The official name for the national Flag of England is the Cross of St George.

Unlike the Union Flag the St George does not appear to have any laid down proportions.

The flag is also the national flag of Georgia, which is named after St George and several cities throughout the Christian world.

A simple red cross on a white background it has the advantage of never being flown upside down! But also I imagine in times of war the coat of arms with it's simple design was easy to mass produce and easy to recognize.

When the flag was introduced is an aegued point. Pichard the Lionheart is supposed to have brought the flag to the country although there are earlier reports. This was mean the flag would have been introduce before 1190 though some historians date it as late as 1277. Whatever is the truth the flag has a long and illustrious history.

Surprisingly this is still controversial to a small minority. St George was chosen as patron saint for his stoicism and virtue leading up to his martyrdom. He also replaced St Edmund an Englishman, many people thought that the Norman elite did not want a Saxon Saint as patron.

At crecy and Agincourt it was English archers wearing the Cross of St George which crushed the French armies so that is good enough for me!