On this day in 1165 William I, “The Lion,” was crowned at Scone. He was known as ‘The Lion’ because of his standard, a red lion rampant on a yellow background, which remains Scotland’s royal standard today.

His 50-year reign was initially marked by conflicts with Henry II of England, during which William was captured and had to pay homage to Henry in exchange for his release, and sign the humiliating Treaty of Falaise.

The Scottish subjects were taxed heavily to cover the cost of the English forces’ occupation of their country. 15 years later Richard I, seeking funds for his crusades, released Scotland from this treaty in exchange for a huge sum of money. ScotClans

The Lion on the Gold By Gordon Menzies

For most of my life I have wandered the world
Through many proud nations with flags all unfurled
But in all of my travels no prouder flag I’ve found
Than the red rampant lion on the golden ground
It’s the red rampant lion of Scotland

North by the Shetlands and south by the Tweed
It’s honoured forever in story and deed
First into battle it always could be found
The red rampant lion on the golden ground
It’s the red rampant lion of Scotland

We’ve lost men at Flodden, at Flanders and Spain
More at Culloden and El Alamein
But we’ve never been conquered and still we rally round
The red rampant lion on the golden ground
It’s the red rampant lion of Scotland

The thistle is bonnie when flowering alone
But what dart or medal she’ll cut tae the bone
And tae Scotland my darling my hairt is ever bound
By the red rampant lion on the golden ground
It’s the red rampant lion
The lion of Scotland
Of Scotland united and free

Watch: Gaberlunzie – Lion on the Gold

By cf. source (flickr Royal Standard of Scotland.svg)