The Great Seal

First Great Seal of James I (catalogue ref: SC13/N4).

The seal depicts a change in the royal arms on the shield. The royal arms for the first time contain the arms of Scotland and Ireland and there is a change to the legend on the seal which tells of the union with Scotland, England and Ireland under one King, and the end of the ancient feuds between England and Scotland. The banner of Edward the Confessor is also included to remind people of the King’s sovereignty over the ancient people and their Saxon kings who had ruled before in England and Wales. This seal was used from 1603-1605, then the canopy over the King’s head was redesigned.

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