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History of Scotland's Thistle
The prickly purple thistle is the national
emblem of Scotland. Ever present in fields and pastures throughout
Scotland, thistle has been Scotland's emblem for centuries.
The first use as a royal symbol was on silver coins issued
by James III in 1470. The plant, which grows to a height of
five feet, has no enemies because of vicious spines that cover
it like armor plating.
There are many different stories of how the
Thistle became Scotland's symbol, but most point to the events
surrounding the Battle of Largs in 1263. It is generally forgotten
that for more than 600 years most of Scotland was part of
the Kingdom of Norway. By 1263 Norway seemed to have little
interest. King Alexander III proposed to buy back the Western
Isles and Kintyre, still Norwegian territory. However this
re-awoke Norse interest and King Haakon IV attacked with a
large force, but was finally defeated at Largs. At some point
during the campaign the Norsemen tried to surprise the Scots
with a night attack. They removed their footwear for a silent
approach but found themselves on ground covered with thistle.
It is said their leader steeped on thistle and
cried out. His shout warned the Scots who then saw off the
Norsemen, thus saving Scotland. The role of the thistle was
then understood, and was chosen as Scotland's symbol, with
the motto "Nemo me impune lacessit", "No-one
harms me without punishment" but more commonly translated
as "Wha daurs meddle wi me".
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