Brewer's: Hanoverian Shield

This escutcheon used to be added to the arms of England; it was placed in the centre of the shield to show that the House of Hanover came to the crown by election, and not by conquest. Conquerors strike out arms of a conquered country, and place their own in lieu.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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