 | |
| Use | National flag    |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 3:5[1] |
| Design | A white field with centred red cross. Argent, a cross gules |
The flag of England is the national flag of England, a constituent country of the United Kingdom. It is derived from Saint George's Cross (heraldic blazon: Argent, a cross gules). The association of the red cross as an emblem of England can be traced back to the Late Middle Ages when it was gradually, increasingly, used alongside the Royal Banner. It became the only saint's flag permitted to be flown in public as part of the English Reformation and at a similar time became the pre-eminent maritime flag referred to as a white ensign. It was used as a component in the design of the Union Jack in 1606.[2]
It has been widely used since the 1990s, specifically at national sporting events, especially during the campaigns of England's national football teams.[3]
- ^ England (United Kingdom) Archived 28 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine; Gallery of sovereign state flags "The...proportion for the national flag of England is 3:5, with the each [limb of] the cross being 1⁄5 of the flag's height. The same ratio is used for Scotland and Wales. The saltire on Scotland's flag is [the same width]. It was chosen as being the closest 'standard' shape to the golden rectangle. Rectangular naval rank flags are actually 2:3, with the cross [each limb] being 1⁄6 of the height of the flag." Graham Bartram, 5 April 1999
- ^ Suchenia, Agnieszka (13 March 2013), The Union Flag and Flags of the United Kingdom (PDF), House of Commons Library, pp. 6–8
- ^ "What are the flags of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?". Metro. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2020.