Union Jack

"What are your orders "Wicked Will"? Shall we raise the Union Jack..." "...or the Jolly Roger?"

- Elizabeth Swann and Jack Sparrow to Will Turner

The Union Jack is the flag and symbol of Great Britain. They are seen mainly on important buildings, like forts, or on ships, like military ships.

History
When King James VI of Scotland ascended to the English throne, thereby becoming James I of England, the national flags of England and Scotland on land continued to be, respectively, the red St. George's Cross and the white St. Andrew's Cross. Confusion arose, however, as to what flag would be appropriate at sea. On 12 April 1606 a proclamation was issued:

"All our subjects in this our isle and kingdom of Great Britain and the members thereof, shall bear in their main top the red cross commonly called St. George's Cross and the white cross commonly called St. Andrew's Cross joined together according to a form made by our heralds and sent to our Admiral to be published to our said subjects."

However, the flag was for use only at sea in civil and military ships of both Scotland and England. In 1634 its use was restricted to the king's ships. The flag went out of use in 1649 when England became a commonwealth but was restored for use in the king's ships after the restoration in 1660. The flag became "the ensign armorial of the United Kingdom of Great Britain" as one of the provisions of the Act of Union in 1707, when the kingdoms of England and Scotland were united.

Behind the scenes

 * Unlike the 18th century version, the modern version of the Union Jack has St. Patrick's Cross, instead of the one without it. The modern version was used in these Pirates of the Caribbean-related material:
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl trailer - on the background for the film's logo.
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Missing Pirate - it appears at the cover page.
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - seen being flown on the HMS Providence.

Appearances

 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
 * The Buccaneer's Heart!
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Missing Pirate
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides