Wapenschild van Engeland omgeven door wapens 1614

This is a heraldic engraving of the coat of arms of King James I, made by Jodocus Hondius around 1604. The image is a symbolic representation of power, legitimacy, and dynastic ambition, reflecting the complex political landscape of early modern Europe. The central escutcheon combines the arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, visually asserting James's claim to rule over these kingdoms. Surrounding this are the arms of other kings, meant to evoke a sense of historical continuity and emphasize James’s place within a grand historical narrative. The inclusion of the French coat of arms alludes to the long-standing claim of English monarchs to the French throne, a claim that was of course mostly symbolic at this point. To properly understand this image, it's necessary to delve into the history of heraldry as a visual language of power, the biographies of the figures represented, and the political events of the Jacobean era. Through careful study we can unpack this image's meanings, revealing its commentary on the social structures of its time.