The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle

• Instituted: 1687 (though may have existed earlier)
• Ranks: One
  • Knight (or Lady) of the Thistle – K.T. (or L.T.)
• Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit;
• Insignia:
  • Riband: Green;
  • Star: St Andrew standing behind his cross (i.e. a saltire);
  • Mantle: Green velvet lined with white silk;
    • Cordon: Green silk and gold thread;
    • Tassels: Green silk and gold;
    • Embroidered badge: A St Andrew’s cross in silver with rays going out between the points of the cross, on the middle of which a thistle of green heightened with gold upon a field of gold is surrounded by a circle of green upon which is the motto;
  • Hood: Blue velvet;
  • Hat:
• Size of Order: Maximum of 16 knights (eight until 1827).
• Chapel: In St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
• Officers:

• Comments: Women have been eligible for the Order since

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• References
  • Link to the Royal Family’s web site
  • Burnett and Bennett (1987)
  • Matthew (1988)

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