Unicorn Arms of Kings of Scots

[Galician]

I have a couple of questions from this post. Looking at the flags(?) in the center of the image, is the Scottish lion shown twice? And is this image that of the ruler of Great Britain or of the King of Scotland as noted on the first post in this thread?

And what's up with all those feathers??!!

As many times as I have seen the famous Unicorn Tapestries at the Cloisters, I had never noticed those elements of a cloven hoof and beard. I shall have to look more closely the next time!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have a couple of questions from this post. Looking at the flags(?) in the center of the image, is the Scottish lion shown twice? And is this image that of the ruler of Great Britain or of the King of Scotland as noted on the first post in this thread?

And what's up with all those feathers??!!

As many times as I have seen the famous Unicorn Tapestries at the Cloisters, I had never noticed those elements of a cloven hoof and beard. I shall have to look more closely the next time!

This is the full heraldic achievement of Charles II (reigned 1660-85) as used in Scotland. The shield is divided into four parts (called quarters) each representing a different "kingdom". Quarters one and four are the royal arms of Scotland; quarter two is for England (France quartering England as Charles still laid claim to that kingdom) and quarter three is for Ireland.

When these arms were used in England, the first and fourth quarters showed the English royal arms; quarter two was Scotland and quarter three, Ireland.

The "feathers" are called mantling and represent the monarch's robes. In this instance crimson velvet lined with cloth of gold.

Stephen Friar is the author of "The Dictionary of Heraldry", which is an excellent place to begin the study of heraldry. Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingiht (a former Lord Lyon) authored "Scots Heraldry", and this is really the "jumping off point" if you are specifically interested in heraldry north of the Tweed.

[Galician]

This is the full heraldic achievement of Charles II (reigned 1660-85) as used in Scotland. The shield is divided into four parts (called quarters) each representing a different "kingdom". Quarters one and four are the royal arms of Scotland; quarter two is for England (France quartering England as Charles still laid claim to that kingdom) and quarter three is for Ireland. When these arms were used in England, the first and fourth quarters showed the English royal arms; quarter two was Scotland and quarter three, Ireland.

The "feathers" are called mantling and represent the monarch's robes. In this instance crimson velvet lined with cloth of gold.

Thanks for that info. Let me just clarify something. This is the royal crest as used in Scotland? Is the duplication of a quarter done now only because the British monachs no longer lay claim to the Kingdom of France? (Does anybody? )

[macwilkin]

Stephen Friar is the author of "The Dictionary of Heraldry", which is an excellent place to begin the study of heraldry.

To further MacMillan's recomendation, Mr. Friar is also the co-author of a book entitled Basic Heraldry (with John Ferguson) -- I always recommend it to those beginning their study of the "gentle science".

Another title about Scottish Heraldry, the Heraldry Society of Scotland has published a booklet by Mark Dennis entitled simply Scottish Heraldry:

http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/scotinvit.html

I recommend it as well.

Regards,

Todd

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

This is the royal crest as used in Scotland? Is the duplication of a quarter done now only because the British monachs no longer lay claim to the Kingdom of France? (Does anybody? )

Technically the crest is the bit on top of the helmet, while everything on the shield is referred to as the arms.

In the 19th century England gave up it's claim to France and the Royal Arms replaced the old quartering with that of England (gules three leopards passant).

In the last century the Monarch ended the practice of reversing the English and Scottish quarters in Scotland. Thus, in both kingdoms, the quarterings are now: England 1&4, Scotland 2, Ireland 3.

As an aside, when Victoria ascended the throne the arms of Hanover were removed from the Royal Arms as salic law prevented her from claiming the kingship of Hanover. The present Royal Arms date very much from this, post Hanovarian, achievement.