Suspicion and mistrust between the two countries had prevented the union throughout the 17th century. The Scots feared that they would simply become another region of England, being swallowed up as had happened to Wales some four hundred years earlier. For England the fear that the Scots may take sides with France and rekindle the 'Auld Alliance' was decisive. England relied heavily on Scottish soldiers and to have them turn and join ranks with the French would have been disastrous.

A few financial incentives appear to have convinced some dithering Scottish MP's of the many potential benefits of a union with England. In the words of Robert Burns, the Scottish MP's were "bought and sold for English gold".

Early Flag Ideas

These ideas for joining the flags of England and Scotland are dated 1604. They show how early some people had begun to think of a union between the two nations.

The 'Old' Union Flag

In a poorly attended Scottish Parliament the MP's voted to agree the Union and on 16th January 1707 the Act of Union was signed. The Scottish parliament was dissolved and England and Scotland became one country.

Scotland kept its independence with respect to it's legal and religious systems, but coinage, taxation, sovereignty, trade , parliament and flag became one. The red cross of St. George combined with the blue cross of St. Andrew resulting in the 'old' union flag. This is popularly called the Union Jack, although strictly speaking, this only applies when it is flown on the jackstaff of a warship.

The Union flag that we recognise today did not appear until 1801, after another Act of Union, when the 'old' flag combined with the red cross of St. Patrick of Ireland.