Order of the Thistle

E4411

The Order of the Thistle is Scotland’s highest and most prestigious order of chivalry, traditionally bestowed by the British monarch for exceptional service.


Statements (51)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Scottish order of chivalry
order of chivalry
associatedWith Church of Scotland
awardedFor contribution to national life
exceptional service to Scotland
public service
ceremonialDress black velvet hat with white feathers
green mantle
chapelLocation St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
colour green
country Scotland
currentSovereign Charles III
eligibility Scottish subjects
members of the British royal family
persons who have rendered exceptional service to Scotland
foundedBy James II of England
James VII of Scotland
grade Knight of the Thistle
Lady of the Thistle
hasCategory Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom
Scottish monarchy
hasChapel Thistle Chapel
higherThan Order of the Bath
Order of the British Empire
historicalOriginsDate 15th century
includes extra knights
foreign knights
royal knights
insignia badge
collar
green riband
star
maximumNumberOfKnightsAndLadies 16
membershipType order of knighthood
motto Nemo me impune lacessit
mottoAssociatedWith Scottish monarchy
mottoLanguage Latin
mottoTranslation No one provokes me with impunity
partOf British honours system
primaryEmblem thistle
reFoundationDate 1687
reFoundedBy James II of England
James VII of Scotland
religiousAffiliation Presbyterian tradition
secondOnlyTo Order of the Garter
selectionMethod personal gift of the sovereign
sovereign monarch of the United Kingdom
status Scotland’s highest order of chivalry
one of the highest orders of chivalry in the United Kingdom
symbolises Scottish identity
royal favour

Referenced by (17)

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