Heraldry in England

Armorial bearings are of ancient origin; but they did not acquire a systematized form in England until the reign of Henry III., or at the end of the thirteenth century.

Armorial bearings are also called "coats-of-arms." They are figurative marks of distinction assigned to individuals by certain courts, which are appointed by the sovereigns, and are known as The Herald's College, England; The College of Arms, Ireland; The Lyon Court, Scotland. The highest class consists of a shield with supporters and a crest along with a motto; but only members of the peerage, or those particularly qualified, are entitled to supporters. A shield is a triangular figure with the point downwards, and its colors and emblematic devices are in some way significant of the history of the family bearing it.

The tinctures (colors) are as follows:--

The surface of the shield is called the field. In England the assumption of arms by private individuals was first restrained by a proclamation of Henry V., which prohibited every one who had not borne arms at Agincourt to assume them, except in virtue of inheritance or a grant from the crown. The wrongful assumption of arms is an act for which the assumer may be subjected to penalties. The use of arms subjects the bearer of them to an annual tax.

Besides individuals, countries and states are entitled to the use of arms.

Previous to the union of the crowns, the supporters of the shield of England were two lions, and those of Scotland two unicorns.

After the union of the crowns, there was a lion on one side and a unicorn on the other. Before the union, the shield of England bore three lions passant (walking) on a field of gold: the shield of Scotland bore a lion rampant, or standing on its hind-legs, on a field of gold. Scott, in "Marmion," refers to the royal banner of Scotland,--

"The ruddy lion rampant in gold."

The royal shield of the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, now quartered, bears the three lions of England in the first and fourth quarter, the lion of Scotland in the second, and in the third the harp of Ireland,--the whole significant of the union of the several countries under one sovereign.

Henry VIII. was the first to assume the title of "King of Ireland." The title of "King of Great Britain" was assumed by James VI. of Scotland when he became James I. of England, an event known in history as "The Union of the Crowns," A.D. 1603.