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Kingdoms of England & Scotland
The current royal arms are a combination of the arms of the former kingdoms that make up the United Kingdom, & can be traced back to the first arms of the kings of England & kings of Scots.
Various alterations occurred over the years as the arms of other realms acquired or claimed by the kings were added to the royal arms.
The photos below track the changes in the royal arms from the original arms of King Richard I of England, & William I, King of Scots, through royal history
Kingdom of England
Click picture for more information
Edward the Confessor
Attributed royal Coat of arms of King Edward the Confessor (who lived before standardized coats of arms came into use) by Matthew Paris, based on a design on Edward's coinage.
Edward's arms were impaled or quartered by his descendants.
Edward's arms were impaled or quartered by his descendants.
Henry II
Coat of arms in use as the Arms of England from 1154-1189 during the reign of Henry II
King Richard I Lionheart
Possible interpretation of the arms shown on King Richard I's first Great Seal.
These are the arms of Plantagenet, of which family Richard was a member. The tinctures & the number of charges shown in this illustration are speculative.
Arms of England from 1189 - 1198
Blazon (Description): Gules two lions combatant Or, armed & langued Azure.
These are the arms of Plantagenet, of which family Richard was a member. The tinctures & the number of charges shown in this illustration are speculative.
Arms of England from 1189 - 1198
Blazon (Description): Gules two lions combatant Or, armed & langued Azure.
Richard I Lionheart
Used as the Royal Arms of England (1198 - 1340)
Other kings to use this coat of arms were King John; Henry III; Edward I; Edward II & Edward III.
The second Great Seal of Richard I (1198) shows him bearing a shield depicting three lions passant-guardant. This is the first instance of the appearance of this blazon, which later became established as the Royal Arms of England. It is likely, therefore, that Richard introduced this heraldic design. In his earlier Great Seal of 1189, he had used either one lion rampant or two lions rampants combatants, which arms he may have adopted from his father.
Richard is also credited with having originated the English crest of a lion statant (now statant-guardant). The coat of three lions continues to represent England on several coins of the pound sterling, forms the basis of several emblems of English national sports teams (such as the England national football team, & the team's "Three Lions" anthem), & endures as one of the most recognisable national symbols of England.
Other kings to use this coat of arms were King John; Henry III; Edward I; Edward II & Edward III.
The second Great Seal of Richard I (1198) shows him bearing a shield depicting three lions passant-guardant. This is the first instance of the appearance of this blazon, which later became established as the Royal Arms of England. It is likely, therefore, that Richard introduced this heraldic design. In his earlier Great Seal of 1189, he had used either one lion rampant or two lions rampants combatants, which arms he may have adopted from his father.
Richard is also credited with having originated the English crest of a lion statant (now statant-guardant). The coat of three lions continues to represent England on several coins of the pound sterling, forms the basis of several emblems of English national sports teams (such as the England national football team, & the team's "Three Lions" anthem), & endures as one of the most recognisable national symbols of England.
Edward III
King Edward III quartered the Royal Arms of England with the ancient arms of France, the fleurs-de-lis on a blue field, to signal his claim to the French throne.
In use: 1340–1377
In use: 1340–1377
Richard II
King Richard II impaled the Royal Arms of England with the arms attributed to King Edward the Confessor.
In use: 1377–1399
Blazon: Per pale, I: Azure a cross flory & five martlets Or; II: Quarterly, 1 & 4: Azure semy-de-lis Or; 2 & 3: Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed & langued Azure.
In use: 1377–1399
Blazon: Per pale, I: Azure a cross flory & five martlets Or; II: Quarterly, 1 & 4: Azure semy-de-lis Or; 2 & 3: Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed & langued Azure.
Henry V
The arms were updated the French arms to the modern version, three fleurs-de-lis on a blue field.
Royal Arms of England and France used intermittently (1399-1603)
Royal Arms of England and France used intermittently (1399-1603)
Henry VI
King Henry VI impaled the French & English arms, using the same arms after his "readeption".
Royal Arms of England and France (1470-1471)
Royal Arms of England and France (1470-1471)
Edward IV
King Edward IV restored the arms of King Henry IV.
In use: 1461–1470 & 1471–1554
In use: 1461–1470 & 1471–1554
Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey (c. 1537 – 12 February 1554), also known as Lady Jane Dudley (after her marriage) & as "the Nine Days' Queen", was an English noblewoman & de facto Queen of England and Ireland from 10 July until 19 July 1553.
Mary I
Queen Mary I impaled her arms with those of her husband, King Philip of Spain. Although Queen Mary I's father, King Henry VIII, assumed the title "King of Ireland" & this was further conferred upon King Philip, the arms were not altered to feature the Kingdom of Ireland.
In use: 1554–1558
In use: 1554–1558
Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I restored the arms of King Henry IV.
In use: 1558–1603
In use: 1558–1603
Kingdom of Scotland
William I of Scotland
A red lion, rampant, on a yellow field within a double royal tressure, flory counter-flory, first used by King William I, & later by his successors, & becoming the heraldic representation of Scotland.
In use: 12th century – 1558
Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland used from the 12th century to 1603. Used by the Kings of Scots up until the Union of the Crowns in 1603 under King James VI & I, of Scotland & England.
Blazon: Escutcheon Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Gules (for the Kingdom of Scotland), the whole surrounded by the Order of the Thistle; for a Crest, upon the Royal helm the imperial crown Proper, a lion sejant affrontée Gules, imperially crowned Or, holding in the dexter paw a sword & in the sinister paw a scepter both erect & Proper; Motto ‘In defens’; Mantling Or and ermine; for Supporters, dexter a unicorn Argent armed, crined & unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée & fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs & reflexed over the back also Or, supporting a tilting lance proper flying a banner Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Gules (Banner of the King of Scots), sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined & unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée & fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs & reflexed over the back also Or, supporting a tilting lance proper flying a banner Azure, a saltire Argent (Cross of Saint Andrew)
In use: 12th century – 1558
Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland used from the 12th century to 1603. Used by the Kings of Scots up until the Union of the Crowns in 1603 under King James VI & I, of Scotland & England.
Blazon: Escutcheon Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Gules (for the Kingdom of Scotland), the whole surrounded by the Order of the Thistle; for a Crest, upon the Royal helm the imperial crown Proper, a lion sejant affrontée Gules, imperially crowned Or, holding in the dexter paw a sword & in the sinister paw a scepter both erect & Proper; Motto ‘In defens’; Mantling Or and ermine; for Supporters, dexter a unicorn Argent armed, crined & unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée & fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs & reflexed over the back also Or, supporting a tilting lance proper flying a banner Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Gules (Banner of the King of Scots), sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined & unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée & fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs & reflexed over the back also Or, supporting a tilting lance proper flying a banner Azure, a saltire Argent (Cross of Saint Andrew)
Mary, Queen of Scots, Dauphine of France
Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland from 1558 to 1559, used by Mary, Queen of Scots as Dauphine of France
In use: 1558–1559
In use: 1558–1559
Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary, Queen of Scots & Queen consort of France. She also for a short time quartered the English arms in France. Mary claimed the English crown. see link below
In use: 1559–1560
In use: 1559–1560
Mary, Queen of Scots & Queen dowager of France.
Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland from 1560 to 1565, used by Mary, Queen of Scots and Dowager Queen of France
In use: 1560–1565
In use: 1560–1565
Mary, Queen of Scots
Upon her (second) marriage to Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, in 1565, Mary discontinued the arms of Scotland & France impaled, reverting to those of the Kingdom of Scotland. King James VI was the last monarch of Scotland to use these arms before the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
In use: 1565–1603
In use: 1565–1603
The Union of the Crowns places England, Ireland & Scotland under one monarch
James VI & I as used in England
James VI, King of Scots inherited the English & Irish thrones in 1603 as James I
(Union of the Crowns), & quartered the Royal Arms of England (pictured here) with those of Scotland.
For the first time, the Royal Coat of Arms of Ireland was added to represent the Kingdom of Ireland. (The Scottish version differs in giving the Scottish elements more precedence.)
In use: 1603-1707
Also used by Charles I & Charles II
(Union of the Crowns), & quartered the Royal Arms of England (pictured here) with those of Scotland.
For the first time, the Royal Coat of Arms of Ireland was added to represent the Kingdom of Ireland. (The Scottish version differs in giving the Scottish elements more precedence.)
In use: 1603-1707
Also used by Charles I & Charles II
James VI & I used in Scotland
Royal Arms of Scotland from 1603 to 1707 (with several interuptions)
James VI, King of Scots inherited the English & Irish thrones in 1603 (Union of the Crowns), & quartered the Royal Arms of England (pictured here) with those of Scotland (pictured here). For the first time, the Royal Coat of Arms of Ireland was added to represent the Kingdom of Ireland. (The Scottish version differs in giving the Scottish elements more precedence.)
Also used by Charles I & Charles II
James VI, King of Scots inherited the English & Irish thrones in 1603 (Union of the Crowns), & quartered the Royal Arms of England (pictured here) with those of Scotland (pictured here). For the first time, the Royal Coat of Arms of Ireland was added to represent the Kingdom of Ireland. (The Scottish version differs in giving the Scottish elements more precedence.)
Also used by Charles I & Charles II
William III & Mary II
King James II & VII was deposed and replaced with his daughter Mary II and her husband, William III.
As King and Queen they impaled their arms: William bore the Royal Arms with an escutcheon of Nassau (the royal house to which William belonged) added (a golden lion rampant on a blue field), while Mary bore the Royal Arms undifferenced.
Used in England: 1689-94
As King and Queen they impaled their arms: William bore the Royal Arms with an escutcheon of Nassau (the royal house to which William belonged) added (a golden lion rampant on a blue field), while Mary bore the Royal Arms undifferenced.
Used in England: 1689-94
William III & Mary II
King James II & VII was deposed and replaced with his daughter Mary II and her husband, William III. As King and Queen they impaled their arms: William bore the Royal Arms with an escutcheon of Nassau (the royal house to which William belonged) added (a golden lion rampant on a blue field), while Mary bore the Royal Arms undifferenced. In Scotland the king was numbered William II of Scots
Used in Scotland: 1689-94
Used in Scotland: 1689-94
William III & Mary II as used in England
King James II & VII was deposed & replaced with his daughter Mary II & her husband, William III. As King & Queen they impaled their arms: William bore the Royal Arms with an escutcheon of Nassau (the royal house to which William belonged) added (a golden lion rampant on a blue field), while Mary bore the Royal Arms undifferenced.
In use: 1689–1694
In use: 1689–1694
William II & Mary II
Coat of Arms of Scotland from 1689 to 1694 used by King of Scots. Mary II and William II (William III in England)
William III
After the death of Mary II, William III reigned alone, and used his arms only.
In use in England: 1694-1702
In use in England: 1694-1702
William II
After the death of Mary II, William III (II in Scotland) reigned alone, & used his arms only in Scotland..
In use: 1694-1702
In use: 1694-1702
Queen Anne
Queen Anne inherited the throne upon the death of King William III & II, & the Royal Arms returned to the 1603 version.
In use in England: 1702–1707
In use in England: 1702–1707
Queen Anne
Queen Anne inherited the throne upon the death of King William III & II, & the Royal Arms returned to the 1603 version.
In use Scotland: 1702–1707
In use Scotland: 1702–1707