of the UK parlament) and the Flag Institute have on eye on it, they hold records, watch the traditions and give out guidelines according to grown habits and customs. Once, a incident where the "Union Jack" was displayed upside-down along a ceremony involving Gordon Brown, the Chinese premier minister Wen Jiaobao and Trade Secretary Lord Maldelson caused the directot of the Flag Institution Mike Kearsley to say:		[[Image:Flying_the_Flag_Correctly.png\|thumb\|Correct Way of Flying the Flag:<http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]There is no legal regulation concerning "The Union Jack". Thus the "Flags and Heraldry Comitee" (an all party group of the UK parlament) and the Flag Institute have on eye on it, they hold records, watch the traditions and give out guidelines according to grown habits and customs. Once, a incident where the "Union Jack" was displayed upside-down along a ceremony involving Gordon Brown, the Chinese premier minister Wen Jiaobao and Trade Secretary Lord Maldelson caused the directot of the Flag Institution Mike Kearsley to say:

Pankratz at 15:20, 3 May 2010

2010-05-03T15:20:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:20, 3 May 2010
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	===Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union===		===Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union===
	[[Elizabeth I]] died without direct heir in 1603. Her ministers decided (ignoring a law of [[Henry VIII]])to pass the crown to James VI of Scotland, whereupon the two separate kingdoms were united under one monarch. The new kingdom of Great Britain was proclaimed. However the countries remained independent and kept their animosities and rivalries ~~strenghtened~~ by the fact that James I preferred his distant Scottish residence to the hub of society, culture and economy London. Furthermore, some Scots disliked to see St George's cross on Scottish possessions. Thus the king decided to create a new royal banner out of the crosses of St George and St Andrew [5,6]:		[[Elizabeth I]] died without direct heir in 1603. Her ministers decided (ignoring a law of [[Henry VIII]]) to pass the crown to James VI of Scotland, whereupon the two separate kingdoms were united under one monarch. The new kingdom of Great Britain was proclaimed. However the countries remained independent and kept their animosities and rivalries strengthened by the fact that James I preferred his distant Scottish residence to the hub of society, culture and economy London. Furthermore, some Scots disliked to see St George's cross on Scottish possessions. Thus the king decided to create a new royal banner out of the crosses of St George and St Andrew [5,6]:


	**''[By the King, James I:]A Proclamation decaling what Flags South and North Britains shall bear at Sea		**''By the King, James I: A Proclamation decaling [really?] what Flags South and North Britains shall bear at Sea

	**''Whereas, some differences hath arisen between Our subjects of South and North Britaine travelling by Seas, about the bearing of their Flagges: For the avoiding of all contentions hereafter. We have, with the advice of our Council, ordered: That from henceforth all our Subjects of this Isle and Kingdome of '''Great Britaine, and all our members thereof, shall beare in their main-toppe the Red Crosse, commonly called St. George’s Crosse, and the White Crosse, commonly called St. Andrew’s Crosse, joyned together according to the forme made by our heralds,''' and sent by Us to our Admerall to be published to our Subjects: and in their fore-toppe our Subjects of South Britaine shall weare the Red Crosse onely as they were wont, and our Subjects of North Britaine in their fore-toppe the White Crosse onely as they were accustomed.'' […]		**''Whereas, some differences hath arisen between Our subjects of South and North Britaine travelling by Seas, about the bearing of their Flagges: For the avoiding of all contentions hereafter. We have, with the advice of our Council, ordered: That from henceforth all our Subjects of this Isle and Kingdome of '''Great Britaine, and all our members thereof, shall beare in their main-toppe the Red Crosse, commonly called St. George’s Crosse, and the White Crosse, commonly called St. Andrew’s Crosse, joyned together according to the forme made by our heralds,''' and sent by Us to our Admerall to be published to our Subjects: and in their fore-toppe our Subjects of South Britaine shall weare the Red Crosse onely as they were wont, and our Subjects of North Britaine in their fore-toppe the White Crosse onely as they were accustomed.'' […]

	**''Given at our Palace of Westminster the 12th oy of April in the 4th year of our Reign of Great Britain France and ~~Irland~~ Annoq. Domini 1606.'' [4]		**''Given at our Palace of Westminster the 12th oy [oy?] of April in the 4th year of our Reign of Great Britain France and Ireland Annoq. Domini 1606.'' [4]


	With the help of the ~~Articlesof~~ Union, 1707, Queen ~~Ann~~ tried bring the countries under one ~~goverment~~ via standardization of measures and right to great one poltitical and economical entity [5]. The first article already reiterates the unified kingdom Great-Britain with one flag:		With the help of the Articles of Union, 1707, Queen [[Anne I\|Anne]] tried to bring the countries under one government via standardization of measures and right to great one poltitical and economical entity [5]. The first article already reiterates the unified kingdom Great-Britain with one flag:

Pankratz at 15:17, 3 May 2010

2010-05-03T15:17:06Z

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	===Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union===		===Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union===
	~~Politically, "The Union Jack" is rooted in the death of~~ Elizabeth I ~~of England in 1603. She~~ died without an heir ~~leaving the succession open~~. ~~In the end, her~~ ministers decided (ignoring a law of Henry VIII)to pass the crown to James VI of Scotland ~~and France~~, whereupon the two ~~seperate~~ kingdoms ~~occuyping the British Isle~~ were united under one monarch. The new kingdom of Great Britain was proclaimed. However the countries remained independent and kept their animosities and rivalries strenghtened by the fact that James I preferred his ~~distanced Scotish resedence~~ to the hub of society, culture and economy London. Furthermore, some Scots disliked to see ~~the~~ St. George's cross on ~~Scotish possession~~. Thus the king decided to create a new royal banner out of the crosses of St~~. Georges~~ and St. Andrew [5,6]:		[[Elizabeth I]] died without direct heir in 1603. Her ministers decided (ignoring a law of [[Henry VIII]])to pass the crown to James VI of Scotland, whereupon the two separate kingdoms were united under one monarch. The new kingdom of Great Britain was proclaimed. However the countries remained independent and kept their animosities and rivalries strenghtened by the fact that James I preferred his distant Scottish residence to the hub of society, culture and economy London. Furthermore, some Scots disliked to see St George's cross on Scottish possessions. Thus the king decided to create a new royal banner out of the crosses of St George and St Andrew [5,6]:

Pankratz at 15:13, 3 May 2010

2010-05-03T15:13:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 3 May 2010
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	=== The Flag===		=== The Flag===

	The Union Jack/Union Flag is the nickname of the national flag of the United Kingdom and symbolizes the union of the Kingdom of England (including Wales), Scotland and Ireland under one ~~Sovereign~~. Today's ~~deseign~~ combines the three heraldic crosses (leaving out the Welsh ~~dargon~~ since the Principality of Wales had already been part of England before 1606):		The Union Jack/Union Flag is the nickname of the national flag of the United Kingdom and symbolizes the union of the Kingdom of England (including Wales), Scotland and Ireland under one sovereign. Today's design combines the three heraldic crosses (leaving out the Welsh dragon since the Principality of Wales had already been part of England before 1606):
	[[File:England.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|England, Cross of St. George:<http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]		[[File:England.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|England, Cross of St. George:<http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]

	The cross of St~~. Greorge~~(patron saint of England) is a red cross on white ground ;		The cross of St George(patron saint of England) is a red cross on white ground;


	The cross of St. Andrews(patron saint of Scotland)is a diagonal white cross on blue ground; [[File:Scottland.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Scotland, Cross of Andfrew: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]		The cross of St Andrews(patron saint of Scotland)is a diagonal white cross on blue ground; [[File:Scottland.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Scotland, Cross of Andfrew: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]


	The cross of St~~. Patricks~~ (patron of Ireland) is a diagonal red cross on white ground (Fig.4).[[File:Irish.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Ireland, Corss of St. Patrick: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]		The cross of St Patrick (patron of Ireland) is a diagonal red cross on white ground (Fig.4).[[File:Irish.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Ireland, Corss of St. Patrick: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]

	However the design of the first Union Flag looked quite different as the ~~reconstrucions~~ show [1]. [[File:Bbc_history_older_designs.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Reconstructions of the First Union Flag, 1606: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:41, 2 May 2010 (UTC)		However the design of the first Union Flag looked quite different as the reconstructions show [1]. [[File:Bbc_history_older_designs.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Reconstructions of the First Union Flag, 1606: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:41, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	=== An Adopted National Symbol ===		=== An Adopted National Symbol ===
	The Union Jack is probably one of the best known national symbols worldwide ~~and refers to the British as~~ the royal family, ~~the~~ five-o'clock tea and the royal palace guards [2]. The flag is now over four-~~hundret~~ years old ~~what causes the British to speak of~~ "the world'S oldest national flag"[3]. Although the idea of a national flag is fairly new since the concept of nation did not came up before the 18th/19th ~~century~~. Beforehand there was no British or English nation but a kingdom. In contrast to other countries there does also not exist any written ~~down~~ act, law ~~or passage as in the German constitution~~ about the design. Far more, the Union Jack derived from long established customs and ~~practise~~ of a flag that was primarily used by the navy [3] Originally it was a royal flag only hoisted upon ships, castles or fords [1].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)		The Union Jack is probably one of the best known national symbols worldwide on a par with the royal family, five-o'clock tea and the royal palace guards [2]. The flag is now over four-hundred years old, supposedly "the world'S oldest national flag"[3]. Although the idea of a national flag is fairly new since the concept of nation did not came up before the 18th and 19th centuries. Beforehand there was no British or English nation but a kingdom. In contrast to other countries there does also not exist any written act of parliament or law about the design of the flag. Far more, the Union Jack derived from long-established customs and practises of a flag that was primarily used by the navy [3] Originally it was a royal flag only hoisted upon ships, castles or fords [does this mean fjords? or forts?] [1].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	===Where does the 'Jack' ~~Come~~ from?===		===Where does the 'Jack' come from?===

	As the flag was introduced in 1606, it was only called "The British Flag" or "The Flag of Britain" and mainly to ~~find upon~~ ships as a symbol of the United Kingdom. The term 'union' was mentioned in 1625 for the first time and refers to the Acts of Union after 1606~~. Less obvious is the the origins of the word 'Jack'. Most likely is~~ that ~~it derived from a general naval slang term for a small flag flown from~~ the ~~mast mounted on the bowsprit and did~~ not ~~refer to~~ the ~~"The British Flag" at all. Later on~~, the sailors began to speak of "The Jack", "Jack flag", "King's Jack" and from 1674 on of "His Majestie's Jack" when they meant the Union Flag hoisted on their ship. In the 18th century, it was commonly addressed as "The Union Jack". 1902 the Admiralty decided to use the name officially and 1908 the Parliament finally approved that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the national flag"[3]~~. Thus the flag has it's name out of maritime daily usage~~.		As the flag was introduced in 1606, it was only called "The British Flag" or "The Flag of Britain" and mainly to be found on ships as a symbol of the United Kingdom of England and Scotland. The term 'union' was mentioned in 1625 for the first time and refers to the Acts of Union after 1606 [explain! especially that the Union was not a real union between the countries, this came only in 1707].

	~~Another explanantion its,~~ that it ~~goes back~~ to ~~James I~~ of ~~England~~, VI of ~~Scotland and France. According to this theory~~ 'Jack~~' is~~ the ~~anglicised 'Jacques'~~, the ~~French signature of James I~~ [4].		Less obvious is the the origins of the word 'Jack'. Most likely is that it derived from a general naval slang term for a small flag flown from the mast mounted on the bowsprit and did not refer to the "The British Flag" at all. Later on, the sailors began to speak of "The Jack", "Jack flag", "King's Jack" and from 1674 on of "His Majestie's Jack" when they meant the Union Flag hoisted on their ship. In the 18th century, it was commonly addressed as "The Union Jack". 1902 the Admiralty decided to use the name officially and 1908 the Parliament finally approved that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the national flag"[3]. Thus the flag has its name out of maritime daily usage.

	In the 1800s the British Empire started to ~~rise and~~ become ~~the~~ world power ~~(the age of endeavour~~, ~~colonization, Industiral Revolution and Nationalism)~~ some national flag was needed to say to show the rest of the world that ~~where ever~~ the flag is put in is British territory. During the First World War the British soldiers made it even more popular ~~and afterwards it served at national celebrations as Queen Victoria's diamond junilee and parties for the troops~~ [2]--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)		Another explanation is that it goes back to [[James I]] of England, VI of Scotland and France. According to this theory 'Jack' is the anglicised 'Jacques', the French signature of James I [4].

			In the 1800s due to the growing British Empire Britain started to become a world power, some national flag was needed to say to show the rest of the world that wherever the flag is put in is British territory. During the First World War the British soldiers made it even more popular.[2]--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	===Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union===		===Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union===

Pankratz at 15:05, 3 May 2010

2010-05-03T15:05:39Z

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	~~[[File:Example.jpg]]~~
	[[File:Union Jack.jpg]]		[[File:Union Jack.jpg]]
	== The Union Jack ==		== The Union Jack ==

Karsten: /* The Flag */

2010-05-02T20:41:09Z

The Flag

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 2 May 2010
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	The cross of St. Patricks (patron of Ireland) is a diagonal red cross on white ground (Fig.4).[[File:Irish.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Ireland, Corss of St. Patrick: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]		The cross of St. Patricks (patron of Ireland) is a diagonal red cross on white ground (Fig.4).[[File:Irish.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Ireland, Corss of St. Patrick: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]

	However the design of the first Union Flag looked quite different as the reconstrucions show [1]. [[File:Bbc_history_older_designs.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Reconstructions of the First Union Flag, 1606: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]		However the design of the first Union Flag looked quite different as the reconstrucions show [1]. [[File:Bbc_history_older_designs.png\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Reconstructions of the First Union Flag, 1606: <http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf>]]--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:41, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	=== An Adopted National Symbol ===		=== An Adopted National Symbol ===

Karsten: /* An Adopted National Symbol */

2010-05-02T20:40:42Z

An Adopted National Symbol

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 2 May 2010
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	=== An Adopted National Symbol ===		=== An Adopted National Symbol ===
	The Union Jack is probably one of the best known national symbols worldwide and refers to the British as the royal family, the five-o'clock tea and the royal palace guards [2]. The flag is now over four-hundret years old what causes the British to speak of "the world'S oldest national flag"[3]. Although the idea of a national flag is fairly new since the concept of nation did not came up before the 18th/19th century. Beforehand there was no British or English nation but a kingdom. In contrast to other countries there does also not exist any written down act, law or passage as in the German constitution about the design. Far more, the Union Jack derived from long established customs and practise of a flag that was primarily used by the navy [3] Originally it was a royal flag only hoisted upon ships, castles or fords [1].		The Union Jack is probably one of the best known national symbols worldwide and refers to the British as the royal family, the five-o'clock tea and the royal palace guards [2]. The flag is now over four-hundret years old what causes the British to speak of "the world'S oldest national flag"[3]. Although the idea of a national flag is fairly new since the concept of nation did not came up before the 18th/19th century. Beforehand there was no British or English nation but a kingdom. In contrast to other countries there does also not exist any written down act, law or passage as in the German constitution about the design. Far more, the Union Jack derived from long established customs and practise of a flag that was primarily used by the navy [3] Originally it was a royal flag only hoisted upon ships, castles or fords [1].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	===Where does the 'Jack' Come from?===		===Where does the 'Jack' Come from?===

Karsten: /* Where does the 'Jack' Come from? */

2010-05-02T20:40:24Z

Where does the 'Jack' Come from?

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	Another explanantion its, that it goes back to James I of England, VI of Scotland and France. According to this theory 'Jack' is the anglicised 'Jacques', the French signature of James I [4].		Another explanantion its, that it goes back to James I of England, VI of Scotland and France. According to this theory 'Jack' is the anglicised 'Jacques', the French signature of James I [4].

	In the 1800s the British Empire started to rise and become the world power (the age of endeavour, colonization, Industiral Revolution and Nationalism) some national flag was needed to say to show the rest of the world that where ever the flag is put in is British territory. During the First World War the British soldiers made it even more popular and afterwards it served at national celebrations as Queen Victoria's diamond junilee and parties for the troops [2]		In the 1800s the British Empire started to rise and become the world power (the age of endeavour, colonization, Industiral Revolution and Nationalism) some national flag was needed to say to show the rest of the world that where ever the flag is put in is British territory. During the First World War the British soldiers made it even more popular and afterwards it served at national celebrations as Queen Victoria's diamond junilee and parties for the troops [2]--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	===Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union===		===Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union===

Karsten: /* Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union */

2010-05-02T20:40:05Z

Historical Background: The Union Jack and the Act of Union

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 2 May 2010
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	The latest to join the United Kingdom was Ireland in 1801 along the Act of Union of 1800. The College of Arms redesigned the "Union Jack" to it's current status (only minor changes to its dimensions and propotions followed) including the Cross of St. Patrick, the red satire on white (which truly speaking was not St. Patrick's cross, since St. Patrick was not martyrerd, instead they used the emblem of the powerful Fitzgerald family) [3].		The latest to join the United Kingdom was Ireland in 1801 along the Act of Union of 1800. The College of Arms redesigned the "Union Jack" to it's current status (only minor changes to its dimensions and propotions followed) including the Cross of St. Patrick, the red satire on white (which truly speaking was not St. Patrick's cross, since St. Patrick was not martyrerd, instead they used the emblem of the powerful Fitzgerald family) [3].--[[User:Karsten\|Karsten]] 20:40, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

	===British Pecularities===		===British Pecularities===