In their Colours, the Guards reverse the arrangement that obtains with the Regiments of the Line. With them, the _Kings Colour_ is always crimson, with or without a Jack, but charged with the Royal Cypher and the regimental Devices: the _Regimental Colour_ of the Guards is the Union Jack. 3. The _Royal Artillery_ have no Colours or Standards. Military Flags are not now used in actual warfare by British troops. I conclude this Chapter, which treats briefly of the Heraldry of the most important English Flags, with four still more brief general remarks:-- 1. First: by all English people who are disposed to exclaim, making SHAKESPEARE’S words their own, “_Prosper our Colours!_” it ought to be understood that their National Flags are endowed with heraldic, that is, with historical significance, recorded after an heraldic fashion. 2. Second: this significance of their Flags ought also to be understood, that it may be appreciated, by all true English people. 3. Third: our Flags ought always to be made and represented correctly. And 4. Lastly: our Flags, and all other Flags also, ought always to be hoisted and displayed rightly and properly. CHAPTER XVIII THE ROYAL HERALDRY OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND _Shields of Arms of the Reigning Sovereigns of England; of Scotland; of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland-- Crests-- Supporters-- Mottoes-- Crowns-- Banners-- Armorial Insignia of the late Prince Consort; of the Prince and Princess of Wales; of the other Princes and Princesses._ “On his Banner were three Leopards, courant, of fine gold, set on red: fierce were they, haughty and cruel, to signify that, like them, the KING is dreadful to his enemies; for his bite is slight to none who inflame his anger: and yet, towards such as seek his friendship or submit to his power his kindness is soon rekindled.” --ROLL OF CARLAVEROCK. “With Scotland’s Arms, Device and Crest Embroidered round and round.” --MARMION. How the “three Leopards courant” of the shrewd chronicler of Carlaverock are identical with the “three Lions passant guardant” of the Royal Shield of England I have already shown (see page 84). To the Norman Sovereigns of England, WILLIAM I., WILLIAM II., HENRY I., and STEPHEN (A.D. 1066-1154), the same Shield of Arms has been assigned--_Gu., two lions pass. guard., in pale, or_, No. 22. It must be distinctly understood, however, that there exists no certain authority for these Arms. In like manner, STEPHEN is also _said_ to have borne on a red Shield three golden _Sagittaries_, or Centaurs, with bows and arrows. And, again, HENRY II. is _considered_ to have added a third lion to the two on the Shield of his father, a _single golden lion passant guardant on red_ being (also considered to be) the armorial ensign of the province of Aquitaine, acquired by HENRY in right of his Consort, ALIANORE.