1406: "The British Lion"

HistoryPodcastNews
Written By JC

Interesting Things with JC #1406: "The British Lion" – For nine centuries the lion has guarded Britain’s throne, its battlefields, and its imagination. From Richard the Lionheart to Trafalgar Square, this golden beast still roars as the nation’s symbol.

Curriculum - Episode Anchor

Episode Title: Interesting Things with JC #1406: “The British Lion”

Episode Number: 1406

Host: JC

Audience: Grades 9–12, college intro, homeschool, lifelong learners

Subject Area: History, Cultural Studies, Media Literacy

Lesson Overview

Learning Objectives:

  • Define heraldry and its role in medieval symbolism.

  • Compare the use of the lion in British iconography with other national animals, such as the American eagle.

  • Analyze the historical and cultural significance of the British lion across different centuries.

  • Explain how symbols such as the lion reflect political, religious, and social values.

Key Vocabulary

  • Heraldry (ˈher-əl-drē) — The system of symbols and designs used in coats of arms; Richard I used heraldry to place three golden lions on his shield.

  • Passant Guardant (pa-ˈsänt gär-dnt) — A heraldic pose where an animal walks forward with its head facing the viewer; the style of England’s three lions.

  • Coat of Arms (ˈkōt əv ärmz) — A unique heraldic design representing a family, nation, or institution; the British coat of arms includes a lion and a unicorn.

  • Bestiary (ˈbes-chē-ˌer-ē) — A medieval book describing animals, often with symbolic or moral interpretations; lions were described as symbols of resurrection.

  • Iconography (ī-ˌkä-ˈnä-grə-fē) — The use of images or symbols to represent concepts; the lion became shorthand for British strength and power.

Narrative Core

  • Open — The lion is commonly associated with Africa, but in Britain it has symbolized the nation for nearly a thousand years.

  • Info — The story begins in 1189 with King Richard I, who placed three golden lions on his shield to symbolize courage and nobility.

  • Details — Over centuries, the lion became Britain’s national emblem, appearing in coats of arms, political cartoons, war propaganda, and monuments like Trafalgar Square’s bronze lions.

  • Reflection — The lion has symbolized strength, divine authority, and national pride, continuing to resonate in modern culture, from military medals to football jerseys.

  • Closing — These are interesting things, with JC.

A golden lion with a full mane stands in front of a large Union Jack flag. Bold white and red text at the bottom reads: “Interesting Things with JC #1406 – The British Lion.”

Transcript

When you see a lion today, you probably think of Africa or maybe a zoo. But in Britain, the lion has been more than an animal—it’s been the nation’s symbol for nearly a thousand years.

It began in 1189 with King Richard I, remembered as Richard the Lionheart. He placed three golden lions on a red shield, each drawn in the heraldic style called passant guardant—walking forward, heads turned toward the viewer. Heraldry gave animals meaning, and the lion stood for courage, strength, and nobility. That same design still anchors England’s coat of arms, carved into cathedrals, struck on coins, and stitched onto football jerseys.

Over time, the lion came to stand for Britain itself, much as the eagle does for the United States. In the 18th and 19th centuries, political cartoons labeled “The British Lion” appeared everywhere—roaring during wars, crouched in vigilance, or summoning colonies to fight in World War I. The image was shorthand for power and watchfulness.

The monarchy leaned on it as well. On the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, the English lion stands on the left, the Scottish unicorn on the right. The pairing tells a story: the lion for strength and courage, the unicorn for Scotland’s fierce independence, said to be subdued only by a crown.

The lion also carried sacred weight. Medieval Christians called Christ the Lion of Judah. Bestiaries claimed lion cubs were born dead and revived by their father’s roar on the third day, a symbol of resurrection. That belief made the lion a natural emblem for kings ruling by divine right.

By the 19th century, lions marked regimental badges and naval ensigns, spreading across the empire. In 1856, Britain’s highest military award, the Victoria Cross, was introduced—its design crowned by a lion. A decade later, in 1867, four massive bronze lions were placed at Trafalgar Square in London, where they still guard the base of Nelson’s Column. For anyone passing through, those silent sentinels make the symbol unmissable.

For nine centuries, from shields to medals, from war posters to football fields, the British lion has never left. Bold, golden, and enduring—it remains Britain’s guardian, its roar still carrying across history.

These are interesting things, with JC.

Student Worksheet

  1. What heraldic design did Richard the Lionheart introduce in 1189, and what did it symbolize?

  2. How is the British lion similar to the American eagle as a national symbol?

  3. Why were lions placed at Trafalgar Square in 1867, and what do they represent?

  4. How did medieval bestiaries connect lions to Christian beliefs?

  5. Create a short political cartoon sketch where the British lion is used to symbolize a modern issue.

Teacher Guide

  • Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes

  • Pre-Teaching Vocabulary Strategy: Use images of heraldic lions, political cartoons, and the Victoria Cross medal to introduce terms visually.

  • Anticipated Misconceptions: Students may think lions lived in Britain; clarify their symbolic role. Some may confuse heraldic art with naturalistic depictions.

  • Discussion Prompts:

    • Why do nations use animals as symbols?

    • How can a symbol carry different meanings across time?

    • What does the lion’s persistence in British identity tell us about tradition?

  • Differentiation Strategies:

    • ESL: Provide bilingual glossaries and visual aids.

    • IEP: Break content into visual timelines of the lion’s use.

    • Gifted: Research other heraldic animals and compare their symbolism.

  • Extension Activities:

    • Visit a virtual tour of Trafalgar Square or the British Museum’s heraldry collection.

    • Analyze U.S. political cartoons featuring the American eagle.

  • Cross-Curricular Connections:

    • Art — Study heraldry and medieval artistic conventions.

    • Religious Studies — Explore the symbolism of the Lion of Judah.

    • History — Examine British imperial propaganda during World War I.

Quiz

  1. Richard the Lionheart’s lions were drawn in which heraldic pose?
    A. Rampant
    B. Passant Guardant
    C. Sejant
    D. Dormant
    Answer: B

  2. What animal is paired with the lion on the UK’s royal coat of arms?
    A. Dragon
    B. Griffin
    C. Unicorn
    D. Stag
    Answer: C

  3. What year were the lions placed at Trafalgar Square?
    A. 1189
    B. 1856
    C. 1867
    D. 1914
    Answer: C

  4. What does the lion symbolize in medieval Christian bestiaries?
    A. Trickery
    B. Resurrection
    C. Wealth
    D. Wisdom
    Answer: B

  5. Which military honor introduced in 1856 features a lion in its design?
    A. Knight’s Cross
    B. Medal of Honor
    C. Victoria Cross
    D. George Medal
    Answer: C

Assessment

Open-Ended Questions:

  1. How has the image of the British lion shifted in meaning from medieval times to the modern day?

  2. Compare the British lion to another national animal (e.g., American eagle, Russian bear). What do these choices say about each nation’s identity?

3–2–1 Rubric

  • 3 = Accurate, complete, thoughtful analysis with examples.

  • 2 = Partial response with limited detail.

  • 1 = Inaccurate, vague, or missing key points.

Standards Alignment

U.S. Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 — Students determine central ideas in historical texts by analyzing the British lion as a symbol over time.

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2 — Students write informative texts, such as analyses of heraldry and symbolism.

  • C3.D2.His.1.9-12 — Students evaluate historical events and symbolic traditions, such as the lion’s role in national identity.

  • NCAS.VA:Re7.2.I — Students interpret the meaning of works of art, such as heraldic shields or Trafalgar Square’s sculptures.

UK/International Equivalents

  • AQA History GCSE (1A/B Themes) — Understanding nationhood and identity through historical symbols.

  • IB DP History (HL/SL) — Analyzing symbolism in political and cultural contexts.

  • Cambridge IGCSE History (0470) — Exploring use of imagery and propaganda in national narratives.

Show Notes

This episode of Interesting Things with JC explores the enduring legacy of the British lion, a symbol that has represented strength, courage, and national identity for over nine centuries. From Richard the Lionheart’s heraldry in 1189 to the bronze guardians of Trafalgar Square, the lion has appeared in coats of arms, religious texts, military medals, and political cartoons. Its symbolic role evolved from medieval notions of divine kingship to modern expressions of patriotism and cultural pride. In the classroom, this episode provides a powerful lens for discussing how symbols shape identity, communicate values, and endure across history.

References

JC https://jimconnors.org
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