Order of the Thistle

The Duke of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth II leave The Thistle Service at St Giles Cathedral on July 6, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle

Vestments of a Knight of the Thistle The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the Scottish order of knighthood whose modern period dates from King James VII of Scotland (James II of England), who revived it in 1687, and Queen Anne, who revived it again in 1703. As with many orders of chivalry, its origins lie much further back in time. Tradition has it that at the end of the 8th century Achaius, King of Scots, founded a chivalric order and introduced the veneration of St. Andrew into Scotland, but few scholars accept this. More probable is that the Order of the Thistle relates to an order founded by King David I of Scots in the 12th century, as that king responded (as he did in so much else) to the Flemish influence in his court (the thistle was claimed as a Flemish emblem at that time). Later, James III of Scots (reigned 1460–88) created an order of knighthood and used the thistle as a royal emblem, so there are at least three possible founders of the ancient order. When the modern founder, James II of England, was deposed in 1688, the modern version fell dormant, but it was revived once more by Queen Anne in 1703. The membership of the order established in 1687 comprised the Scottish sovereign and eight knights. Queen Anne increased the number of knights to 12, and in 1827 the number was raised to 16, which is its current number. The only foreigner admitted has been King Olaf V of Norway. Conferment of the order entails induction into knighthood, if the candidate is not already a knight, and the right to use the title “Sir.” Holders add KT (Knight of the Order of the Thistle) after their name. In order of precedence among knights, Knights of the Thistle are ranked just below Knights of the Garter, these two orders being the oldest and most honoured in Britain. (Knights of the Thistle and of the Garter rank as Knights Grand Cross when compared with other orders and thus may be granted the use of supporters with their arms.) There are five officers—Chancellor, Dean, Secretary, Lyon King of Arms, and Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod. The order, dedicated to St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, celebrates its feast day on November 30th (St. Andrew’s Day). The beautiful Thistle chapel, built in 1911, is in St. Giles’s Cathedral in Edinburgh. The insignia comprise a star bearing St. Andrew’s cross, in the centre of which is a green thistle on a field of gold; a badge portraying St. Andrew and his cross; and a collar consisting of thistles alternating with sprigs of rue. All insignia are returned upon the holder’s death. The motto of the order, “Nemo me impune lacessit” (“No one provokes me with impunity”), is also the motto of all Scottish regiments, although more popularly rendered as “Wha daur meddle wi’ me?”

Order of the Thistle- Miniature Sash Badge James VII issued letters patent "reviving and restoring the Order of the Thistle to its full glory, lustre and magnificency" on 29 May 1687.[14][15] Although the "restoration" in 1687 of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle was accomplished by King James VII & II, the initiative for - essentially - founding this Scottish Royal Order can be attributed to John, 1st Earl and 1st Jacobite Duke of Melfort, then Secretary of State for Scotland, who together with his elder brother James, 4th Earl and 1st Jacobite Duke of Perth, then Lord Chancellor of Scotland, were among the eight Founding Knights. Eight knights, out of a maximum of twelve, were appointed, but the King was deposed in 1688.[16] His successors, the joint monarchs William III and Mary II, did not make any further appointments to the Order, which consequently fell into desuetude.[17] In 1703, however, Anne once again revived the Order of the Thistle, which survives to this day.[18] Founder knights (restored order) James, Earl of Perth George, Duke of Gordon John, Marquis of Atholl James, Earl of Arran Kenneth, Earl of Seaforth John, Earl of Melfort George, Earl of Dumbarton

Banners of Knights of the Order of the Thistle, Thistle Castle, St. Giles High Kirk Edinburgh

The ceremony takes place every other year to celebrate the highest honor of chivalry in Scotland, which recognizes men and women for their public service. Like the knights in the procession, the royals attending the ceremony dressed in a deep green velvet mantle with a white lining and star on the left side. The cape includes white ribbons on both shoulders, a large gold tasseled rope connecting both sides, and—the best part—a black velvet hat with an oversized ostrich feather, according to People. The gold collar they wear over their robes consists of a gold enamel and chain. The links represent a single thistle and four interlinked sprigs of rue, and a pendant portraying St. Andrew carrying the cross of his martyrdom hangs down the center, according to the royal family. The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland, thanks to King James III, who first used the symbol on silver coins issued in 1470. References: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest https://en.wikipedia.org/ https://www.britannica.com