[262] Pipe Off. Dec. Acc. 2232.
[263] Corbett, op. cit. Descriptions of flags are very rarely given in the accounts; usually only the size and price appear.
[264] These flags would be about 6 yards long by 5 yards deep.
[265] S. P. D. Chas I, v, 31.
[266] A ship not bearing an admiral's flag was called a "private ship"; but before 1650 the term "private man-of-war" almost invariably denotes a merchant ship having letters of marque, afterwards called a "privateer."
[267] Cf. Boteler Dialogue, 5: "The use of them is in Fleets to distinguish the Squadrons, by hanging of them out in the Tops; as all those Ships of the Admirals Squadron hang them out in the Main-top; those of the Vice Admirals in the Fore-top; and those of the Rere Admirals in the Missen-top; and here also they are of different Colours." See also Monson, Book iii.
[268] A Relation Touching the Fleet and Army of the King's most excellent majesty King Charles, set forth in the first year of his highness's reign, and touching the order, proceedings and actions of the same fleet and army, by Sir John Glanville, secretary to the Council of War (Camden Soc. N. S. vol. xxxii, p. 83).
[269] Op. cit. "The Rere Admirals place with the white flagg to be borne in the mayne topp was assigned ... to my Lord Denbigh."
[270] Corbett, Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 (N. R. S.), p. 49.
[271] S. P. D. Inter. xxxii, 39.