Without Impunity

Canon EOS 5D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Nemo me impune lacessit is Latin for “No one provokes me with impunity”. It is the motto of the Order of the Thistle – a Scottish order of chivalry.

Scotish legend states that long ago, an invading Viking hoard almost caught a sleeping Scottish army by surprise. However, an advancing Viking warrior stepped on a thistle with his bare feet, crying out in pain and waking the Scots, who then soundly defeated the Vikings.

In gratitude, the plant was named the Guardian Thistle and was adopted as the symbol of Scotland.

The thistle also played a role in the Scottish-Independence movie Braveheart. A gift of a thistle clip

“A Gift of a Thistle” composed by Jon Horner for the film can be heard here

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