Police protect Apprentice Boys from stone throwers

[Apprenticeboys1688]

General Committee of the Apprentice boys is the governing body of the association. They have to meet to open the days event. The flags are historical flags belonging to them and flown from Walkers pillar on the city walls. When the flags are flying General committee is open, when they're down they are closing with a meeting and the days events are coming to an end. The Crimson flag remains flying from the Memorial Hall for three to four days in memory of the brave 13 Apprentice boys.

[ickytoots]

why are the flags being removed ????

[Apprenticeboys1688]

That was the Ensign flown on the royal naval vessel which broke the 105 day Siege, They carried that flag with their troops into the city. The ensigns were flags based on the royal standard. I think it was the Irish ensign? Green flags at that time were popular with the Williamite troops. The union flag didn't exist for over another 100 years. So they are the original flag designs flown in the city at the relief of the city 1689.

[Sammy1234568910]

@Apprenticeboys1688 actually I think the union flag did exist as I read it was made to the design of James I but Charles I said it was only used for Royal purposes and didn't become the British flag until the act of union between England and Scotland in 1707, I might be wrong though I am no flag expert but I am interested. I have read about Irish ships flying an unofficial green ensign with harp and a union flag on it in the 19th century perhaps this idea dates back to the siege?

[Apprenticeboys1688]

@Sammy1234568910 You're right in what you're saying There were variants of the union flag as far back as 1606, until Oliver Cromwell banned them from being flown on naval ships in favour of the English flag which we know as the cross of St George.There were no cross of St Patrick on the early union flags until 1801. I'm no expert but i think what i've said is correct.

[Sammy1234568910]

@Apprenticeboys1688 yes I think what you said is correct. The cross of St Patrick wasn't added untill 1801, because Ireland had colony status, and the protestants of didn't consider themselves Irish or Ulstermen they considered themselves English or Scots and hadn't yet been fused together into the Ulster protestant. But in 1801 Ireland was given equal status within the UK and a vote and sent MPs to London so St patricks cross was added for the British people of Ireland :)

[mofobrofoshoable]

Whats the green flag with the St George's cross on it called?