_Royal Supporters_ (Vol. ii., p. 136.).--E.C. asks when and why the
unicorn was introduced as one of the royal supporters. It was introduced
by James VI. of Scotland when he ascended the throne of England, on
account of the Scottish royal supporters being two unicorns rampant
argent, crowned with imperial, and gorged with antique, crowns, with
chains affixed to the latter passing between their forelegs and reflexed
over their backs, unguled, armed, and crined, all or; the dexter one
embracing and bearing up a banner of gold charged with the royal arms;
the sinister, another banner azure, charged with the cross of St.
Andrew, argent. Queen Elizabeth had used as supporters, dexter, a lion
rampant gardant, crowned; and sinister, a dragon rampant, both or. She
also used a lion ramp. gardant crowned, and a greyhound, both or. James
adopted as supporters, dexter, a lion ramp. gardant, {222} crowned with
the imperial crown, or; sinister, an unicorn argent, armed, crined,
unguled, gorged with a coronet composed of crosses patées, and
fleurs-de-lis, a chain affixed thereto passing between its forelegs, and
reflexed over the back, all or. These have been used as the royal
supporters ever since their first adoption, with but one exception, and
that is in the seal of the Exchequer, time of Charles I., where the
supporters are an antelope and stag, both ducally collared and chained.