sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Hidden details in the England badge revealed including the reason why there are three lions on the crest

Home> Football

Updated 12:47 8 Sep 2023 GMT+1Published 20:35 17 Jun 2023 GMT+1

Hidden details in the England badge revealed including the reason why there are three lions on the crest

The hidden details in England's badge revealed.

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

England have been wearing the iconic Three Lions badge on their shirt for more than 150 years, but do you know the reason why?

England played Scotland in the first ever international football match all the way back in 1872, with the historic game ending goalless.

England played with the Three Lions on their kit that day and it has been a symbol of the national side ever since – even becoming the subject of a famous song by Baddiel and Skinner and the Lightning Seeds.

But England were simply using the same crest that had been adopted by the Football Association when it was formed in 1863.

Advert

While England supporters will be familiar with the badge, not many are likely to know the reason why there are three lions.

Meanwhile, there is another hidden detail in the badge that most are unlikely to have spotted.

According to The Sun, each of the three lions has a different meaning.

The first represents King Henry I, who ruled the country from 1100 to his death in 1135 and was widely known as the Lion of England.

Following his coronation, the King added a lion to the Royal Arms of England.

When he got married to Adeliza of Louvain in 1121, he demanded a second lion was added to the Royal Arms to honour his father-in-law, Godfrey I, Count of Louvain.

The third lion wasn't added until 1154, when King Henry II - grandson of Henry I - married Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Henry II implemented it to honour his wife as she also had a lion on her family crest.

England supporters may have also noticed there are 10 roses included on the badge.

These Tudor roses are the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England and take their name from the House of Tudor, which united the House of Lancaster and the House of York after the War of the Roses (1455-1487).

The 10 roses were later introduced to the England badge in 1948-49 to represent the 10 divisions of Football Association members at the time.

England will wear the iconic badge on their shirts when they take on Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier at the Stadion Miejski Wroclaw in Poland on Saturday evening.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: England, Football, Euro 2024

Rory O'Callaghan
Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA.

X

@rory_ocallaghan

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

  • Trent Alexander-Arnold compared to Lionel Messi after sensational midfield showing for England
  • England fans come up with 'quality' chant for Bukayo Saka ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers
  • England vs Ukraine referee: Who are the match officials for the Euro 2024 qualifier?
  • Italy vs England singer who 'butchered' 'God Save the King' rendition breaks silence after humiliation on social media

Choose your content:

14 mins ago
an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
    14 mins ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson gave Man Utd star 'hairdryer treatment' after being caught on CCTV at nightclub

    The Manchester United manager didn't hold back once he heard what had happened.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    What happened to the 11 most valuable wonderkids in 2006

    Lionel Messi was only the fifth most valuable wonderkid in 2006, with Wayne Rooney topping the list.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Real Madrid sensationally accuse Barcelona of 'sports corruption' in leaked letter

    The Negreira case is an ongoing investigation that continues to make headlines.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    White House issues statement on Trump’s stance over Iran’s World Cup participation

    Trump has previously advised against Iranian players taking part for their own safety.

    Football