What is the Order of the Thistle?

What is the Order of the Thistle, and how ancient is Scotland’s highest order of chivalry really? In this video, I explore the story behind the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle: its legendary origins, its real foundation under James VII in 1687, its Stuart symbolism, its robes and insignia, and the creation of the Thistle Chapel at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. We’ll look at the myth of King Achaius and the saltire in the sky, the medieval use of thistles, unicorns and livery collars by the Scottish kings, Queen Anne’s revival of the order, the admission of royal and female members, and the spectacular green robes, collars, badges and motto: Nemo me impune lacessit — “No one provokes me with impunity.” If you enjoy royal history, Scottish history, heraldry, chivalric orders, or the ceremonial world of the British monarchy, this is the story of how a supposedly ancient order became one of the most prestigious honours in Scotland. 0:00 What is the Order of the Thistle? 0:56 James VII and the 1687 foundation 1:33The legendary origin story of King Achaius 2:35 Why the legend does not stand up 4:14 St Andrew, the saltire and medieval Scottish chronicles 5:41 Stuart royal symbolism: unicorns, thistles and livery collars 8:30 James IV, James V and the thistle collar 9:40 The order as founded in 1687 11:18 Jacobites, exile and Queen Anne’s revival 12:24 Changes under George IV and the admission of women 14:16 The robes and insignia of the Order of the Thistle 15:15 The collar, badge, star and motto 19:07 Holyrood Abbey and the lost Thistle Chapel 20:55 The Thistle Chapel at St Giles’ Cathedral 22:47 The modern Thistle service during Holyrood Week Keywords Order of the Thistle, Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Scottish order of chivalry, Scottish knighthood, royal history, Scottish royal history, British monarchy, British honours system, James VII of Scotland, James II of England, Queen Anne, St Andrew, thistle symbol Scotland, Nemo me impune lacessit, Thistle Chapel, St Giles Cathedral Edinburgh, Holyrood Abbey, Stuart monarchy, Jacobite history, heraldry, royal robes, chivalric orders, Order of the Garter, Scottish heraldry, royal insignia, medieval Scotland, Scottish kings, James III of Scotland, James IV of Scotland, James V of Scotland, Holyrood Week, order of the thistle, order of thistle, scotland order of chivalry, scottish knighthood, scottish history, royal history, british monarchy, british royal family, james vii, james ii, queen anne, st andrew, st andrews cross, saltire, thistle chapel, st giles cathedral, holyrood abbey, holyrood week, nemo me impune lacessit, heraldry, scottish heraldry, royal insignia, royal robes, chivalry, orders of chivalry, order of the garter, stuart history, jacobite history, medieval scotland, scottish kings, james iii, james iv, james v, unicorn heraldry, thistle symbol, history documentary, monarchy documentary, royal ceremonies, british honours, knights and ladies #OrderOfTheThistle #ScottishHistory #RoyalHistory #BritishMonarchy #Heraldry