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symbolised and its authority represented. The uses of national 

 insignia are, however, as imperative to-day as at any previous 

 period. The national insignia of the United Kingdom possess 

 a most interesting story, of which it is the epitome, the changes 

 that have taken place from time to time serving as links in the 

 chain of momentous events in our national history. These 

 changes which have taken place on the Royal Shield, from 

 William the Conqueror to the present time, too tedious to 

 describe in detail, he had for greater clearness represented in a 

 series of diagrams. 



THE ROYAL ARMS. 



In describing the national insignia, the Royal achievement 

 is the first and most important thing to consider. It is a com- 

 bination of the armorial devices or honourable emblems borne 

 by the three sister kingdoms. Under the term " Royal Arms" 

 is embraced : — 



{a) The Arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, quartered 



upon one shield. 

 (5) Crest — upon a Royal Crown a lion statant, guardant, or, 

 imperially crowned. 



(c) Supporters — a gold lion and a silver unicorn. 



(d) The Motto — Dieu et Mon Droit, adopted as a cri de 



guerre by our Plantagenet kings in their expeditions 

 into France. 



