Since the uniting of the crowns of England and Scotland in 1603, the Arms of the King of Scots have been incorporated into the versions of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.

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The Royal Arms of Scotland	The Royal Arms for Scotland

History

By 1332 the main element was already fixed, 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

In 1603 when James Stuart, King James VI of Scotland became James I of England and of Ireland he quartered the Scottish arms, with the red lion rampant of Scotland in the first and fourth quarters, the English arms in the second quarter¹, and the golden harp of Ireland in the third. In 1707, the Treaty of Union guaranteed that the Royal Arms for use in Scotland would continue to give precedence to the symbols of Scotland.

The Law

Scottish and United Kingdom law ² make it an offence to display the arms of Scotland or use them on the "Red Lion flag", as this is the Royal Standard. Their use is allowed only by a few Great Officers who officially represent The Sovereign, including:

• the First Minister as Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland,
• Lord-Lieutenants in their Lieutenancies,
• the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland,
• the Lord Lyon King of Arms and
• other lieutenants specially appointed.

However, in modern times, it has become practice for the Red Lion Flag (known as the Lion Rampant) to be used by Scottish citizens as an alternative Flag for Scotland. It can often be seen at football matches of the Scotland national team. Despite being an offence, it would be politically impossible to prosecute anyone for flying the arms.

See also

• The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.

Notes

English Arms

Until 1801 when George III abandoned the claim to the French throne the English arms quartered England and France.

Law

1672 cap. 47 and 30 & 31 Vict. cap. 17.