037: "The Union of Crowns and the Transformation of the Royal Arms"

Interesting Things with JC #037: "The Union of Crowns and the Transformation of the Royal Arms" - In 1603, James VI of Scotland also became James I of England, a union that dramatically altered the Royal Arms by introducing the English lion alongside the Scottish unicorn. This update symbolized the merging of Scottish and English sovereignty under a single monarch, reflecting the efforts to forge political unity and a shared national identity.

While the visual representation of the Royal Arms aimed to communicate unity, the actual political integration of the two nations faced significant challenges, leading to a complex and storied journey towards a more unified kingdom.