Order of the Thistle
Information about Order of the Thistle
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Banners of Knights of the Thistle, hanging in St Giles High Kirk
The Order's primary emblem is the thistle, the national flower of Scotland. The motto is Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for "No one provokes me with impunity");[1] the same motto also appears on the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom for use in Scotland and on some pound coins. The patron saint of the Order is St Andrew.
Most British orders of chivalry cover the entire kingdom, but the three most exalted ones each pertain to one constituent country only. The Order of the Thistle, which pertains to Scotland, is the second-most senior in precedence. Its equivalent in England, The Most Noble Order of the Garter, is the oldest documented order of chivalry in the United Kingdom, dating to the middle fourteenth century. In 1783 an Irish equivalent, The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick, was founded; since the independence of the greater part of Ireland the Order has fallen dormant (its last surviving knight died in 1974).
History
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James VII ordained the modern Order
The original date of the Order's foundation is unknown. According to legend, Achaius, King of Scots (possibly coming to the aid of Óengus mac Fergusa (Angus), King of the Picts), while engaged in battle at Athelstaneford with the Saxon King Aethelstan of East Anglia, saw in the heavens the cross of St Andrew.[2] After he won the battle, Achaius is said to have established the Order of the Thistle, dedicating it to the saint, in 787.[3] The tale is not credible, not because of the unlikeliness of the miracle, but also because the two individuals purported to have fought each other did not even reign during the same century.[4] Another story states that Achaius founded the Order in 809 to commemorate an alliance with the Emperor Charlemagne, which is a little less implausible given the Scottish bodyguards employed by Charlemagne.[5] There is, in addition, a tradition that it was instituted, or re-instituted, on the battlefield by Robert I at Bannockburn.[6] Many credit James III, who adopted the thistle as the royal plant badge and issued coins depicting thistles,[7] with founding the Order during the fifteenth century.[8] Others state that James V, who had been admitted to the Order of the Golden Fleece in the Holy Roman Empire the Order of St Michael in France, and the Order of the Garter in England established the Order of the Thistle in 1540 because he was embarrassed that he had no honour to confer on foreign monarchs. He allegedly conferred membership of the "Order of the Burr or Thissil" on Francis I, King of France.[9]
Some Scottish order of chivalry probably existed during the sixteenth century, but had lapsed by its conclusion.[10] James VII issued letters patent "reviving and restoring the Order of the Thistle to its full glory, lustre and magnificency" in 1687.[11] Eight knights, out of a maximum of twelve, were appointed, but the King was deposed in 1688.[12] His successors, the joint monarchs William and Mary, did not make any further appointments to the Order, which consequently fell into . In 1703, however, Anne once again revived the Order of the Thistle, which survives to this day.[13]
Composition
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Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex in the robes of a Knight of the Order of the Thistle
From time to time, individuals may be admitted to the Order by special statutes. Such members are known as "Extra Knights" and do not count towards the sixteen-member limit.[19] Members of the British Royal Family are normally admitted through this procedure; the first to be so admitted was Prince Albert.[20] Olav V, King of Norway, the first foreigner to be admitted to the Order, was also admitted by special statute in 1962.[21]
The Sovereign has historically had the power to choose Knights of the Order. From the eighteenth century onwards, the Sovereign made his or her choices upon the advice of the Government. George VI felt that the Orders of the Garter and the Thistle had been used only for political patronage, rather than to reward actual merit. Therefore, with the agreement of the Prime Minister (Clement Attlee) and the Leader of the Opposition (Winston Churchill) in 1946, both Orders returned to the personal gift of the Sovereign.[22]
Knights and Ladies of the Thistle may also be admitted to the Order of the Garter. Formerly, many, but not all, Knights elevated to the senior Order would resign from the Order of the Thistle.[23] The first to resign from the Order of the Thistle was John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll in 1710;[24] the last to take such an action was Thomas Dundas, 2nd Earl of Zetland in 1872.[25] Knights and Ladies of the Thistle may also be deprived of their knighthoods. The only individual to have suffered such a fate was John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar who lost both the knighthood and the earldom after participating in the Jacobite rising of 1715.[26]
The Order has five officers: the Dean, the Chancellor, the Usher, the King of Arms and the Secretary. The Dean is normally a cleric of the Church of Scotland. This office was not part of the original establishment, but was created in 1763 and joined to the office of Dean of the Chapel Royal.[27] The two offices were separated in 1969.[28] The office of Chancellor is mentioned and given custody of the seal of the Order in the 1687 statutes, but no-one was appointed to the position until 1913.[29] The office has subsequently been held by one of the knights, though not necessarily the most senior. The Usher of the Order is the Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod (unlike his Garter equivalent, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, he does not have another function assisting the House of Lords).[30] The Lord Lyon King of Arms, head of the Scottish heraldic establishment and whose office predates his association with the Order serves as King of Arms of the Order.[31] The Lord Lyon often—but not invariably—also serves as the Secretary.
Vestments and accoutrements
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The insignia of a Knight of The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle
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For the Order's great occasions, such as its annual service each June or July, as well for coronations, the Knights and Ladies wear an elaborate costume:
- The mantle is a green robe worn over their suits or military uniforms. The mantle is lined with white taffeta; it is tied with green and gold tassels. On the left shoulder of the mantle, the star of the Order (see below) is depicted.[32]
- The hat is made of black velvet and is plumed with white feathers with a black egret or heron's top in the middle.[32]
- The collar is made of gold and depicts thistles and sprigs of rue. It is worn over the mantle.[32]
- The St Andrew, also called the badge-appendant, is worn suspended from the collar. It comprises a gold enamelled depiction of St Andrew, wearing a green gown and purple coat, holding a white saltire.[32] Gold rays of a glory are shown emanating from St Andrew's head.[33]
- The star of the Order consists of a silver St Andrew's saltire, with clusters of rays between the arms thereof. In the centre is depicted a green circle bearing the motto of the Order in gold majuscules; within the circle, there is depicted a thistle on a gold field. It is worn pinned to the left breast.[34] (Since the Order of the Thistle is the second-most senior chivalric order in the UK, a member will wear its star above that of other orders to which he or she belongs, except that of the Order of the Garter; up to four orders' stars may be worn.)[35]
- The broad riband is a dark green sash worn across the body, from the left shoulder to the right hip.[36]
- At the right hip of the Riband, the badge of the Order is attached. The badge depicts St Andrew in the same form as the star surrounded by the Order's motto.[37]
Upon the death of a Knight or Lady, the insignia must be returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. The badge and star are returned personally to the Sovereign by the nearest relative of the deceased.[40]
Officers of the Order also wear green robes.[41] The Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod also bears, as the title of his office suggests, a green rod.[42]
Chapel
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Swords, helms and crests of Knights of the Thistle above their stalls in the Thistle Chapel. Lady Marion Fraser's helm and crest are second from the left
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Stall plates of Knights of the Thistle
Each member of the Order, including the Sovereign, is allotted a stall in the Chapel, above which his or her heraldic devices are displayed. Perched on the pinnacle of a knight's stall is his helm, decorated with mantling and topped by his crest. If he is a peer the coronet appropriate to his rank is placed beneath the helm.[44] Under the laws of heraldry, women other than monarchs do not normally bear helms nor crests;[45] instead, the coronet alone is used (if she is a peeress or princess).[46] Lady Marion Fraser somewhat unusually had a helm and crest included when she was granted arms; these are displayed above her stall in the same manner as for the male Knights.[47] Unlike other British Orders, the armorial banners of Knights and Ladies of the Thistle are not hung in the chapel, but instead in an adjacent part of St Giles High Kirk.[48] The Thistle Chapel does, however, bear the arms of members living and deceased on stall plates. These enamelled plates are affixed to the back of the stall and display its occupant's name, arms, and date of admission into the Order.[49]
Upon the death of a Knight, helm, mantling, crest (or coronet or crown) and sword are taken down. The stall plates, however, are not removed; rather, they remain permanently affixed to the back of the stall, so that the stalls of the chapel are festooned with a colourful record of the Order's Knights (and now Ladies) since 1911.[50]
Precedence and privileges
Knights and Ladies of the Thistle are assigned positions in the order of precedence, ranking above all others of knightly rank, and above baronets. Wives, sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights of the Thistle also feature on the order of precedence; relatives of Ladies of the Thistle, however, are not assigned any special precedence. (Generally, individuals can derive precedence from their fathers or husbands, but not from their mothers or wives.)[51]Knights of the Thistle prefix "Sir," and Ladies prefix "Lady," to their forenames. Wives of Knights may prefix "Lady" to their surnames, but no equivalent privilege exists for husbands of Ladies. Such forms are not used by peers and princes, except when the names of the former are written out in their fullest forms.[52]
Knights and Ladies use the post-nominal letters "KT" and "LT," respectively.[8] When an individual is entitled to use multiple post-nominal letters, "KT" or "LT" appears before all others, except "Bt" or "Btss" (Baronet or Baronetess), "VC" (Victoria Cross), "GC" (George Cross) and "KG" or "LG" (Knight or Lady of the Garter).[35]
Knights and Ladies may encircle their arms with the circlet (a green circle bearing the Order's motto) and the collar of the Order; the former is shown either outside or on top of the latter. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar.[53] The Royal Arms depict the collar and motto of the Order of the Thistle only in Scotland; they show the circlet and motto of the Garter in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.[54]
Knights and Ladies are also entitled to receive heraldic supporters. This high privilege is only shared by members of the Royal Family, peers, Knights and Ladies of the Garter, and Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights Grand Commanders of the junior orders.[55]
Current members and officers
Sovereign
Knights and Ladies Companion
- The Right Honourable The Earl of Wemyss and March KT DL (1966)
- The Right Honourable The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine KT CD DL (1981)
- The Right Honourable The Lord Thomson of Monifieth KT PC DL (1981)
- The Right Honourable The Earl of Airlie KT GCVO PC (1985)
- The Right Honourable The Viscount of Arbuthnott KT CBE DSC (1996)
- The Right Honourable The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres KT GCVO PC (1996)
- Lady Marion Fraser LT (1996)
- The Right Honourable The Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden KT DL (1996)
- The Right Honourable The Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT PC (1997)
- The Right Honourable The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG (2000)
- The Right Honourable The Lord Sutherland of Houndwood KT (2002)
- Sir Eric Anderson KT (2002)
- The Right Honourable The Lord Steel of Aikwood KT KBE PC (2004)
- The Right Honourable The Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG PC (2004)
Supernumerary Knights and Ladies
- HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG KT OM GBE AC QSO PC (1952)
- HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay KG KT GCB OM AK QSO PC ADC (1977)
- HRH The Princess Royal LG LT GCVO QSO (2000)
Officers
- Dean: The Very Reverend Gilleasbuig Iain MacMillan CVO
- Chancellor: vacant
- Usher: Rear Admiral Christopher Hope Layman CB DSO LVO (Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod)
- King of Arms and Secretary: Robin Orr Blair LVO WS (Lord Lyon King of Arms)
See also
- List of Knights and Ladies of the Thistle (1687–present)
- List of people who have declined a British honour
Notes
1. ^ 1687 Statutes, quoted in Statutes (1987), p6
2. ^ Nicolas, p4
3. ^ This version of the foundation, although without the date, is given in the warrant 'reviving' the Order in 1687. (1687 warrant, quoted in Statutes, 1978, p1)
4. ^ Nicholas, p4, footnote 1, notes that Achaius died more than a century before Aethelstan
5. ^ Nicolas, Appendix, p.vi, quotes Nisbet's A system of heraldry, which relates this version.
6. ^ Mackey and Heywood, p890
7. ^ Nicolas, p3
8. ^ The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Honours: The Order of the Thistle. The Royal Household. Retrieved on 18 February, 2007.
9. ^ Nicolas, footnote7, p15, quotes Nisbet in support of these claims.
10. ^ Nicolas quotes Ashmole's Treatise on Military Orders (1672) which mentions a ceremony involving Knights of St Andrew (i.e. Knights of the Thistle), but Nicolas goes on to say that it was not pretended that there were any "Knights of the Thistle" or "of St Andrew" after the accession of James VI in 1567
11. ^ 1687 Warrant, quoted in Statutes (1978), p1
12. ^ Nicolas, pp25–26
13. ^ 1703 warrant, quoted in Statutes (1978) pp11–12
14. ^ 1687 Warrant, quoted in Statutes (1978), p2 states revive the said Order, of which his Majesty is the undoubted and rightful Sovereign
15. ^ 1687 Warrant and 1687 Statutes, quoted in Statutes (1987) pp.1–3
16. ^ Warrant of 8 May 1827, quoted in Statutes (1978)
17. ^ Members of the Order had to be Knights Bachelor before appointment (1703 Statutes, article 14, quoted in Statutes (1978), p17); only men could be created as such.
18. ^ Additional statute, 12 June 1937, quoted in Statutes (1978), p60
19. ^ Many such statutes are quoted in Statutes (1978), all of which follow a fixed formula.
20. ^ Additional statute 17 January 1842, quoted in Statutes (1978), p33. The first Royal Knight (other than a monarch) was a younger son of George III, HRH The Prince William Henry (later William IV), however he was admitted as one of the twelve ordinary knights (Nicolas, p51).
21. ^ Additional statute of 18 October 1962, quoted in Statutes (1978), p63
22. ^ The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Honours: The Order of the Garter. The Royal Household. Retrieved on 18 February, 2007.
23. ^ Nicolas, p33, says that the Duke of Hamilton was given special permission by Queen Anne, hitherto unprecedented, to belong to both the Orders of the Thistle and Garter.
24. ^ Nicolas, p32
25. ^ The Times, 30 November 1872, p9
26. ^ Nicolas, p35. Unlike the other British orders, the statutes of the Order of the Thistle do not specify a procedure for the removal of a Knight.
27. ^ Warrant of 7 January 1763, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp28–29
28. ^ London Gazette of 22 July 1969
29. ^ Statute of 8 October 1913, quoted in Statutes (1978), p49
30. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 13, quoted in Statutes (1978), p17, refer to the office only as the Usher, and does not specify the colour of his baton of office, however by the time of a statute of 17 July 1717 he is referred to as Green Rod.
31. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 11, quoted in Statutes (1978), p17 does not assign any duties to Lord Lyon, but merely prescribes his vestments and insignia.
32. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 2, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp15–16
33. ^ Statute of 17 February 1714/15, quoted in Statutes (1978), p20
34. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 5, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp15–16
35. ^ Order of Wear. Ceremonial Secretariat, Cabinet Office (2006-11-13). Retrieved on 20 February 2007.
36. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 3, quoted in Statutes (1978), p15. In the 1687 statues the riband was purple-blue; the colour was changed by Queen Anne when she refounded the Order.
37. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 3, quoted in Statutes (1978), p15 refers to this item of insignia as the medal.
38. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 7, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp16
39. ^ Royal Insight: Mailbox. The Royal Household (2007-02). Retrieved on 20 February 2007.
40. ^ Debrett's Peerage, p82
41. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 11 (Secretary), article 12 (Lord Lyon), article 13 (Usher); Special statute of 10 July 1886 (Dean), Statute of 8 October 1913 (Chancellor), all quoted in Statutes (1978), pp15–16, 42 and 49–50
42. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 13, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp15–16, says only that he carries his "baton of office"
43. ^ Burnett and Hodgson, pp6–7. The 1703 statutes however continue to designate this as the chapel of the Order
44. ^ Paul, pp32–33
45. ^ Innes, p35
46. ^ Cox, N. (1999). "The Coronets of Members of the Royal Family and of the Peerage (The Double Tressure)". Journal of The Heraldry Society of Scotland (22): 8–13.
47. ^ Burnett and Hodgson, p208
48. ^ Innes, p42
49. ^ Burnett and Hodgson, pp7–8, and illustrations on pp54 ff. Only stall plates for Knights and Ladies appointed after 1911 give the name and date of appointment.
50. ^ Burnett and Hodgson
51. ^ The Scale of General Precedence in Scotland. Burke's Peerage. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
52. ^ Charles Mosley (2003-07). Forms of Address for use orally and in correpondence. Department for Constitutional Affairs. Retrieved on 25 February, 2007.
53. ^ Innes, p47. The circlet does not appear to be commonly used. Neither the collar nor the circlet are used on the stall plates; Burnett and Hodgson on the occasions when the insignia of the Order are mentioned in a grant or matriculation of arms in Burnett and Hodgson (eg pp134, 138, 174, 180, 198) it is only the collar which is used.
54. ^ The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Symbols: Coats of Arms. The Royal Household. Retrieved on 26 February, 2007.
55. ^ Woodcock and Robinson, p93
2. ^ Nicolas, p4
3. ^ This version of the foundation, although without the date, is given in the warrant 'reviving' the Order in 1687. (1687 warrant, quoted in Statutes, 1978, p1)
4. ^ Nicholas, p4, footnote 1, notes that Achaius died more than a century before Aethelstan
5. ^ Nicolas, Appendix, p.vi, quotes Nisbet's A system of heraldry, which relates this version.
6. ^ Mackey and Heywood, p890
7. ^ Nicolas, p3
8. ^ The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Honours: The Order of the Thistle. The Royal Household. Retrieved on 18 February, 2007.
9. ^ Nicolas, footnote7, p15, quotes Nisbet in support of these claims.
10. ^ Nicolas quotes Ashmole's Treatise on Military Orders (1672) which mentions a ceremony involving Knights of St Andrew (i.e. Knights of the Thistle), but Nicolas goes on to say that it was not pretended that there were any "Knights of the Thistle" or "of St Andrew" after the accession of James VI in 1567
11. ^ 1687 Warrant, quoted in Statutes (1978), p1
12. ^ Nicolas, pp25–26
13. ^ 1703 warrant, quoted in Statutes (1978) pp11–12
14. ^ 1687 Warrant, quoted in Statutes (1978), p2 states revive the said Order, of which his Majesty is the undoubted and rightful Sovereign
15. ^ 1687 Warrant and 1687 Statutes, quoted in Statutes (1987) pp.1–3
16. ^ Warrant of 8 May 1827, quoted in Statutes (1978)
17. ^ Members of the Order had to be Knights Bachelor before appointment (1703 Statutes, article 14, quoted in Statutes (1978), p17); only men could be created as such.
18. ^ Additional statute, 12 June 1937, quoted in Statutes (1978), p60
19. ^ Many such statutes are quoted in Statutes (1978), all of which follow a fixed formula.
20. ^ Additional statute 17 January 1842, quoted in Statutes (1978), p33. The first Royal Knight (other than a monarch) was a younger son of George III, HRH The Prince William Henry (later William IV), however he was admitted as one of the twelve ordinary knights (Nicolas, p51).
21. ^ Additional statute of 18 October 1962, quoted in Statutes (1978), p63
22. ^ The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Honours: The Order of the Garter. The Royal Household. Retrieved on 18 February, 2007.
23. ^ Nicolas, p33, says that the Duke of Hamilton was given special permission by Queen Anne, hitherto unprecedented, to belong to both the Orders of the Thistle and Garter.
24. ^ Nicolas, p32
25. ^ The Times, 30 November 1872, p9
26. ^ Nicolas, p35. Unlike the other British orders, the statutes of the Order of the Thistle do not specify a procedure for the removal of a Knight.
27. ^ Warrant of 7 January 1763, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp28–29
28. ^ London Gazette of 22 July 1969
29. ^ Statute of 8 October 1913, quoted in Statutes (1978), p49
30. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 13, quoted in Statutes (1978), p17, refer to the office only as the Usher, and does not specify the colour of his baton of office, however by the time of a statute of 17 July 1717 he is referred to as Green Rod.
31. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 11, quoted in Statutes (1978), p17 does not assign any duties to Lord Lyon, but merely prescribes his vestments and insignia.
32. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 2, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp15–16
33. ^ Statute of 17 February 1714/15, quoted in Statutes (1978), p20
34. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 5, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp15–16
35. ^ Order of Wear. Ceremonial Secretariat, Cabinet Office (2006-11-13). Retrieved on 20 February 2007.
36. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 3, quoted in Statutes (1978), p15. In the 1687 statues the riband was purple-blue; the colour was changed by Queen Anne when she refounded the Order.
37. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 3, quoted in Statutes (1978), p15 refers to this item of insignia as the medal.
38. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 7, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp16
39. ^ Royal Insight: Mailbox. The Royal Household (2007-02). Retrieved on 20 February 2007.
40. ^ Debrett's Peerage, p82
41. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 11 (Secretary), article 12 (Lord Lyon), article 13 (Usher); Special statute of 10 July 1886 (Dean), Statute of 8 October 1913 (Chancellor), all quoted in Statutes (1978), pp15–16, 42 and 49–50
42. ^ 1703 Statutes, article 13, quoted in Statutes (1978), pp15–16, says only that he carries his "baton of office"
43. ^ Burnett and Hodgson, pp6–7. The 1703 statutes however continue to designate this as the chapel of the Order
44. ^ Paul, pp32–33
45. ^ Innes, p35
46. ^ Cox, N. (1999). "The Coronets of Members of the Royal Family and of the Peerage (The Double Tressure)". Journal of The Heraldry Society of Scotland (22): 8–13.
47. ^ Burnett and Hodgson, p208
48. ^ Innes, p42
49. ^ Burnett and Hodgson, pp7–8, and illustrations on pp54 ff. Only stall plates for Knights and Ladies appointed after 1911 give the name and date of appointment.
50. ^ Burnett and Hodgson
51. ^ The Scale of General Precedence in Scotland. Burke's Peerage. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
52. ^ Charles Mosley (2003-07). Forms of Address for use orally and in correpondence. Department for Constitutional Affairs. Retrieved on 25 February, 2007.
53. ^ Innes, p47. The circlet does not appear to be commonly used. Neither the collar nor the circlet are used on the stall plates; Burnett and Hodgson on the occasions when the insignia of the Order are mentioned in a grant or matriculation of arms in Burnett and Hodgson (eg pp134, 138, 174, 180, 198) it is only the collar which is used.
54. ^ The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Symbols: Coats of Arms. The Royal Household. Retrieved on 26 February, 2007.
55. ^ Woodcock and Robinson, p93
References
Printed
- Burnett, C.J.; Hodgson, L. (2001). Stall Plates of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle in the Chapel of the Order within St Giles' Cathedral, The High Kirk of Edinburgh. Edinburgh: Heraldry Society of Scotland. ISBN 0-952525-83-6.
- (1995) Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage. London: Debrett's Peerage Ltd.
- Innes of Learney, T. (1956). Scots heraldry; a practical handbook on the historical principles and modern application of the art and science, 2nd edition, Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd.
- Mackey, A.G.; Haywood, H.L. (1946). Encyclopedia of Freemasonry. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 0-7661-4719-3.
- Nicolas, N.H. (1842). History of the orders of knighthood of the British empire, of the order of the Guelphs of Hanover; and of the medals, clasps, and crosses, conferred for naval and military service, Vol iii.
- Paul, J.B. (1911). The knights of the Order of the Thistle: a historical sketch by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and a descriptive sketch of their chapel by J. Warrack.
- Order of the Thistle (1978). Statutes of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle : revived by His Majesty King James II of England and VII of Scotland and again revived by Her Majesty Queen Anne.
- Woodcock, T.; Robinson, J.M. (1988). The Oxford Guide to Heraldry. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-211658-4.
Web
- The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Honours: The Order of the Garter. The Royal Household. Retrieved on 18 February, 2007.
- The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Honours: The Order of the Thistle. The Royal Household. Retrieved on 18 February, 2007.
- Order of Wear. Ceremonial Secretariat, Cabinet Office (2006-11-13). Retrieved on 20 February 2007.
- Royal Insight: Mailbox. The Royal Household (2007-02). Retrieved on 20 February 2007.
- The Scale of General Precedence in Scotland. Burke's Peerage. Retrieved on 24 February, 2007.
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British honours system |
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military orders became idealized and romanticized, resulting in the late medieval notion of chivalry, and is reflected in the Arthurian romances of the time.
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Later Medieval Europe
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Motto
Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin)
"No one provokes me with impunity"
"Cha togar m'fhearg gun dioladh"
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Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin)
"No one provokes me with impunity"
"Cha togar m'fhearg gun dioladh"
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James II (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701)[1] became King of England, King of Scots,[2] and King of Ireland on 6 February 1685. He was the last Roman Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland.
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The Royal Family. Although there is no strict legal or formal definition of who is or is not a member of the Royal Family [1] , and different lists will include different people, those carrying the style His or Her Majesty (HM), His or Her Royal Highness (HRH) or Their
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Thistle is the common name of a polyphyletic group of flowering plants characterised by leaves with sharp spines or prickles on the margins, mostly in the plant family Asteraceae. Their prickles often occur all over the plant, including on the stem and flat parts of the leaf.
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National Emblem is a march written around 1906 by Edwin Eugene Bagley.
Bagley resided for many years in Keene, New Hampshire and directed the band there.
Early in its score, it incorporates the first 12 notes or so of The Star-Spangled Banner.
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Bagley resided for many years in Keene, New Hampshire and directed the band there.
Early in its score, it incorporates the first 12 notes or so of The Star-Spangled Banner.
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Nemo me impune lacessit is often translated as roughly, None provokes me unpunished.
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Approaching more accurate translation
Since "lacessit" has no one-to-one translation into English, a simplistic translation such as None provokes me unpunished..... Click the link for more information.
Latin}}}
Official status
Official language of: Vatican City
Used for official purposes, but not spoken in everyday speech
Regulated by: Opus Fundatum Latinitas
Roman Catholic Church
Language codes
ISO 639-1: la
ISO 639-2: lat
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Official status
Official language of: Vatican City
Used for official purposes, but not spoken in everyday speech
Regulated by: Opus Fundatum Latinitas
Roman Catholic Church
Language codes
ISO 639-1: la
ISO 639-2: lat
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Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom is the official coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. These arms are used by the Queen in her official capacity as monarch, and are officially known as her Arms of Dominion.
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British one pound (£1) coin is minted from a nickel-brass alloy of approximately 70% copper, 24.5% zinc, and 5.5% nickel. The coin weighs 9.50 grams (0.34 oz) and has a diameter of 22.50 millimetres (0.89 in.).
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patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who has special affinity for that group and its members. Prayers by such people are considered more likely to be answered by their patron saint.
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Saint Andrew (Greek: Ανδρέας, Andreas), called in the Orthodox tradition Protocletos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the elder brother of Saint Peter.
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Motto
"Dieu et mon droit" [2] (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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"Dieu et mon droit" [2] (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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Constituent countries is a phrase used, often by official institutions, in contexts in which a number of countries make up a larger entity or grouping, concerning these countries; thus the OECD has used the phrase in reference to the parts of former Yugoslavia[1]
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Motto
Dieu et mon droit (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
No official anthem specific to England — the anthem of the United Kingdom is "God Save the Queen".
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Dieu et mon droit (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
No official anthem specific to England — the anthem of the United Kingdom is "God Save the Queen".
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The Most Noble Order of the Garter is a medieval English order of chivalry or knighthood, and the pinnacle of the British honours system. Membership in it is limited to the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales and no more than twenty-four members, or Companions; men are known as Knights
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Ireland
Éire
Airlann <nowiki />
Northwest of continental Europe with Great Britain to the east.
Geography <nowiki/>
Location Western Europe <nowiki />
Archipelago
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Éire
Airlann <nowiki />
Northwest of continental Europe with Great Britain to the east.
Geography <nowiki/>
Location Western Europe <nowiki />
Archipelago
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The Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick is a British order of chivalry associated with Ireland. The Order was created in 1783 by George III. The regular creation of knights of Saint Patrick lasted until 1922, when most of Ireland became independent as the Irish Free State.
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Irish independence may refer to:
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- The creation of the Irish Free State
- Irish War of Independence from Britain
- The Anglo-Irish Treaty
- Irish Independence Party
- Irish nationalism
- Irish Independent
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Óengus mac Fergusa.]] Óengus mac Fergusa (variants Onuist, Hungus or Angus) was king of the Picts (or of Fortriu), in modern Scotland, from about 820 until 834. Tradition associates him with the cult of Saint Andrew and the Flag of Scotland.
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The list of kings of the Picts is based on the Pictish Chronicle king lists. These are late documents and do not record the dates when the kings reigned. The various surviving lists disagree in places as to the names of kings, and the lengths of their reigns.
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Athelstaneford is a village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the town of Haddington and lies approximately 20 miles east of Edinburgh.
According to popular legend, Athelstaneford is where the original Scottish saltire - the white diagonal cross on a sky blue
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According to popular legend, Athelstaneford is where the original Scottish saltire - the white diagonal cross on a sky blue
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Anglo-Saxon is the collective term usually used to describe the ethnically and linguistically related peoples living in the south and east of the island of Great Britain (modern Great Britain/United Kingdom) from around the early 5th century AD to the Norman conquest of 1066.
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Æthelstan was king of East Anglia in the 9th century.
As with the other kings of East Anglia, there is very little textual information available. He did, however, leave an extensive coinage of both portrait and non-portrait type (for example, Coins of England and the United
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As with the other kings of East Anglia, there is very little textual information available. He did, however, leave an extensive coinage of both portrait and non-portrait type (for example, Coins of England and the United
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The flag of Scotland features a white saltire, a crux decussate (X-shaped cross) representing the cross of the Christian martyr Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, on a blue field. It is named the Saltire or the Saint Andrew's Cross.
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Charlemagne (En: [ˈʃa(ɹ).lə.meɪn]; Fr: [ʃaʀ.lə.
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Charlemagne (En: [ˈʃa(ɹ).lə.meɪn]; Fr: [ʃaʀ.lə.
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Robert I
King of Scots
Reign 1306–1329
Coronation 1306
Born July 11 1274
Carrick, Scotland (uncertain)
Died May 7 1329 (aged 56)
Cardross
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King of Scots
Reign 1306–1329
Coronation 1306
Born July 11 1274
Carrick, Scotland (uncertain)
Died May 7 1329 (aged 56)
Cardross
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Battle of Bannockburn (Blàr Allt a' Bhonnaich in Gaelic) (June 24 1314) was a significant Scottish victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence. It was the decisive battle in the First War of Scottish Independence.
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James III of Scotland
King of Scots
Reign August 3, 1460 – June 11, 1488
Coronation 1460
Born 1451/1452
Stirling Castle or the Castle of St Andrews
Died May 11 1488 (aged 36/37)
Sauchie Burn, Scotland
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King of Scots
Reign August 3, 1460 – June 11, 1488
Coronation 1460
Born 1451/1452
Stirling Castle or the Castle of St Andrews
Died May 11 1488 (aged 36/37)
Sauchie Burn, Scotland
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