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"most ancient" Order of the Thistle

The "most ancient" Order of the Thistle was founded by James II in 1687, and dedicated to St Andrew. It served as the Prime Order of Scotland as the Garter was for England and St Patrick for Ireland. It consisted of the sovereign and eight knights companions, and fell into abeyance at the Revolution of 1688. In 1703 it was revived by Queen Anne, when it was ordained to consist of the sovereign and 12 knights companions, the number being increased to 16 by statute in 1827. The officers of the order are the dean, the secretary, Lyon King of Arms and the gentleman usher of the Green Rod. The collar is formed of thistles, alternating with sprigs of rue, and the motto is Nemo me impune lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity).

The origin of this Order is assigned by tradition to a King Achaius, who is said to have been contemporary with CHARLEMAGNE. King Achaius, King of Scotland, was said to have reigned 787-819. One story claims that Achaius, King of the Scots, instituted the order in 787 after winning a battle with the Saxon King Aethelstan of East Anglia. Apparently, Achaius saw the cross of St. Andrew (which is a white cross in the shape of an X on a blue background) in the sky during the battle, and so afterwards dedicated the Order of the Thistle to the saint after the battle. However, this story is a bit hard to believe, as Achaius was long dead by the time Aethelstan was king. The whole story is an absurdity.

The official explanation given by the British government is that "the date of the foundation of the Order is not known, although legend has it that it was founded in 809 when King Achaius made an alliance with the Emperor Charlemagne." This has a bit more credibility, as traditionally Charlemagne did employ some Scottish bodyguards. It is possible that the Order may have been founded by James III (1488-1513), who was responsible for changes in Royal symbolism in Scotland, including the adoption of the thistle as the Royal plant badge.

James V is said to have conferred membership to "the Order of the Burr or Thissil" to Francis I of France, allegedly because he was embarrassed that he had no honor to bestow on foreign monarchs. Thus, the legend says that he instituted the Order. James V, is represented with a collar of thistles on his gold Bonnet pieces of 1539; and, in Sir DAVID LINDSAY'S Register of 1542, the Royal Arms are surrounded by a collar of thistles with an oval badge. But these were only "livery collars" at most; and if, as is said, James meditated the formation of a regular National Order with these symbols he certainly never instituted it.

The Order was nominally "restored" but really founded in May 1687 by JAMES II. (VII. of Scotland), though his patent for the "restoration" never passed the Great Seal. It was founded for the Sovereign and twelve knights. The letters patent that he issued in 1687 point to the Order being founded earlier, as his letters state the intent of "reviving and restoring the Order of the Thistle to its full glory, luster, and magnificency." Thus, one can't help but think the Order had already been around for a while when James issued his proclamation. James conferred membership in the Order to Scottish peers who supported his political and religious objectives. One of the rules of the Order established by James said that the Order was "to continue to consist of the Sovereign and twelve Knights-Brethren in allusion to the Blessed Saviour and His Twelve Apostles." However, James appointed only 8 Knights of the Thistle. James was deposed in 1688 as part of the Glorious Revolution, and his successors William and Mary appointed no further members of the Order.

It then fell into desuetude until 1/03 when Queen ANNE formally revived it. The Order was extended in 1827, and as now constituted consists of the Sovereign, Princes of the Blood Royal, and sixteen Knights, usually members of the Peerage, there has only been one exception to this rule. Its maximum number of members was increased to 16 in 1827 by King George IV; however, women (aside from reigning queens) were still barred from admission. A special order by George VI in 1937 allowed his wife, Elizabeth, to become a Lady.

The badge of the Order is the figure of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, habited in a purple surcoat and a green mantle; standing behind, and supporting, the cross saltire, the reputed instrument of his martyrdom, the whole irradiated with golden rays. This is worn pendant from a golden collar of sixteen enamelled thistles which alternate with saltires, each formed of four interlaced sprigs of rue. The Badge, enclosed by an oval motto- band of gold charged with the motto "Nemo me itiipinie lacessit" is also worn pendant from a broad dark green ribbon en fcharpe over the left shoulder to the right side. This ribbon was originally blue, but Queen ANNE changed it to dark green. The Star, worn on the left breast is of a lozenge shape, and is formed by a silver St. Andrew's Cross, with rays between its arms. The circular centre is of gold, charged with a thistle enamelled proper, and surrounded by a motto-band of green enamel, bearing the motto. The Knights of the Order place this motto-band, as well as the Collar of the Order, around their shields of arms. The Officers of the Order were the Dean (of the Royal Chapels in Scotland), the Secretary, the Lyon King of Arms, and the Gentleman-Usher of the Green Rod; who had special Badges worn on the breast.