Chapter I: Front Matter

FLAGS:

SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR HISTORY
AND USES.

_Of this large-paper Edition only 100 Copies have
been printed for sale._

_This Copy is No. 80_

STANDARD PRESENTED BY NAPOLEON I TO HIS GUARDS AT ELBA
A SHORT TIME BEFORE HE INVADED FRANCE IN 1815]

Flags:

SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR HISTORY
AND USES.

BY
A. MACGEORGE,

AUTHOR OF
"OLD GLASGOW," "THE ARMORIAL INSIGNIA OF GLASGOW,"
ETC.

BLACKIE & SON:
LONDON, GLASGOW, AND EDINBURGH.
1881.

PREFATORY NOTE.

In a nation like ours, with a dominion so extended, and with communication by sea and land with all parts of the world, the flags under which ships sail and armies and navies fight, cannot be without interest. Yet there are few subjects in regard to which the means of information are less accessible. The object of the present volume is to give, in a popular form, some account of our own flags, and of those of other nations, ancient and modern, with some notices regarding the use of flags, in naval warfare and otherwise.

I have taken occasion to point out certain heraldic inaccuracies in the construction of our national flag, and also in the design on our bronze coinage. I shall be glad if what I have written be the means, by directing public attention to the subject, of effecting the correction of these errors.

A. M.
_Glenarn, December, 1880._

CONTENTS.

Page

INTRODUCTORY, 11

ANCIENT STANDARDS, 13

DIFFERENT KINDS OF FLAGS--GONFANON, PENNON, PENONCEL, 28

BANNERS, 29

STANDARDS--THE ROYAL STANDARD, 36

STANDARDS BORNE BY NOBLES, 44

FLAGS OF THE COVENANTERS, 51

NATIONAL FLAGS, 54

THE UNION FLAG, 55

THE UNION JACK, 64

THE ENSIGN, 67

SPECIAL FLAGS, 71

THE PENDANT, 72

SIGNALS AND OTHER FLAGS, 73

USE OF FLAGS IN NAVAL WARFARE, 75

INTERNATIONAL USAGE AS TO FLAGS, 88

FLAGS OF THE BRITISH ARMY, 96

USE OF FLAGS BY PRIVATE PERSONS, 102

FOREIGN FLAGS--FRANCE, 103

THE AMERICAN FLAG, 110

OTHER FOREIGN FLAGS, 113