Each country has its own symbolism, which is widely used not only for solemn occasions, but also in everyday life. The uniform of athletes in national shades, souvenirs in tourist shops, flags and emblems on administrative buildings - all this surrounds a person every day. The history of the appearance of such symbols is all the more interesting, the more bizarre the history of the state itself. That is why a lot of exciting details can be found out about the coat of arms and flag of England .
History of occurrence
For the first time, state symbols appeared under King Richard I, nicknamed the “Lionheart”. He was the first ruler with his own emblem; his image began to serve the subsequent British kings. On the red coat of arms were depicted three golden leopards or, as the official name says, three walking lions on guard. These animals became the English royal emblem, which was used by the rulers of completely different dynasties. Such an image for a long time remained the only symbol of the country, without acquiring additions and without changing.
How did the symbol of England change?
Changes appeared during the Hundred Years War, known as the Leopard and Lily War. In 1328, the French Capetian dynasty ceased, and the English king Edward III claimed the throne. When he was not elected, he cut the field of his shield, leaving the lions in the second and third quarters, and in the first and fourth placed the emblem of France, depicting a azure field with golden lilies. The medieval coat of arms of England remained in this form for quite some time. When France ceased to be mentioned in the royal title, the number of elements symbolizing it was reduced.
In addition, in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended the throne, adding Ireland and Scotland to the possessions. So the coat of arms was replenished with a red lion on a gold field, whose image has long been a symbol of the county of Fayfsky. The Golden Harp was also an ancient symbol - it appeared in Ireland in the 15th century. Under Queen Victoria, whose reign was in the 19th century, the national emblem of England took on the form that has remained unchanged in our days. Shield holders, whose figures are depicted on the sides, also took the final form. In the old days, it was falcons, and yal, and a white swan, and the Welsh dragon of the Tudors, and the white boar of King Richard the Third, and the silver hound dog of Richmond County.
The modern look of state symbols
The long history of the coat of arms of England may be continued, but at the moment the symbol remains unchanged, no changes are planned. It contains signs marking the monarch who rules at the moment. For Elizabeth II, this is the EIIR code, which is also used on homes, administrative buildings, and such details as mailboxes. Inside is a shield divided into four parts. Like the Medieval coat of arms of England, the modern one contains two parts occupied by golden leopards on red. In the upper right corner is the symbol of Scotland, it is a red lion on its hind legs, depicted against a background of red stripes. In the lower left corner is the coat of arms of Ireland, which looks like a yellow harp against a blue background. The shield is supported by a crowned lion and a silver unicorn with a collar in the form of small connected crowns. A blue ribbon passes under them, which serves as a kind of support for mythological animals. Written on it
invented by King Richard I the motto: "Dieu et mon droit." Translated from French means "God and my right." Such a coat of arms of England, whose photographs and images are now used everywhere, reflects both the current state of the state and its rich centuries-old history.
Heraldic conflicts with Ireland
The symbols of Ireland are the shamrock and harp, which is also depicted on the modern national emblem of the Republic of Ireland. The presence of a similar image in English symbolism causes the discontent of many Irish. However, this detail reflects the Medieval coat of arms of England, created at a time when the territory of the republic completely belonged to Great Britain. At the moment, only Northern Ireland is part of the state , but it was decided not to change the emblem, since the harp can symbolize this part of the country. Irish historians and politicians have expressed the view that this image applies only to the independent part of the republic. The same territory of the island, which still refers to Great Britain, belongs to the symbol in the form of a red palm on a white background, used for many years. The British believed that the history of the coat of arms of England and includes a seizure of details: as a result of territorial disputes with the French, the symbol of the French kings was removed from the shield. In addition, replacing the harp with a red palm would simply be inappropriate. Therefore, the emblem remained unchanged, and the Irish remained to console themselves by the fact that their
The image is very different from the British. In addition, there is hope for the unification of the Republic with the northern counties. Then Ireland will become one, and Britain will still have to change the emblem.
National flag history
Not only the medieval coat of arms of England is interesting, which has undergone many changes in order to acquire a modern look. The national flag is also a very interesting symbol. The national symbol of England is a white canvas with the cross of St. George. This flag has been used since 1277. The patron saint of Scotland is St. Andrew. It is symbolized by a scythe, also called Andreevsky, a cross on a blue background. St. Andrew was a Christian preacher in the Balkans and was crucified in Greece, his remains were brought by a monk to Scotland. It is believed that his crucifixion was oblique, and therefore
the cross is depicted on the flag that way. The emblem has been used by Scots since the thirteenth century. When the English throne went to Jacob, the son of the Scottish queen, the flag was combined and was a combination of direct red and oblique white crosses on a blue background.
Modern flag
In January 1801, an oblique red cross was added to the canvas, which was intended to symbolize St. Patrick and Ireland. In order not to offend the feelings of the Scots, the lines of the Irish cross are somewhat offset. This version of the flag has been preserved at the moment and is the most famous version of the British symbol. It is called Union Jack and is used almost universally. Only the navy uses a white banner with a red cross, and merchant ships sail under a red flag with a British symbol in the corner.