The famous three lions on the England national football team’s crest has a long and interesting history that goes back nearly 1,000 years. This story starts with King Henry I, the fourth son of William the Conqueror.
When Henry I became King of England in 1100, he used a single lion on his coat of arms. At that time, the lion was already a symbol of England and showed the king’s power and authority.
Henry I’s story with the lions took a new turn in 1121 when he married his second wife, Adeliza of Louvain. Her family also had a lion on their crest. To honor her, Henry I added a second lion to his own coat of arms.
The third lion appeared in 1154 when Henry I’s grandson, Henry II, became king. Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose family also used a lion in their crest. To unite their families’ symbols, Henry II added Eleanor’s lion, creating the three-lion design we know today.
These three lions became a lasting symbol of the English monarchy. They were proudly displayed on the royal standard and later adopted by the Football Association as the emblem of the national football team. The three lions have remained a source of national pride and have inspired the famous football song “Three Lions,” which has motivated England fans for years.
Even the smaller details of the England crest have historical meaning. In 1948-49, ten Tudor roses were added around the lions to represent the ten divisions of the Football Association at that time. Every part of this design is filled with the rich history of England.
When the England football team plays, the three lions on their shirts remind us of this long and proud history. From medieval kings to modern football matches, the three lions connect the past with the present, continuing to inspire and captivate people.
