The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain, or defaced with a badge or other emblem.
The evolution of the Blue Ensign followed that of the Union Flag. The ensign originated in the 17th century with the St George's cross (see Flag of England) in the canton, and with a blue field background (top right).
The Acts of Union 1707 united England, Scotland, and Wales in the Kingdom of Great Britain and produced a new blue ensign which placed the Union Flag in the canton. With the Act of Union 1800, Ireland joined the United Kingdom and the St Patrick's Cross was added to the Union Flag of the United Kingdom and, accordingly, to the cantons of the British ensigns from 1 January 1801.
-
The modern Blue Ensign of the United Kingdom
-
The British Blue Ensign (1707–1801)
-
English Blue Ensign as it appeared in the seventeenth century.
Read more about Blue Ensign: Plain Blue Ensign, Defaced Blue Ensign
Famous quotes containing the words blue and/or ensign:
“Rather than have it the principal thing in my son’s mind, I would gladly have him think that the sun went round the earth, and that the stars were so many spangles set in the bright blue firmament.”
—Thomas Arnold (1795–1842)
“Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky;”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–1894)