Place our smaller union flag in the upper corner of a larger flag, and it there becomes the sign of identity, of allegiance, and of the union of British patriotism with the special story which is told by the colourings and form of the other parts, or fly, of such Ensign.
PLATE VIII
| 1 Red Ensign |
| 2 White Ensign |
| 3 Blue Ensign |
The Union Jack was first quartered in the upper canton of three flags, the Red, White and Blue ensigns. These flags have arisen from the flags which were used of old to distinguish the ships of the respective squadrons into which British fleets were divided.
Lord Lisle, in the time of Henry VIII., divided his fleet at Shoreham in 1545 into three squadrons, the Vanwarde, Battle and Wing, corresponding in their position to the van, centre and rear.[179] These were the germ of the red, white and blue squadrons of the seventeenth century.
There were at that time only two distinguishing flags used in the navy, the Royal Standard and the St. George Jack.
The admirals hoisted their flags in accordance with their rank upon their flagships, in 1545, in the following order:[180]
| Squadron. | Admirals. | |
| 1. Battle | Royal Standard at main.St. George at fore. | |
| 2. Vanwarde | St. George at main.St. George at fore. | |
| 3. Wing | St. George at mizzen. |
The other ships of their respective squadrons displayed: