British Flags, Their Early History, and Their Development at Sea: With an Account of the Origin of the Flag as a National Device |
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Common terms and phrases
Admiral's flag Admirall Admiralty adopted anchor flag appears badge battle blue ensign British broad pendant canton Captain century Code command Commodore Council cross of St crown denote displayed distinguish Dragon Dutch Earl early enemy England English escutcheon expedition fighting flagg fleet flew fore galleys gonfanon H.M. ships harp hoisted horizontal stripes Instructions Ireland Irish issued Item king King's lanterns Lord High Admiral Majesty Majesty's mast masthead merchant ships mizen national flag naval Navy numeral flags numerary occasion officers Pepys placed Plate poop port private ships Proclamation Rear-Admirals recognised Red and white red cross red ensign reign royal arms royal standard sail saint saltire Scotland Scots seal shipp Signal Book squadronal colours St Andrew St George St George's cross staff streamers topp Union flag Union Jack vessels vexillum Vice Vice-Admiral wear white ensign white flag Yacht yards long yellow
Popular passages
Page 55 - Britain, and the members thereof, shall bear in their maintop the Red Cross, commonly called St. George's Cross, and the White Cross, commonly called St. Andrew's Cross, joined together, according to a form made by our Heralds, and sent by us to our Admiral to be published to our said subjects : and in their fore-top our subjects of South Britain shall wear the Red Cross only, as they were wont, and our subjects of North Britain in their fore-top the White Cross only, as they were accustomed.
Page 33 - Holinshed'u phrase. to make a " dragon, in manner of a standard or ensign of red samit, to be embroidered with gold, and his tongue to appear as continually moving, and his eyes of sapphires, or other stones agreeable to him, to be placed in the Church against the King's coming thither.
Page 68 - George's Cross) passing quite through the same ; And the Ensign Red, with the like Cross in a Canton White, at the upper Corner thereof next to the Staff".
Page 174 - By attacking the enemy's van and centre, the wind blowing directly along their Line, I was enabled to throw what force I pleased on a few ships.
Page 64 - And that this Union may take its more full effect and intent, be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, that the Arms of Scotland, viz. a cross, commonly called St. Andrew's Cross, be received into and borne, from henceforth in the Arms of this Commonwealth, as a badge of this Union...
Page 132 - ... strictly charging and commanding the masters of all merchant ships and vessels belonging to any of our subjects, whether employed in our service or otherwise, and all other persons whom it may concern, to wear the said ensign on board their ships or vessels.
Page 138 - ... club to wear the blue ensign of Her Majesty's fleet, with the distinguishing marks of the club, as...
Page 70 - For prevention whereof you are to oblige the Commanders of all such Ships to which you shall grant Commissions to wear no other Jack than according to the Sample here described, that is to say, such as is worn...
Page 31 - They say, moreover, that in every battle, wherever that flag went before them, if they were to gain the victory a live crow would appear flying on the middle of the flag; but if they were doomed to be defeated it would hang down motionless, and this was often proved to be so.