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

PLATE I

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

PREFATORY NOTE.

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

I have taken occasion to point out certain heraldic inaccuraciesin the construction of our national flag, and alsoin the design on our bronze coinage. I shall be glad ifwhat I have written be the means, by directing publicattention to the subject, of effecting the correction ofthese 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, ...