For the great expedition to Cadiz which set forth in October, 1625, the pendants, while still displayed at the three different mastheads according to the squadron, were further distinguished by being made of different colours. The Admiral's Squadron had red pendants at the main; the Vice-Admiral's, blue pendants at the fore; and the Rear-Admiral's, white pendants at the mizen.
The field of the ensign had, since its introduction about 1574, been of striped design[311]. In 1621 a large red ensign was manufactured at a cost of £4. 16s., and a few more were made in the following years. The suggestion for a general change to this colour emanated from Sir F. Stewart, the Rear-Admiral of the fleet, who had been nominated Admiral of the White Squadron for the Cadiz Expedition. Writing to Sir John Coke from the 'Lion' on 2nd July, 1625, he says: "A red ancient would become every one of the King's ships." Owing to the defective state of his ship, Stewart did not accompany the expedition when it finally sailed, but his suggestion was evidently adopted, for the surveys of ships' rigging made in January of the following year contain several entries of red ensigns, "serviceable" or "decayed," but as these are accompanied by other entries for the same ships of "ancients" which are not particularised, it is clear that the older ensigns were not all immediately withdrawn from service. Probably, from motives of economy, they were retained in use until worn out.
The flags flown by the Admirals of the various squadrons of the fleet that sailed to the Ile de Ré in 1627 have already been described; no record has, however, been preserved of the method (if any) by which the private ships of those squadrons (which were composed largely of merchantmen) were distinguished. The probability is that they did not wear any special ensigns or pendants.
A survey of the stores at Deptford carried out in April, 1633, gives the following flags:
| Standard for the maintop | 1 | |
| Red Ensigne for ye mainmizen | 1 | |
| White Ensigne with ye kings armes | 1 | |
| Red and White Ensigne with ye St George's crosse | 1 | |
| fflower de luce & roase | 1 | |
| Standard for the barges head | 1 | |
| White ensigne with ye guilded lyon | 1 | |
| White ensigne guilded lyon & crowne | 1 | |
| White ensigne guilded unicorne | 1 | |
| White ensigne with rose and crowne | 1 | |
| White ensigne flower de luce & crowne | 1 | |
| White ensigne with ye Scotch armes | 1 | |
| Red ensigne with ye Lo. Admiralls badge | 1 | |
| Brittaine Flagge | 1 | |
| Pendants | 26 | |
| * * * * * * | ||
| fflags of 18 breadthes | 1 | |
| 16 " | 1 | |
| 12 " | 5 | |
| Ensignes 18 " | 1 | |
| 14 " | 6 | |
| Striped ensignes | 4 | new but unsbl. |
| Red ensignes returned from sea | 2 | unsbl. |
| Chest to put fflaggs in | 1 |
As the four striped ensigns are reported "new but unserviceable" it may be inferred that the old striped form had now been definitely abandoned. Moreover, a similar survey carried out the month before at Portsmouth contains entries of four new "White Ensignes" and two new "Blew Ensignes," so that the white and blue ensigns had by 1633 made their appearance in the fleet. Unfortunately, the almost complete disappearance of the naval records of this period prevents us from ascertaining the precise occasion of the birth of these two ensigns; but they do not appear to have been yet in general use for distinguishing the private ships of squadrons, for Boteler, in his Six Dialogues written at this date, states that pendants were employed for that purpose.
Admiral. Colours and Ensignes I take to be all one, but wher are they to be placed and wherefore serve they?
Captain. They are placed in the Sternes or Poops of Ships; and very few Ships there are, whether Men of Warre or Merchantmen, that are without them. And their especial Service is, that when any strange Shypps meet one with another at Sea, or fynde one another in any Harbour or Rode, by the shewinge abroade thes Ensigns or Colours, it is knowne one to another of what country they are and to what place they belong.
Adm. Serve thes Colours or Ensigns for noe other employments but only this?