In My Defens God Me Defend

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In my defens God me defend is the motto of both the Royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland and Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom used in Scotland.[1][2] Contemporary versions of the Royal arms show an abbreviated motto, in the form of IN DEFENS or, where English is used as an alternative to Scots, IN DEFENCE.[3] The motto appears above the crest of the arms, in the tradition of Scottish heraldry.[4][5]

Contents

[edit] Origins

Arms of James IV, King of Scots, showing the abbreviated form In my defens
Arms of James IV, King of Scots, showing the abbreviated form In my defens

Adopted during the reign of the Stewart dynasty and originally the only motto associated with the Royal arms,[6] versions have appeared in both full and abbreviated forms;[7] In my defens, for example, having been adopted for the Royal arms of James IV, King of Scots. (An embroidered wall hanging depicting these arms is displayed in the 'Great Hall' at Stirling Castle).

The motto is also associated with an old Scots prayer, of which there are several versions where In my defens God me defend appears as the opening line, including:

In my defence God me defend
And bring my sawl to ane good end
ane vertuous lyf procureth ane happie death...[8]

And:

In my defence God me defend
And bring my soul to ane good end
When I am sick and like to die
Father of Heaven have mercy on me.[9]

[edit] Nemo me impune lacessit

Scottish arms of Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, showing the abbreviated form IN DEFENS and motto of the Order of the Thistle: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT
Scottish arms of Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, showing the abbreviated form IN DEFENS and motto of the Order of the Thistle: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT

During the reign of Charles II, the Royal arms were augmented with the inclusion of the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle,[10] the highest Chivalric order in Scotland.[11] The motto of the Order, Nemo me impune lacessit, appears on a blue scroll, beneath the shield and overlying the compartment.[12] The introduction of the motto of the Order of the Thistle brought the Royal arms of Scotland into line with the Royal arms of England, whose blazon includes the motto of the highest chivalric order in the Kingdom of England, the Order of the Garter, which appears in Old French as Honi soit qui mal y pense.

[edit] Confusion

The rules governing heraldry and armorial achievements in England have possibly resulted in a dregree of confusion as to the status of the mottoes associated with both the Royal coat of arms of Scotland and those of the United Kingdom used in Scotland. In English heraldry the motto is placed beneath the shield, whereas in Scottish heraldy the motto is placed above the crest.[13] Appearing beneath the shield may have led to the conclusion that Nemo me impune lacessit is the motto of the Royal arms, whereas historical evidence coupled with the conventions of heraldry in Scotland[14] would suggest that In my defens God me defend is the motto of the Royal arms.

[edit] Usage

The motto IN DEFENS not only appears on the Royal arms, but also, in conjunction with the crest of the Royal arms, upon the logo of both the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the General Register Office for Scotland.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Progress and Public Processions of Queen Elizabeth, by John Nichols
  2. ^ The Fourth part of the Institutes of Laws of England: Concerning the Jurisdiction of Courts, by Edward Coke
  3. ^ Public Sculpture of Glasgow by Ray McKenzie, Gary Nisbet
  4. ^ The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada
  5. ^ International Civic Heraldry
  6. ^ Typographical antiquities: an historical account of printing in England, by Joseph Ames
  7. ^ National Museums of Scotland – Book stamp associated with James VI
  8. ^ Electric Scotland
  9. ^ Annals of Banff: Index to old cemetry
  10. ^ Public Sculpture of Glasgow by Ray McKenzie, Gary Nisbet
  11. ^ British Monarchy web site
  12. ^ Heraldry – The Arms of the Earl of Dundee (taken from a book "Scottish Heraldry" by MD Dennis, published in 1999 by the Heraldic Society of Scotland: ISBN 0-9525258-2-8)
  13. ^ Cheshire-Heraldry
  14. ^ Cayman Islands Govt.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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