The Lion Rampant: Rab McNeil's Scottish Icons & More News Here

As a few of you would possibly know, the beast beneath advisement is “a lion rampant Gules armed and langued Azure within a double tressure flory counter-flory of the second”.

That’s the way it’s described within the Gormenghastian world of heraldry. In the Queen’s English, it’s a purple lion, with blue tongue and claws, standing inside a purple double-border on a yellow or gold background embellished with opposing floral symbols.

As for the “Rampant” of the frequent appellation, on the face of it, this makes the beast sound a bit psychological or, no less than, gallus: “Ah’m gonnae smash up a shop!” In actuality, with its tongue sticking oot and a deranged eye, it appears considerably distressed, as if it had simply swallowed some vindaloo. Its entrance paws are stretched ahead because it shouts: “Geez a lager – quick!”

“Rampant” simply means it’s upright, standing on its hind legs. The flag’s Sunday identify, or one of many shorter ones, is the Royal Banner of Scotland and, in contrast to the Saltire, by custom it could possibly solely be utilized by the Monarch for, proper sufficient, it first appeared on their paraphernalia somewhat than on the tattooed arms of early medieval punters.

The earliest recorded use was on the reverse aspect of the Great Seal utilized by Alexander the Second (dominated 1214-49), the place the king is depicted on horseback, with an upright lion image on his saddle and defend.

However, it’s thought, for causes I by no means ascertained throughout a number of in depth minutes of analysis, to have first been used in the course of the reign of Malcolm III (1058–1093). Was it on his beer mats? His pants? Who is aware of?

It’s additionally thought to have featured on Robert the Bruce’s surcoat (the free gown worn over armour) when he blootered yon English upstarts at Bannockburn in 1314.

After the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the Royal Banner was integrated into the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, showing in each the primary and fourth quarters when utilized in Scotland, however solely within the second elsewhere (when England’s three lions take the 2 spots; Ireland’s harp, bizarrely sufficient, remains to be in there whereas the Welsh, as normal, get nothing).

Some nutcase stated earlier that the Lion Rampant can solely be flown by the monarch however, by the byzantine traditions of heraldry, that isn’t strictly talking true.

Several “Great Officers of State”, official representatives of the monarchy in Scotland, are permitted to hoist it aloft. Doubtless, like me, you might be pondering: ‘Well, who are they ba’heids?’

Turns out one is the First Minister, whoever he’s, but additionally the Lord Lieutenants of their varied fiefdoms, the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Etc, the Lord Lyon King of Arms – yep, the Lyon King – and another lieutenant specifically appointed by the monarch.

Are you in there? Naw, didn’t suppose so. The Lyon King is kind of specific about these restrictions: “This is not a national flag and its use by citizens and corporate bodies is entirely wrong.” To which the nation replies: “Shut up, you.”

Restrictions have been even tighter earlier than 1934 when George V issued a royal warrant permitting the peasantry to wave hand-held flags for “decorative ebullition” – ebullition, aye – throughout Silver Jubilee celebrations the next 12 months. That warrant nonetheless holds for giant state events, such because the opening of the Scottish Parliament, and considerably extra anarchically at sporting occasions such because the footer and rugger, although George Five by no means specified this on the time, spectators at sport again then being much less demonstrative.

It says right here that Glasgow Rangers – ha-ha, the irony – as soon as bought into bother for non-authorised use of the banner, as did Dundee United (who’ve a black Lion Rampant on their shirt badge). Apparently, the SNP have been additionally admonished as soon as. Ha-ha, the irony.

In 1978, a linen service provider in yonder St Albans was fined £100 each day – till he desisted – from bunging the banner on ornamental bedspreads.

How frequent! But, because the banner continues to function on quite a lot of tourism business tat, software of the regulation – truly an Act of the Scottish Parliament dated 1672 – appears considerably arbitrary. But, once more, I believe the gist is you’re normally protected on objects and wee hand-held efforts. Fly one aloft and also you would possibly get your collar felt.

Even Scottish Field, in 2016, listed this beneath “10 ridiculous Scottish laws that you won’t believe”.

As for the monarch, opposite to widespread perception, the Lion Rampant is just flown above the royal residences at Holyrood and Balmoral when she ISN’T in. Saves having to attempt the doorbell, I suppose. When she is at dwelling, it’s the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom that’s flown.

Back down the arcane rabbit gap of heraldry, it should go with out saying – although it doesn’t – that the lion ought to “respect” (face) the flagpole, in any other case it could appear like it was doing a runner. In the previous days, it could have confronted thus – left, so to say – when on a defend worn on the left arm.

You would possibly marvel too: why a lion? Well, they have been all the craze again within the day when monarchs have been extra militantly navy and wished to indicate they have been proper fierce, ken?

Maybe, immediately, we should always devise a People’s Standard of Scotland, one thing a bit much less aggressive , perhaps with a wee budgie on it. Or a deer (although everybody’s wanting them shot these days). Or an otter. A gray seal? No eagles: they’re nicely dodgy. What d’you suppose? Let’s run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.

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