Why does England have three lions on their national team shirts?

Answer 1

It was actually 3 puss.ies (in line with Beckham's image), but the FA felt that lions were more macho.

Answer 2

The three lions was used on the very first England football shirt in 1872, although at that point it had a crown above the three lions, which was removed around 1949, the symbol was chosen as it was a national symbol with heraldic origins.

Those heraldic origins are open for debate, there are those who claim that the golden lion on the red field was first used by the English monarchy by Henry I (1100-1135) who was known as the 'Lion of Justice' and that the additional lions were added to represent his marriage to the daughter of Godfrey of Louvaine, whose seal had a lion. The third was in theory added to represent the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II.

There are others who say that when King Richard I ("The Lionheart") came to the throne he adopted his personal arms as three golden lions on a red field. The origin of these arms is thought to be based on the earlier Norman arms. That is to say the arms of the Normans, or more specifically William I (William the Conqueror) whose coat of arms was two golden lions on a red field. The third lion was added to represent the acquisition of Aquitaine, a continental territory owned by the English Crown.

Neither of these versions can in fact be proved, and after some further digging I have traced the three lions back even further in history. The Duchy of Normandy, home of William the Conquerer, stems from the Danish invasions of France in the 8th century. It was created by the treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in 911 out of concessions made by King Charles, and granted to Rollo, leader of the Vikings known as Northmen (or in Latin Normanni).

The National Coat of Arms of Denmark also has three lions on it, although they are blue, so the lions of Normandy and later possibly England may all have derived from the Danish coat of arms, originating in the middle ages.

Answer 3

Found this on the web:

"This "three-lions-on-a-shirt" badge dates from the late XIXth Century English team international caps. Those caps, awarded to football players on becoming 'international', where at first intended to have been white (of white silk, indeed) with a red rose embroidered in the front (plain white jersey and trunks were the English team uniform up to the 1970s). Nonetheless, the original caps were made out of navy blue velvet with a red rose, which was subsequently substituted by King Richard's three lions."

Muse

Answer 4

Way back in time Richard the lion heart wore the 3 lions on his chest, as he went in to battle. Hence the reason why this country England have 3 lions as there trade mark.

Answer 5

Actually, you are looking at the England shirt played during the World Cup qualifiers. The answers are all right. England are allowed to wear the star since they have won the cup once. But they cannot wear the star always. After the world Cup, when England take part in the next Euro qualifiers, they have to do away with the star since they have not won the Euro championship before. The star only represents the present tournament they are playing in. They, nor any other country, do not have the right to wear the star permanently.

Answer 6

Comes from the 1966 World Cup

Answer 7

Actually, i dont know why there are lions on the england team logo but there are really four lions. You cant see the fourth one because its behind the middle one.

Answer 8

I think they prescribe the mascot of this year, 2006.
And 3 means lucky for them.
Also, lions ve great strength, regarded as king of the forest..I think so.

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

It comes from the royal standard, which is part of the Queens flag.