The Saint Andrew’s cross is the Scottish flag. The Saint Andrew’s cross is the Scottish flag. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.

Long agoLong ago Saint Andrew appeared in a Saint Andrew appeared in a vision vision of this crossof this cross to the Pictish king to the Pictish king (Angus), who was about to fight a major (Angus), who was about to fight a major battle against the Saxon king battle against the Saxon king (Athelstan), and promised the Picts (Athelstan), and promised the Picts victory.victory.

Saint Andrew Saint Andrew called in the called in the tradition the tradition the First-calledFirst-called

About the middle of the About the middle of the XXth century, Andrew became the th century, Andrew became the patron saint patron saint of Scotlandof Scotland. . He was foisted upon Scotland as its patron when the old He was foisted upon Scotland as its patron when the old

Celtic and Culdee centres were superseded Celtic and Culdee centres were superseded by the new bishopric of St. Andrewby the new bishopric of St. Andrew

Saint AndrewSaint Andrew was one of was one of the 12 men chosen by the 12 men chosen by Christ to spread his Christ to spread his

teaching. teaching. ChristianChristian Apostle, Apostle,

the younger brother the younger brother of of Saint Peter, preached Saint Peter, preached the Gospel in Asia and the Gospel in Asia and

along the shores of along the shores of the Black Sea. the Black Sea.

Several legends state that the relics of Several legends state that the relics of Andrew were brought under supernatural Andrew were brought under supernatural

guidance from guidance from ConstantinopleConstantinople to the to the place where the modern town of place where the modern town of Saint Saint

AndrewAndrewss stands todaystands today

The image of Saint The image of Saint Andrew thereafter Andrew thereafter came to symbolise came to symbolise

ScotlandScotland

He is believed to have crucifixion on a He is believed to have crucifixion on a diagonal diagonal X-shaped crossX-shaped cross

(St. Andrew’s Cross) (St. Andrew’s Cross)

Tradition has it that Tradition has it that St Andrew’s remains were St Andrew’s remains were

transferred to Scotland, transferred to Scotland, probably in 8th century, and probably in 8th century, and

since that time St Andrew has since that time St Andrew has been the patron saint of that been the patron saint of that

country.country.

St Andrew is an oSt Andrew is an old ld man with long white man with long white

hair and beard, hair and beard, holding the holding the Gospel Gospel BookBook, sometimes , sometimes

leaning on leaning on a a saltire, tsaltire, the Scottish he Scottish

heraldic term for such a heraldic term for such a crosscross..

Scotland was an independent Scotland was an independent Kingdom, often at war with Kingdom, often at war with England (from XI-th to XVI-th England (from XI-th to XVI-th century), until 1603 when King century), until 1603 when King James VI of Scotland (the son James VI of Scotland (the son of Mary I) became also King of Mary I) became also King James I of England (1603-1625). James I of England (1603-1625).

In 1707 the Act of Union was passed under In 1707 the Act of Union was passed under which Scotland and England became a united which Scotland and England became a united part, but the Scots kept their own legal part, but the Scots kept their own legal system, religion and administrative systems system, religion and administrative systems and still keep them now.and still keep them now.

In 1651 Scotland was In 1651 Scotland was united with united with

England and Wales.England and Wales.

After James I succeeded to the throne, the Cross of St. After James I succeeded to the throne, the Cross of St. George (English flag) was combined with the cross of George (English flag) was combined with the cross of

St Andrew in 1606. St Andrew in 1606.

The term The term Union JackUnion Jack may come from the 'jack-et' may come from the 'jack-et' of the English or Scottish soldiers; of the English or Scottish soldiers;

or from the name of James I or from the name of James I who originated the first union in 1603.who originated the first union in 1603.

King James I ordered that the King James I ordered that the Union Flag should be flown Union Flag should be flown

on the main mast of all on the main mast of all British ships, except on ships British ships, except on ships

of war. Here the flag was of war. Here the flag was flown at the front of the flown at the front of the bowsprit. The end of the bowsprit. The end of the

bowsprit was called the Jake bowsprit was called the Jake Star and so we get the name Star and so we get the name

of of Union Jack.Union Jack.

A "jack", by the way, is A "jack", by the way, is an old nord for the an old nord for the

sailor.sailor.

On 28th July, 1707, during the reign On 28th July, 1707, during the reign of Queen Anne, this flag was by of Queen Anne, this flag was by royal proclamation made the royal proclamation made the National flag of Great Britain, National flag of Great Britain, for use ashore and afloat.for use ashore and afloat.