16. Jack of James I., 1606.
It is probable that the English sailor had objected to seeing the Scottish cross raised on the mast above his English flag, and the Scotsman, on his part, too, did not like to see St. Andrew below St. George. The additional flag was designed for the purpose of meeting this difficulty, and was ordered to be raised by itself upon the mainmast. It is evident that some ships had been flying both the national flags, for, as a further precaution, particular instruction was given that each ship should fly only one national cross, and this was to be only the cross of its own nationality. All controversy as to the precedence of the respective Jacks was thus intended to be brought to an end.
This proclamation of 1606, as copied from an original issue in the British Museum, reads as follows:
"A proclamation declaring what Flagges South and North Britaines shall beare at Sea.
"BY THE KING:
"Whereas, some difference hath arisen between our subjects of South and North Britaine travelling by Seas, about the bearing of their Flagges: For the avoiding of all such contentions hereafter wee have, with the advice of Our Councell, ordered: That from henceforth all our subjects of this Isle and Kingdome of Great Britaine, and all our members thereof, shall beare in their maine 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 Admerell 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.
"Wherefore wee will and command all our Subjects to be conformable and obedient to this our Order, and that from henceforth they do not use to beare their flagges in any other sort, as they will answere to contrary at their peril.
"Given at our Palace of Westminster, the twelfth day of April, in the fourth yere of our Reine of Great Britaine, France and Ireland, etc. God save the King."
This King's Jack, which subsequently came to be commonly known as the "Union Flagge," was, it will be noted, not intended to supersede the existing national Jacks, for it was directed to be displayed in addition to, and at the same time with, the Jack of each nation. The new flag of the King was to be raised by itself on the mainmast, and the old national flag on the foremast, so that each of these flags should be kept separate from one another.