ANNO 1687.]

ORDER OF THE THISTLE.

19

always had in great respect and honour, in all places wherever Christianvalour advanced the glory of the Cross, until the unfortunate Rebellion againstHis Majesty’s Royal great-grandmother, Mary Queen of Scots (of mostpious and glorious memory), at which time the splendour both of Church andMonarchy fell together into contempt, and the Most Noble Order, with all itsOrnaments, and Rites, and Ceremonies, was extinguished, some of theBrethren of that Order laying the Ensigns thereof aside, and out of arebellious contempt to their then Sovereign Lady, His Majesty’s said Royalgreat-grandmother, and others of them forced to fly into foreign countries forsafety of their lives. And whereas the succeeding great disorders and dismalrebellions, in the reigns qf His Majesty’s Royal Predecessors since that time,hath hindered and diverted them from restoring the said Order to its formerancient lustre, His Majesty has now thought fit, as a mark of Royal favourand esteem of that his ancient Kingdom, and of the desire he hath to restoreit to its former splendour and reputation, considering the many and seasonableinstances of duty and affection it has shewn to his Royal person, both sincehis Accession to the Crown, and in times of his greatest difficulties, hath, as alasting mark of his Royal favour, and in remembrance of the Nation’s dutyand affection unto him, to all succeeding ages, thought fit at this time toRevive the said Order, of which His Majesty is undoubted and rightfulSovereign; and doth hereby revive and restore the same to its full glory,lustre and magnificency, as it heretofore was, with such change and additionsas are already made or shall hereafter be declared by His Majesty; herebygiving to it Twelve Knights, of which, with His Majesty as Sovereign, theOrder above named is to consist in all time coming, all honours, dignities,titles, privileges, additions, and others, which either have in time pastbelonged to the Most Noble Order of the Thistle, or which His Majesty shalldeclare to belong thereunto in time coming, as an evident proof that nodutiful or faithful service done by His people shall be past over withoutsuitable return of bounty, honour, and favour from him. And His Majestyordains the said Letter patent to be past under the Great Seal aforesaid persaltum, without passing any other Register or Seal; in order whereunto, thesepresents shall be to the Director of His Majesty’s Chancellary, and theirDeputes for writing of the same, and to the Lord High Chancellor, for causingthe Great Seal to be appended thereunto, a sufficient Warrant. Given at theCourt at Windsor, the 29th day of May 1687, and of His Majesty’s reign thethird year.”