South Britain is a term which was occasionally used in the 17th and 18th centuries, forEngland and Wales in relation to their position in the southern half of the island ofGreat Britain. It was used mainly byScottish writers, in apposition to the term "North Britain", which generally referred toScotland.[1][2][3]
Early uses of the designation have been noted after the 1603Union of the Crowns of the Kingdoms ofEngland andScotland.King James VI & I used the terms "South Britain" and "North Britain" for England (and, implicitly,Wales) and Scotland respectively, most famously in his Proclamation of 1606 (here)[4] establishing the firstUnion Flag, where Scotland and England are not otherwise named:
"Whereas some difference has a risen between our Subjects of South and North Britain, Travelling by Sea, about the bearing of their flags"
This usage was repeated inCharles I's Proclamation of 1634 on the use of the flag, though addingEngland andScotland too for explanation:
"Our further will and pleasure is, that all the other Ships of Our Subjects of England or South Britain bearing flags shall from henceforth carry the Red Cross, commonly called S. George’s Cross, as of old time hath been used; And also that all other ships of Our Subjects of Scotland or North Britain shall henceforth carry the White Cross commonly called S. Andrews Cross"
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