Spanish East Indies,1565

The “Cross of Burgundy” (representing the cross in which Saint Andrew was crucified, two crossed, roughly-pruned knotted branches) was first used in the 15th century. It was an emblem of the Valois Dukes of Burgundy, a region in France. This symbol, via the House of Habsburg, was adopted by the monarchs of Spain in the early 16th century. Spain used it as a naval ensign from 1506 to 1701 and it would have been flown in the Spanish East Indies.