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Revealing history - United Kingdom flags
A simplified history of the UK - the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland' - can be seen in the design of the Union Flag.
Historically, England conquered or absorbed the territories of Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
In 1606, following the merging of the monarchies of England and Scotland, a flag was designed which included the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew.
In 1801, Ireland officially became part of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the cross of St. Patrick was added to form the Union Flag. In the 1920s part of Ireland was granted independence as the Irish Free State - later renamed Eire.
The Union Flag shows the flag of England superimposed on the flags of Scotland and Ireland.
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Cross of St. Patrick - Ireland
Cross of St. Andrew - Scotland
Cross of St. George - England
Union Flag
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A less triumphalist version of the Union Flag would include the flag of Wales, and would present the four main parts of the United Kingdom as equals, perhaps as below:
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