Scots Theme - Thistles, Crests. "Wha Daurs Meddle Wi' Me?"

Howard C. Scharfe and Marjorie Scharfe Hatpin Collection, Edinburgh crest memento hapin
Scots themes. Pittsburgh had many Scots families.

Places.

Edinburgh commemorative enamel hatpin, with the name "Edinburgh," beside a central top anchor, a unicorn on the right holding a symbol for Edinburgh Castle, on the rocks, and a lady on the left. Nothing like it at ://www.rampantscotland.com/symbols/blsymbols_crests.htm. Maybe just early 20th Century tourism. Or purchased on a whim while on the Grand Tour. See ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tour. Looks like it. Just a drawing of something else?

Yes and No. Here it is, in its formal version, at ://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/CEC/CorporateServices/CorporateCommunications/coatofarms/crest.html. The Arms of the City of Edinburgh Council - since early 1700's and updated periodically. Rules here are strict, even with updatings.
  • castle, three towers
  • anchor, for the Earl of Forth
  • banner, with "Nisi Dominus Frustra" or a contraction of an old verse, "Except the Lord in Vain" - fr0m Psalm 127
  • supporter on left: maiden, many tales, perhaps stemming from use of castle as refuge, even nunnery
  • supporter on right, a doe, see St. Giles
  • coronet over castle, for the statutory council of the city
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Symbols. Meet the thistle. It was first used on Scots coins in 1470, James III.

Scots history, and the thistle: For 600 years, Scotland was ruled by the Kingdom of Norway - and at the Battle of Largs, 1263, they were defeated. It is said (believe!) that a Norseman stepped on a thistle while the soldiers were attempting a secret advance, and called out, alerting the locals, the Scots. See ://www.mcgrorty.com/thistle.htm. Scots motto: "Nemo me impune lacessit!" or "Noone harms me without punishment!" says the mcgrorty site. Common translation: "Wha daurs meddle wi' me?"

Thistle, enamel inlay surround, thistle in center. One red enamel bit is missing on the left.












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Single thistle, purple (amethyst or glass?)










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Thistle badge form, topaz on thistle or deep yellow glass?
















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The thistle also appears on Queen Victoria's Scots Guards badge, see ://www.militarybadges.info/pages/uk/UK-1800.htm. There are also Third Foot Guards or Scots Guards with the thistle, see ://footguards.tripod.com/01ABOUT/01_Companies/01_companies00.htm. We think we might have some.

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