The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle
The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is the order of chivalry associated with Scotland. It was created in its current form in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland/James II of England and Ireland who wanted to revive an earlier Order. The Order consists of the Sovereign of Scotland and 16 Knights and Ladies, as well as "extra" knights and members of the Royal Family. The Queen is responsible for membership of the Order, not advised by the Government.
The primary emblem is the thistle as the national flower of Scotland. The motto is "Nemo me impune lacessit"; "No one provokes me with impunity". The Orders patron saint is St Andrew as he is the patron saint of Scotland. This Order only pertains to Scotland as a constituent country and is the second most senior in the United Kingdom, preceded by The Most Noble Order of the Garter.
The King of the Scots and then the Kings of the Great Britain and of the United Kingdom served as Sovereigns of the Order. Originally only the Sovereign and 12 Knights-Brethren formed the Order in relation to the Blessed Saviour and the 12 Apostles. In 1827, George IV made it that there are 16 members of the Order along with the Sovereign. In 1937, Queen Elizabeth (Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) was made the first Lady of the Thistle by a special statute. The regular admission of women was allowed by Elizabeth II in 1987. "Extra Knights" are admitted to the Order on the basis of special statutes. They don't count to the 16-member limit.
The Order has 5 officers: the dean, the Chancellor, the Usher, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and the Secretary. The Dean is normally a cleric of the Church of Scotland. The Chancellor is given custody of the seal of the Order. The Usher is the Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod. The Lord Lyon King of Arms is the head of he Scottish heraldic establishment. They often also serve as the secretary.
The Knights and Ladies wear a mantle/green robe with white taffeta, green and gold tassels and the Star of the Order on the left shoulder of the mantle. They wear a black velvet hat with plumed white feathers and a black egret. The collar which depicts thistles and sprigs of rue. The St Andrew is worn suspended from the collar and depict St Andrew's head. The collar may be worn over formal wear or a military costume for an event. At death, the badge and star are returned to the Sovereign personally but the insignia is returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.
The Order meets at a chapel at St Giles High Kirk in Edinburgh. The service is done here every year and new members may be installed. Each member and the Sovereign is allotted a stall in the Chapel and the members helm and coronet below. Women usually only use their coronets and not helms. When the member dies the helm, shield, and sword is removed.
The primary emblem is the thistle as the national flower of Scotland. The motto is "Nemo me impune lacessit"; "No one provokes me with impunity". The Orders patron saint is St Andrew as he is the patron saint of Scotland. This Order only pertains to Scotland as a constituent country and is the second most senior in the United Kingdom, preceded by The Most Noble Order of the Garter.
The King of the Scots and then the Kings of the Great Britain and of the United Kingdom served as Sovereigns of the Order. Originally only the Sovereign and 12 Knights-Brethren formed the Order in relation to the Blessed Saviour and the 12 Apostles. In 1827, George IV made it that there are 16 members of the Order along with the Sovereign. In 1937, Queen Elizabeth (Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) was made the first Lady of the Thistle by a special statute. The regular admission of women was allowed by Elizabeth II in 1987. "Extra Knights" are admitted to the Order on the basis of special statutes. They don't count to the 16-member limit.
The Order has 5 officers: the dean, the Chancellor, the Usher, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and the Secretary. The Dean is normally a cleric of the Church of Scotland. The Chancellor is given custody of the seal of the Order. The Usher is the Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod. The Lord Lyon King of Arms is the head of he Scottish heraldic establishment. They often also serve as the secretary.
The Knights and Ladies wear a mantle/green robe with white taffeta, green and gold tassels and the Star of the Order on the left shoulder of the mantle. They wear a black velvet hat with plumed white feathers and a black egret. The collar which depicts thistles and sprigs of rue. The St Andrew is worn suspended from the collar and depict St Andrew's head. The collar may be worn over formal wear or a military costume for an event. At death, the badge and star are returned to the Sovereign personally but the insignia is returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.
The Order meets at a chapel at St Giles High Kirk in Edinburgh. The service is done here every year and new members may be installed. Each member and the Sovereign is allotted a stall in the Chapel and the members helm and coronet below. Women usually only use their coronets and not helms. When the member dies the helm, shield, and sword is removed.