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The oldest and continuously used national flag is that of Denmark. The current design of a white Scandinavian cross on a red background was adopted in 1625 and its square shape in 1748. In Denmark it is known as "Dannebrog" or "Danish cloth".
Although Denmark was never part of the Roman Empire, the Empire used similar designs to represent provinces as the white cross is a symbol of Christianity. The Scandinavian cross has its horizontal stripe slightly to the left of the square as you face it.Although there is no prescribed definition of what constitutes 'continuous' use, the Danish flag was certainly in use by the 1370s, as shown by Claes Heinenzoon's Gelre Armorial (or Heynen 1345-1414). It was certainly also used in naval battles. during the war against Sweden in the 1560s, as shown in a watercolor in Rudolf Dewenter's 1585 Account of Powder and Fireworks. In his Articles of War promulgated on May 8, 1625, King Christian IV issued flag and command colors in the Danish Navy.
It is often said that the Saltire of Scotland can claim longer lasting service as the national flag. According to the Flag Institute, the evidence for both the Saltire and the Dannebrog is fragmentary. However, the vexillologists believe that the balance of evidence suggests that Denmark is older: although St. Andrew was proclaimed the country's patron saint in the 14th century, there appears to be no direct evidence that the saltire has ever been discovered since that date was flown blue flag .The flags captured in 1513 at the Battle of Flodden
bore a saltire but were not white on blue. A Flag Manufacturing Bill of the same year mentions a red St Andrews flag, not a blue one. The flags captured by Cromwell in 1649-1650 after the battles of Dunbar and Worcester include some with black or red saltiers in addition to the white ones. However, a white saltire on a blue ensign was considered emblematic enough for Scotland to be included in the Union Jack in 1606. Hence it seemed in
that the Saltire, and only the Saltire, was the symbol of Scotland: the colors of the flag were not of primary importance, especially in the first half of the 16th century.This would prevent it from being defined as "continuous" use of the modern flag, according to the Flag Institute.
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