The St George’s Cross (or the Cross of St George) is a centred red cross on a white background. Originally the flag of the Republic of Genoa, it is the national flag of England and Georgia, amongst other provincial flags as well as the municipal flag for numerous cities including Milan and Genoa. St George’s Cross was originally the flag of Genoa and was adopted by England and the City of London in 1190 for their ships entering the Mediterranean to benefit from the protection of the powerful Genoese fleet. The maritime Republic of Genoa was rising and going to become, with its rival Venice, one of the most important powers in the world. The English Monarch paid an annual tribute to the Doge of Genoa for this privilege. It was adopted for the uniform of English soldiers during the Crusades of the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries, particularly by the Knights Templar. From about 1277 it officially became the national flag of England and Wales.