It was the song ‘Three Lions’, written and performed by David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and The Lightning Seeds for UEFA Euro 1996, that really drew attention to the emblem worn by the England football team. Although composed for the European Championship, the song was always concerned with England and the World Cup. It took on a new lease of life during the 1998 tournament and has remained popular ever since. This is largely because its themes (hurt, hope and dreaming) are as relevant now as they were then. Love or loathe the song it is safe to say that it is going nowhere until England lift the FIFA World cup trophy. The Jules Rimet trophy mentioned in the song was permanently awarded to Brazil in 1970. England are not alone in having a badge rather than a flag on their shirts, indeed in the 2026 world cup most teams have an emblem that is not closely related to the national flag.
The story England’s lions begins in the twelfth century; King Henry I is thought to have used a single lion on his personal seal. His son-in-law, Geoffrey of Anjou adopted two lions on his shield, while Geoffrey’s son, Henry II inherited both traditions. It was Henry II’s son, Richard I (better known as Richard the Lionheart) who finally established the Royal arms that have become so familiar. By the end of the twelfth century, England’s kings were bearing three golden lions on a red shield.
Heraldically speaking, however, they are not strictly lions at all. In the language of heraldry the Royal arms are Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or. Translated into everyday English, this means a red shield (gules) bearing three gold (or) lions, arranged vertically (in pale). Each lion is shown walking with its right forepaw raised (passant) while turning its head to face the observer (guardant). The distinction is important because a lion shown rearing on its hind legs would instead be described as rampant, one of the best-known heraldic attitudes.
The three lions remained the Royal arms of England until 1340, when Edward III asserted his claim to the French throne. He quartered the English lions with the French fleurs-de-lis, creating a more elaborate Royal coat of arms. Although the Royal arms have changed several times since then, the three lions have always remained at their heart as the enduring symbol of England.
When the Football Association was founded in 1863, it naturally looked to England’s Royal and national symbolism for its badge. The FA adopted a simplified version of the Royal arms, replacing the elaborate shield with three blue lions passant guardant on a white shield. The change of colour distinguished the emblem from the Sovereign’s arms while retaining its unmistakable identity. Ten Tudor roses were later added around the shield, reinforcing the badge’s English character.
Contrary to popular belief, the three lions do not represent courage, strength and pride, nor do they symbolise England, Scotland and Wales. They are simply a direct inheritance from the medieval Royal arms of the English Crown onto which many interpretations are imposed.
More than 800 years after Richard the Lionheart popularised them, the three lions continue to unite players and supporters alike. They have become one of the world’s most enduring sporting emblems, carrying with them a remarkable blend of medieval history, Royal symbolism and national identity. Every time England takes to the field, the team does so beneath one of heraldry’s oldest and most distinguished achievements.
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