Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland

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Image:Royal Arms of Scotland.png
Image:Scottish Royal Banner.PNG
Image:Scotland royal coa.jpg

The Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland is the historical coat of arms of the Kings and Queens of Scots, used by them until the personal union with the Kingdom of England in 1603. It can still be seen today in the UK Royal arms.

A form of these arms was first used by William I of Scotland in the 12th century. A register in the College of Arms in London describes the arms of the Kyng of Scottz as being Or, a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter-flory Gules. (The lion is usually also depicted armed and langued azure.) The supporters were unicorns (chained as heraldic unicorns normally are, sincee they were considered dangerous beasts) and the crest was a crowned lion gules sejant affronte, holding a sceptre and a sword. The motto was Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: "No one provokes me with impunity") and the war-cry was "in defens."

The Royal Standard of Scotland or Royal Banner of Scotland (commonly known as the Lion Rampant Flag or the Scottish Standard) is a banner incorporating these arms. Although monarchs since union have stopped using this banner (in favor of the unified Royal Standard), the flag is still a very popular national symbol of Scotland among Scots today and is used as a secondary flag of Scotland: often present in great numbers at football and rugby matches, in towns and cities, and outside inns and hotels in rural areas.

The Law

Popular use of the saltire flag, although it is properly a Royal symbol, has a degree of official recognition. But the same is not true of the "lion rampant flag" (the old "Royal Standard" or "Royal Banner"); it is the property of the Queen and unauthorized use is illegal under Scots law (as, indeed, is the unauthorized use of any arms by somebody other than the owner). The following are authorised to use the "lion rampant flag"

  • the First Minister as Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, (the Secretary of State of Scotland formerly held this post)
  • Lords Lieutenant (in their Lieutenancies),
  • the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, (during the meeting of the General Assembly)
  • the Lord Lyon King of Arms,
  • and other lieutenants specially appointed.


However, in modern times, it has become practice for the Lion Rampant flag to be used by Scottish citizens as an alternative Flag of Scotland. Though such use is an offence, it would be administratively impossible to prosecute the thousands of people who fly the arms. In 1934 King George V permitted use of the flag "as a display of loyalty". Lord Lyon currently interprets this very widely to allow it, for example, to be waved at sporting events by loyal Scots, but frowns on it being flown as a flag - outside Civic or private buildings.

Union

Image:Scottish royal coat of arms.png

When James VI of Scots inherited the English throne (and with it the Irish), he adopted a join coat of arms combining the kingdoms' respective royal arms. With further alterations as warranted, this subsequently became the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. In each of the still independent states he used a slightly different version of the same arms, and this distinction was maintained after the Acts of Union 1707 and continues to this day. In the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom for use in Scotland the Scottish quarter and unicorn supporter are given priority in place; the Scottish crest and mottos are use. Please see that article for more information.

See also

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