504 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



(e) The ribbon and motto of the most noble Order of the 

 Garter encircling the shield ; and, as symbolic and 

 decorative adjuncts, the helmet of the sovereign with 

 its appropriate mantling surmount the shield, while 

 underneath, the floral emblems of the three countries 

 are displayed. 



NATIONAL FLAGS — THE ROYAL STANDARD AND THE UNION JACK. 



The Royal Standard is a banner of large dimensions, the 

 quartered arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland occupying 

 the entire field. 



While the Royal Arms and the Royal Standard are the 

 special emblems of Imperial sovereignty, and indicate the Royal 

 presence or deputed authority, the national ensign of the 

 country is the Union Jack, the second in rank of the flag 

 family. 



THE QUARTERINGS ON THE ROYAL SHIELD. 



U/ and \th Quarterings — '* Gules three lions passant guar dant, 

 in pale, or" for England. 



It is remarkable that, with the exception of the eagle, the 

 lion is the only living creature figured in the early coats of arms. 

 Lions are said to have been so borne by the sovereigns of 

 England from the time of the Norman William. Planche, who 

 fully discusses the subject in his " Pursuivant of Arms," says 

 that the earliest intimation we receive of anything like a 

 heraldic decoration in England is in the time of Henry L, a.d. 

 i 127 ; and that the earliest undoubted representation of a Royal 

 achievement occurs on the seal of Prince John, afterwards 

 King of England, on which he is represented bearing a shield 

 with two lions upon it. Writers seem to be agreed that the 

 Royal Arms of England were two lions from the time of the 

 Conquest till the marriage of Henry II. with Eleanor of 

 Aquitaine, when the lion borne in the arms of that province 



