Just for the record the "Union Jack" as it currently stands was designed and adopted in 1801 to mark the union with Ireland it consists of the  the Flag of St George (England) the flag of St Andrew (Scotland ) and the flag of St  Patrick (Ireland) all imposed on top of one another.
It seems the Welsh dont get a look in.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_FlagI understand the Stars are representative of the States of the USA Â but are the Stripes significant ??
Interestingly if you scroll down the Wikky page it features the flags of Baton Rouge Louisiana  and Taunton Massachusetts which also feature the pre 1801 Union Jack ?? must be a Colonial thing.
Turning into an interesting  history lesson Â
Lou
Motu... the gear we wear for reenacting has the buttons the "wrong" way round and its surprising how awkward it makes it to get dressed.