The Rule Britannia Collection
THE ORIGINS OF THE BRITISH FLAG
In 1194 A.D. Richard I of England introduced the red cross of St George, as the national flag of England. At this point the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland - were separate countries. In 1536, Henry VIII passed an ‘Act of Union’ making Wales in effect a province of England. After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne to become King James I ‘A Union of the Crowns, but not yet the nations’.
By 1604 James I proclaimed a new title for himself - ‘King of Great Britain’. A problem arose as to which flag they should hoist up onto the Kings ships. The Blue and White flag of St.Andrew or the red and white flag of St.George? In 1606, a compromise was made - the National Flags of Scotland and England were united for use at sea, thus making the first ‘Union Jack’. For reasons set out in the rules of heraldry, where it is demanded that two colours must never touch each other, a white border was introduced to the new flag. 1701, Queen Anne proclaimed that the National Flag of Great Britain was to be used both ashore and afloat. England Wales and Scotland were now united under one Monarch and one Parliament. The Royal Navy christened the British flag ‘The Union”. 1801, Ireland united with Great Britain, now requiring a new national flag. The red cross of St.Patrick was combined with the Union flag of St George and St Andrew, to create the ‘Union Flag’ that has been flown ever since.
Master at Arms
British flag 1930’s cotton linen and denim back. Vintage medal ribbon attached with original brass naval buttons. Trimmed in vintage fox fur with Parisian 1930’s brass ring and ‘Lyre’ cap badge. Drawstring closure incorporating a vintage silk Hermes scarf.
Soft leather double stitched handles.
32x20x13cms
£185
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Ahoy
French linen nautical stripe trimmed with navy grosgrain. Finished with ‘Les Halles’ military style badge and 19thc French carved gilt buttons. Leather base with brass feet.
32x20x13cms
£180
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Britannia II
Antiqued flag trimmed with a soft creamy shearling. Finished with ‘Les Halles’ military style badge and 19thc carved gilt buttons. Leather base with brass feet.
32x20x13cms
£190
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Salute
Red and cream stripe chenille, trimmed with soft black shearling. Finished with military stripes and c1900’s gilt buttons.
32x20x13cms
£175
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Salute II
British soft beige cashmere/wool mix, trimmed with cream shearling. Military stripes flanked by a pair of Art Deco carved red buttons. Vintage Hermes scarf interior with leather base and brass feet.
32x20x13cms
£95
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Bosun I
Vintage flag trimmed with soft cream shearling. Military badge and 19thc English carved, gilt buttons. Vintage Italian bass relief on gold coin with leather base and brass feet. Handles trimmed in a vintage silk, once a gentleman’s tie.
32x20x13cms
£185
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Flotilla I
Grey wool suiting trimmed with roan colour goatskin. French velvet and gold thread buttons placed on French late 19thc silk navy and gold stripe material once used for gentleman’s ties. Leather base and brass feet.
32x20x13cms
£185
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Flotilla II
Grey stripe linen suiting trimmed with black/brown shearling. French, gold thread and velvet buttons finished with a Vintage Hermes scarf interior. Leather base with brass feet.
32x20x13cms
£40
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