British Coat of Arms - History - Union of The Crowns and Commonwealth

Union of The Crowns and Commonwealth

The Union of the Crowns places England, Ireland and Scotland under one monarch
Arms Dates Details
1603–1649 James VI, King of Scots inherited the English and Irish thrones in 1603 (Union of the Crowns), and quartered the Royal Arms of England with those of Scotland. For the first time, the Royal Coat of Arms of Ireland was added to represent the Kingdom of Ireland. (The Scottish version differs in giving the Scottish elements more precedence.)
1649–1654 English Interregnum

These novel arms, already in use by parliamentarians in 1648, were adopted by the Commonwealth of England established in 1649.
1654–1655

The Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (the Protectorate) was created in 1653. St Andrew's Cross was added to the arms in 1654.
1655–1660

The Great Seal struck in 1655 displayed new Arms of the Commonwealth, including the personal arms Oliver Cromwell on a shield in the centre. Blazon: Quarterly 1 and 4 Argent a Cross Gules (England) 2 Azure a Saltire Argent (Scotland) and 3 Azure a Harp Or Stringed Argent (Ireland) on an Inescutcheon Sable a Lion Rampant Argent (Cromwell's arms). The supporters were a crowned lion of England and a red dragon of Wales. The Scottish unicorn was removed, as it was associated with the Stewart Monarchy. The motto read PAX QUÆRITUR BELLO ("peace is obtained through war").
Charles II restored the Royal Arms following the restoration after the civil wars.
1689–1694 King James II & VII is deposed and replaced with his daughter Mary and her husband, William, Prince of Orange ruling jointly as William III & II and Mary II. As King and Queen Regnant they impaled their arms: William bore the Royal Arms with an escutcheon of Nassau (the royal house to which William belonged) added (a golden lion rampant on a blue field), while Mary bore the Royal Arms undifferenced.
1694–1702 After the death of Mary II, William III reigned alone, and used his arms only.
1702–1707 Queen Anne inherited the throne upon the death of King William III & II, and the Royal Arms returned to the 1603 version.

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