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Star of the Order of the Thistle

George V's Thistle Star
The Royal Collection 2006 © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

ORDER OF THE THISTLE

The Order of the Thistle represents the highest honour in Scotland. It is second only in precedence in the UK to the Order of the Garter.

The Order honours Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life.

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.

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.

It is said that James V bestowed the insignia of the 'Order of the Burr or Thissil' on Francis I of France in 1535. Around the time of the Reformation, the Order was discontinued.

Although some kind of Scottish Order of chivalry existed in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, or even much earlier, it was James II (James VII of Scotland) who established the Order with a statutory foundation under new rules in 1687 - to reward Scottish peers who supported the king's political and religious aims.

One statute required that the robe should be 'powdered over with thistles of gold'; a robe from that period still survives, scattered with more than 250 applied thistle motifs. The statutes stated 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'.

After James II (and VII)'s abdication in 1688, the Order fell into disuse once more until it was revived by Queen Anne in 1703. The number of knights remained at 12.

Despite the rebellions of 1715 and 1745, the Old and Young Pretenders (Prince James and Prince Charles 'Bonnie Prince Charlie') appointed Knights of the Thistle (and Garter) in their exiles.

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Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (No one harms me with impunity)

Chapel: Thistle Chapel, St. Giles' Cathedral

Ranks: Knight or Lady

Post-nominals: KT or LT

The early Hanoverian kings also made use of the Order to reward Scottish nobles who supported the Hanoverian and Protestant cause.

Interest in the Order revived when George IV wore the Thistle during his visit to Scotland in 1822. A statute of 1827 established the complement of Knights Brethren at 16.

In 1987 a statute enabled ladies to join the Order. Extra knights may be created by special statute. If there are vacancies in the Order, appointments are announced on St Andrew's Day (30 November).

The patron saint of the Order of the Thistle is St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, who also appears on the Order's badge.

The breast star of the Order consists of a silver saltire with a pointed ray between each of the arms of the cross.

At the centre is a gold medallion contained in an enamelled representation of the thistle, surrounded by a green border bearing the Order's motto.

The motto is 'Nemo me impune lacessit' (No one harms me with impunity).

The Princess Royal was invested in the Order of the Thistle in June 2001.

The Queen in her Thistle robes

The Queen wears the robes of the Order of the Thistle at the service in St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh
© Press Association

In 1962, King Olav V of Norway became the first foreigner to be admitted to the Order for over 200 years.

The chapel for the Order was to be at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where James II had issued instructions in 1687 for the Abbey Church to be converted into the Chapel Royal and the Chapel of the Order.

However, the political situation deteriorated and, by the time it was ready for use in December 1688, the furnishings and the stalls of the Chapel had been destroyed by a rioting mob.

It was not until 1911 that the Order had a chapel, adjacent to St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, in which its services and ceremonies could be held.

When practicable, and when there is to be the installation of a new knight, a service of the Order is held each year at St Giles' Cathedral, during the week spent by The Queen at Holyroodhouse.

Next section

Have you seen...

James III
Profile of the probable founder of the Order of the Thistle

The Princess Royal
Biography of The Queen's daughter

SUGGESTED LINKS
UK Honours System
St. Giles' Cathedral

Queen and Public
	Honours Star of the Order of the Thistle George V's Thistle Star The Royal Collection 2006 © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ORDER OF THE THISTLE The Order of the Thistle represents the highest honour in Scotland. It is second only in precedence in the UK to the Order of the Garter. The Order honours Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life. 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. 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. It is said that James V bestowed the insignia of the 'Order of the Burr or Thissil' on Francis I of France in 1535. Around the time of the Reformation, the Order was discontinued. Although some kind of Scottish Order of chivalry existed in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, or even much earlier, it was James II (James VII of Scotland) who established the Order with a statutory foundation under new rules in 1687 - to reward Scottish peers who supported the king's political and religious aims. One statute required that the robe should be 'powdered over with thistles of gold'; a robe from that period still survives, scattered with more than 250 applied thistle motifs. The statutes stated 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'. After James II (and VII)'s abdication in 1688, the Order fell into disuse once more until it was revived by Queen Anne in 1703. The number of knights remained at 12. Despite the rebellions of 1715 and 1745, the Old and Young Pretenders (Prince James and Prince Charles 'Bonnie Prince Charlie') appointed Knights of the Thistle (and Garter) in their exiles.
How the Monarchy works? Queen and State Queen and Commonwealth Ceremony and symbol Royal finances The Royal Household	Fact file Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (No one harms me with impunity) Chapel: Thistle Chapel, St. Giles' Cathedral Ranks: Knight or Lady Post-nominals: KT or LT The early Hanoverian kings also made use of the Order to reward Scottish nobles who supported the Hanoverian and Protestant cause. Interest in the Order revived when George IV wore the Thistle during his visit to Scotland in 1822. A statute of 1827 established the complement of Knights Brethren at 16. In 1987 a statute enabled ladies to join the Order. Extra knights may be created by special statute. If there are vacancies in the Order, appointments are announced on St Andrew's Day (30 November). The patron saint of the Order of the Thistle is St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, who also appears on the Order's badge. The breast star of the Order consists of a silver saltire with a pointed ray between each of the arms of the cross. At the centre is a gold medallion contained in an enamelled representation of the thistle, surrounded by a green border bearing the Order's motto. The motto is 'Nemo me impune lacessit' (No one harms me with impunity). The Princess Royal was invested in the Order of the Thistle in June 2001. The Queen in her Thistle robes The Queen wears the robes of the Order of the Thistle at the service in St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh © Press Association In 1962, King Olav V of Norway became the first foreigner to be admitted to the Order for over 200 years. The chapel for the Order was to be at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where James II had issued instructions in 1687 for the Abbey Church to be converted into the Chapel Royal and the Chapel of the Order. However, the political situation deteriorated and, by the time it was ready for use in December 1688, the furnishings and the stalls of the Chapel had been destroyed by a rioting mob. It was not until 1911 that the Order had a chapel, adjacent to St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, in which its services and ceremonies could be held. When practicable, and when there is to be the installation of a new knight, a service of the Order is held each year at St Giles' Cathedral, during the week spent by The Queen at Holyroodhouse. Next section Have you seen... James III Profile of the probable founder of the Order of the Thistle The Princess Royal Biography of The Queen's daughter SUGGESTED LINKS UK Honours System St. Giles' Cathedral