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The Union Flag
 The flag of the United Kingdom is officially called the Union flag, because it embodies the emblems of three countries united under one monarch. The Union Flag
is commonly known as the Union Jack, although the exact origin of the name is unclear.
The emblems that appear on the Union Flag are the crosses of The Three Patron Saints.
St Andrew, St George and St Patrick
The white diagonal cross, or saltire, of St Andrew, for Scotland, on a blue ground
The red cross of St George, for England, on a white ground; and
The red diagonal cross attributed to St Patrick, for Ireland, on a white ground.Wales is not represented on the Union Flag because by the time the first version of the flag appeared, Wales was already united with England.
The Welsh Flag, a red dragon on a field of white and green, dates from the fifteenth century.
At the beginning of the Crusades, St George's red cross on white was already associated with England. Although the pope decided English crusaders would
be distinguished by wearing a white cross on red, and French crusaders a red cross on white (German knights were allocated yellow and blue). English knights soon
decided to claim instead "their"cross of red on white, like the French. As both English and French knights wore this pattern, the red cross on white became
the typical crusader symbol regardless of nationality, an indirect result of its English associations.
 The Crusades
"A bold attempt is half of success." | |
Breakaway Destination Guides (International)
Breakaway’s Travel World
A Guide to Golden Lands and Faraway Places
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 It a good idea to check out the wine of the area
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European Guides
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