Arms and Flags of Great Britain

C.W. Jefferys' notes about this picture from The Picture Gallery of Canadian History Volume 1

The British kings from George I to William IV were also rulers of Hanover, and consequently the arms of that country were carried on the British shield until the accession of Queen Victoria. According to its laws no woman could reign over Hanover, which therefore became a separate kingdom in 1837, under the rule of her uncle, the Duke of Cumberland.

Observe that until 1802 the arms of Great Britain bore also the fleur-de-lis, symbolizing the old claim of the English kings to the throne of France. To indicate in a black and white engraving the colours of flags and coats of arms, it is usual to make horizontal lines to represent blue, vertical lines for red, and small dots for gold or yellow.