Spanish America, after 1506

Spanish explorers landed on some of the Caribbean islands since Columbus’ “discovery” of 1492 and claimed the region for Spain. Since 1506 the Spanish used as their naval ensign a white flag with, in red, the “Cross of Burgundy” (representing the cross on 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.