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In my defens God me defend (Scottish Gaelic: Ann an Dia mo dhìon dìon mi) 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, in defence.^[3] The motto appears above the crest of the arms, in the tradition of Scottish heraldry.^[4]^[5]

Origins

Adopted during the reign of the Stewart dynasty, and certainly in use by the reign of James IV (1488–1513),^[6] In my defens God me defend was originally the only motto associated with Scotland's royal arms,^[7] with versions appearing in both truncated and abbreviated forms;^[8] In my defens, for example, having been adopted for the royal arms of James IV. (An embroidered wall hanging depicting these arms is displayed in the Great Hall at Stirling Castle). Later versions of the arms which feature the abbreviated form in defens include the armorial by Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount, which appears in his Register of Scottish Arms (1542).

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...^[9]

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.

^[10]

Also, in the form of a couplet:

In my defense God me defend
and bring my saulle to ane guid end O Lord.^[11]

Another variation of the phrase, appearing as Be my defens God me defend forever more, is to be found engraved upon a number of traditional Ballock knives, with one particular example (dated 1624) now forming part of the Arms and Armour collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.^[12]

Nemo me impune lacessit

During the reign of Charles II (1660–1685), the royal arms used in Scotland were augmented with the inclusion of the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle,^[3] the highest chivalric order of the Kingdom of Scotland.^[13] The motto of the Order of the Thistle, Nemo me impune lacessit, appears on a blue scroll overlying the compartment.^[14] (Previously, only the collar of the Order of the Thistle had appeared on the arms.)

The addition by King Charles of Nemo me impune lacessit ensured that the blazon of his royal arms used in Scotland complemented that of his royal arms used elsewhere, in that two mottoes were displayed. The blazon used elsewhere had included the French motto of the arms, Dieu et mon droit, together with the Old French motto of the Order of the Garter, the highest chivalric order of the Kingdom of England. The motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi soit qui mal y pense, appears on a representation of the garter surrounding the shield. Thenceforth, the versions of the Royal arms used in Scotland and elsewhere were to include both the motto of the arms of the respective kingdom and the motto of the associated order of chivalry.

Confusion

The rules governing heraldry and armorial achievements in England have possibly resulted in a degree 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 heraldry the motto is placed above the crest.^[15] 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^[16] would suggest that In my defens God me defend is the motto of the royal arms and therefore the motto of Scotland itself.^{[citation needed]}

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.

References

^ Nichols, John (1823). "The Progress and Public Processions of Queen Elizabeth, by John Nichols". Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
^ Coke, Sir Edward (1671). "The Fourth part of the Institutes of Laws of England: Concerning the Jurisdiction of Courts, by Edward Coke". Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
^ ^a ^b McKenzie, Raymond (2002). Public Sculpture of Glasgow by Ray McKenzie, Gary Nisbet. Liverpool University Press. ISBN 9780853239376. Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
^ "The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada". Archived from the original on 17 May 2007.
^ "International Civic Heraldry". Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
^ Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (PDF). Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. p. 171. Archived from the original on 11 June 2007. over it an open royal crown, above which there is the remains of a scroll, showing apparently the letters . . . FENS: the termination of the inscription IN DEFENS — Above the head, and outside the horns of the unicorns, we have on the right side the letter I, and on the left the figure four, the ancient form of the fourth figure, being the initials of Jacobus IV.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ Ames, Joseph (1790). Typographical Antiquities: an historical account of printing in England. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. p. 1519. ISBN 9781843713586.
^ "National Museums of Scotland – Book stamp associated with James VI". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
^ "Electric Scotland". Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
^ "Annals of Banff: Index to old cemetery-Grave #423". Archived from the original on 16 October 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
^ The Whole Book: Cultural Perspectives on the Medieval Miscellany by Stephen G. Nichols, Siegfried Wenzel – 1996 – Bodleian Library MS Arch. Selden B.24: A "Transitional" Collection. A S G Edwards – Appendix: Bodleian MS Arch f. 231v Archived 25 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 28 July 2008
^ My Armoury Archived 15 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 28 July 2008
^ "British Monarchy web site". Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
^ Heraldry – The Arms of the Earl of Dundee Archived 27 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine (taken from a book "Scottish Heraldry" by MD Dennis, published in 1999 by the Heraldic Society of Scotland: ISBN 0-9525258-2-8)
^ "Cheshire-Heraldry". Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008. the Scottish matriculation of Arms [...] differ from an English grant in that the motto is above the crest.
^ "Cayman Islands Govt". Archived from the original on 23 April 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2008. The Motto and its scroll may be of any colour, and may be shown either below the shield, English style, or above the crest, Scottish fashion.

External links

Arms on publication dated 1606 showing full motto Archived 7 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine
Wood carving of arms of Mary, Queen of Scots, showing full motto

[1] Nichols, John (1823). "The Progress and Public Processions of Queen Elizabeth, by John Nichols". Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.

[2] Coke, Sir Edward (1671). "The Fourth part of the Institutes of Laws of England: Concerning the Jurisdiction of Courts, by Edward Coke". Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.

[books.google.co.uk-3] McKenzie, Raymond (2002). Public Sculpture of Glasgow by Ray McKenzie, Gary Nisbet. Liverpool University Press. ISBN 9780853239376. Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.

[4] "The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada". Archived from the original on 17 May 2007.

[5] "International Civic Heraldry". Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2008.

[6] Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (PDF). Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. p. 171. Archived from the original on 11 June 2007. over it an open royal crown, above which there is the remains of a scroll, showing apparently the letters . . . FENS: the termination of the inscription IN DEFENS — Above the head, and outside the horns of the unicorns, we have on the right side the letter I, and on the left the figure four, the ancient form of the fourth figure, being the initials of Jacobus IV.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

[7] Ames, Joseph (1790). Typographical Antiquities: an historical account of printing in England. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. p. 1519. ISBN 9781843713586.

[8] "National Museums of Scotland – Book stamp associated with James VI". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2008.

[9] "Electric Scotland". Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008.

[10] "Annals of Banff: Index to old cemetery-Grave #423". Archived from the original on 16 October 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.

[11] The Whole Book: Cultural Perspectives on the Medieval Miscellany by Stephen G. Nichols, Siegfried Wenzel – 1996 – Bodleian Library MS Arch. Selden B.24: A "Transitional" Collection. A S G Edwards – Appendix: Bodleian MS Arch f. 231v Archived 25 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 28 July 2008

[12] My Armoury Archived 15 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 28 July 2008

[13] "British Monarchy web site". Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008.

[14] Heraldry – The Arms of the Earl of Dundee Archived 27 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine (taken from a book "Scottish Heraldry" by MD Dennis, published in 1999 by the Heraldic Society of Scotland: ISBN 0-9525258-2-8)

[15] "Cheshire-Heraldry". Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008. the Scottish matriculation of Arms [...] differ from an English grant in that the motto is above the crest.

[16] "Cayman Islands Govt". Archived from the original on 23 April 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2008. The Motto and its scroll may be of any colour, and may be shown either below the shield, English style, or above the crest, Scottish fashion.

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+{{Short description|Motto of the Kingdom of Scotland}}
 {{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
 {{Italic title}}
+[[File:James IV Arms.jpg|thumb|right|Arms of [[James IV of Scotland|James IV, King of Scots]], showing the truncated form {{lang|sco|In my defens}}]]
-[[File:James IV Arms.jpg|thumb|right|Arms of [[James IV of Scotland|James IV, King of Scots]], showing the truncated form ''In my defens'']]'''''In my defens God me defend''''' ({{lang-gd|Ann an Dia no dhìon dìon mi}}) is the [[motto]] of both the [[Royal coat of arms of Scotland|royal coat of arms]] of the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] and [[royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom]] used in [[Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=82cNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA514 |title=The Progress and Public Processions of Queen Elizabeth, by John Nichols |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430112905/https://books.google.com/books?id=82cNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA514 |archive-date=30 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XlE0AAAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PT218 |title=The Fourth part of the Institutes of Laws of England: Concerning the Jurisdiction of Courts, by Edward Coke |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617095916/https://books.google.com/books?id=XlE0AAAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PT218 |archive-date=17 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Contemporary versions of the royal arms show an abbreviated motto, in the form of ''in defens'' or, where [[English language|English]] is used as an alternative, ''in defence''.<ref name="books.google.co.uk">{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5szc9GBZLwwC&pg=RA3-PA462 |title=Public Sculpture of Glasgow by Ray McKenzie, Gary Nisbet |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501083318/https://books.google.com/books?id=5szc9GBZLwwC&pg=RA3-PA462 |archive-date=1 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The motto appears above the [[Crest (heraldry)|crest]] of the arms, in the tradition of [[Scottish heraldry]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20070517165119/http://www.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project-pic.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=331&ProjectElementID=1125 The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/scot/scot-nat.htm |title=International Civic Heraldry |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010015211/http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/scot/scot-nat.htm |archive-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+'''{{lang|sco|In my defens God me defend}}''' ({{langx|gd|Ann an Dia mo dhìon dìon mi}}) is the [[motto]] of both the [[Royal coat of arms of Scotland|royal coat of arms]] of the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] and [[royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom]] used in [[Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=82cNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA514 |title=The Progress and Public Processions of Queen Elizabeth, by John Nichols |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430112905/https://books.google.com/books?id=82cNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA514 |archive-date=30 April 2016 |url-status=live |last1=Nichols |first1=John |year=1823 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XlE0AAAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PT218 |title=The Fourth part of the Institutes of Laws of England: Concerning the Jurisdiction of Courts, by Edward Coke |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617095916/https://books.google.com/books?id=XlE0AAAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PT218 |archive-date=17 June 2016 |url-status=live |last1=Coke |first1=Sir Edward |year=1671 }}</ref> Contemporary versions of the royal arms show an abbreviated motto, in the form of ''in defens'' or, where [[English language|English]] is used as an alternative, ''in defence''.<ref name="books.google.co.uk">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5szc9GBZLwwC&pg=RA3-PA462 |title=Public Sculpture of Glasgow by Ray McKenzie, Gary Nisbet |isbn=9780853239376 |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501083318/https://books.google.com/books?id=5szc9GBZLwwC&pg=RA3-PA462 |archive-date=1 May 2016 |url-status=live |last1=McKenzie |first1=Raymond |year=2002 |publisher=Liverpool University Press }}</ref> The motto appears above the [[Crest (heraldry)|crest]] of the arms, in the tradition of [[Scottish heraldry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project-pic.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=331&ProjectElementID=1125 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20070517165119/http://www.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project-pic.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=331&ProjectElementID=1125 |archivedate=2007-05-17 |title=The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/scot/scot-nat.htm |title=International Civic Heraldry |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010015211/http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/scot/scot-nat.htm |archive-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 == Origins ==
+[[File:Cannon with Scottish arms.jpg|thumb|[[Charles II of Scotland|Charles II]]-era cannon, with "IN DEFENCE" at top]]
-Adopted during the reign of the [[Stewart dynasty]], and certainly in use by the reign of [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]] (1488–1513),<ref>{{cite book|title=Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |publisher=Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |page=171 |quote=over it an open royal crown, above which there is the remains of a scroll, showing apparently the letters . . . FENS: the termination of the inscription IN DEFENS — Above the head, and outside the horns of the unicorns, we have on the right side the letter I, and on the left the figure four, the ancient form of the fourth figure, being the initials of Jacobus IV. |url=http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_002/2_166_175.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611102349/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_002/2_166_175.pdf |archivedate=11 June 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> "In my defens God me defend" was originally the only motto associated with Scotland's royal arms,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/typographicalan00amesgoog/page/n224 <!-- pg=1519 --> ''Typographical Antiquities: an historical account of printing in England''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424102538/https://books.google.com/books?id=SwsIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA1519 |date=24 April 2016 }}, by [[Joseph Ames (author)|Joseph Ames]]</ref> with versions appearing in both truncated and abbreviated forms;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?scache=1cneew9jvb&searchdb=scran&usi=000-100-002-660-C |title=National Museums of Scotland – Book stamp associated with James VI |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723154924/http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?scache=1cneew9jvb&searchdb=scran&usi=000-100-002-660-C |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''In my defens'', for example, having been adopted for the royal arms of James IV. (An [[Embroidery|embroidered]] wall hanging depicting these arms is displayed in the Great Hall at [[Stirling Castle]]). Later versions of the arms which feature the abbreviated form ''IN DEFENS'' include the armorial by [[David Lyndsay|Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount]], which appears in his ''Register of Scottish Arms'' (1542).
+Adopted during the reign of the [[Stewart dynasty]], and certainly in use by the reign of [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]] (1488–1513),<ref>{{cite book|title=Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |publisher=Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |page=171 |quote=over it an open royal crown, above which there is the remains of a scroll, showing apparently the letters . . . FENS: the termination of the inscription IN DEFENS — Above the head, and outside the horns of the unicorns, we have on the right side the letter I, and on the left the figure four, the ancient form of the fourth figure, being the initials of Jacobus IV. |url=http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_002/2_166_175.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611102349/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_002/2_166_175.pdf |archivedate=11 June 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> {{lang|sco|In my defens God me defend}} was originally the only motto associated with Scotland's royal arms,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/typographicalan00amesgoog/page/n224 |page=1519 |title=Typographical Antiquities: an historical account of printing in England |author-link=Joseph Ames (author) |first=Joseph |last=Ames|year=1790 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing Plc |isbn=9781843713586 }}</ref> with versions appearing in both truncated and abbreviated forms;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?scache=1cneew9jvb&searchdb=scran&usi=000-100-002-660-C |title=National Museums of Scotland – Book stamp associated with James VI |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723154924/http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?scache=1cneew9jvb&searchdb=scran&usi=000-100-002-660-C |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{lang|sco|In my defens}}, for example, having been adopted for the royal arms of James IV. (An [[Embroidery|embroidered]] wall hanging depicting these arms is displayed in the Great Hall at [[Stirling Castle]]). Later versions of the arms which feature the abbreviated form {{lang|sco|in defens}} include the armorial by [[David Lyndsay|Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount]], which appears in his ''Register of Scottish Arms'' (1542).
 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:
-{{quote|<poem>In my defence God me defend
+{{quote|<poem>{{lang|sco|In my defence God me defend
 And bring my sawl to ane good end
-ane vertuous lyf procureth ane happie death...<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.electricscotland.com/History/women/scottish_women_chapter3.htm |title=Electric Scotland |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513030630/http://www.electricscotland.com/history/women/scottish_women_chapter3.htm |archive-date=13 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref></poem>}}
+ane vertuous lyf procureth ane happie death...}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.electricscotland.com/History/women/scottish_women_chapter3.htm |title=Electric Scotland |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513030630/http://www.electricscotland.com/history/women/scottish_women_chapter3.htm |archive-date=13 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref></poem>}}
 And:
-{{quote|<poem>In my defence God me defend
+{{quote|<poem>{{lang|sco|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gen.deltanz.net/banff/Banff6.html#413 |title=Annals of Banff: Index to old cemetery-Grave #423 |access-date=26 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016010528/http://gen.deltanz.net/banff/Banff6.html#413 |archive-date=16 October 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref></poem>}}
+Father of Heaven have mercy on me.}}</poem><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gen.deltanz.net/banff/Banff6.html#413 |title=Annals of Banff: Index to old cemetery-Grave #423 |access-date=26 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016010528/http://gen.deltanz.net/banff/Banff6.html#413 |archive-date=16 October 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
 Also, in the form of a [[couplet]]:
-{{quote|<poem>In my defense God me defend
+{{quote|<poem>{{lang|sco|In my defense God me defend
-and bring my saulle to ane guid end O Lord.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=orC1R2H5iKwC&dq=Cultural+Perspectives+on+the+Medieval+Miscellany&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=QCBMVt0F6t&sig=P15pb4MCcMD3JXtTnXvb0y0d9Pg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPP1,M1 The Whole Book: Cultural Perspectives on the Medieval Miscellany by Stephen G. Nichols, Siegfried Wenzel – 1996 – Bodleian Library MS Arch. Selden B.24: A "Transitional" Collection. ''A S G Edwards – Appendix: Bodleian MS Arch f. 231v''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425152603/https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=orC1R2H5iKwC&dq=Cultural+Perspectives+on+the+Medieval+Miscellany&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=QCBMVt0F6t&sig=P15pb4MCcMD3JXtTnXvb0y0d9Pg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPP1,M1 |date=25 April 2016 }} Accessed 28 July 2008</ref></poem>}}
+and bring my saulle to ane guid end O Lord.}}<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=orC1R2H5iKwC&q=Cultural+Perspectives+on+the+Medieval+Miscellany&pg=PP1 The Whole Book: Cultural Perspectives on the Medieval Miscellany by Stephen G. Nichols, Siegfried Wenzel – 1996 – Bodleian Library MS Arch. Selden B.24: A "Transitional" Collection. ''A S G Edwards – Appendix: Bodleian MS Arch f. 231v''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425152603/https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=orC1R2H5iKwC&dq=Cultural+Perspectives+on+the+Medieval+Miscellany&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=QCBMVt0F6t&sig=P15pb4MCcMD3JXtTnXvb0y0d9Pg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPP1,M1 |date=25 April 2016 }} Accessed 28 July 2008</ref></poem>}}
-Another variation of the phrase, appearing as ''Be my defens God me defend forever more'', is to be found engraved upon a number of traditional [[Bollock dagger|Ballock knives]], with one particular example, (dated 1624), now forming part of the Arms and Armour collection of the [[Art Institute of Chicago]].<ref>[http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2843 My Armoury] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215203138/http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2843 |date=15 February 2008 }} Accessed 28 July 2008</ref>
+Another variation of the phrase, appearing as {{lang|sco|Be my defens God me defend forever more}}, is to be found engraved upon a number of traditional [[Bollock dagger|Ballock knives]], with one particular example (dated 1624) now forming part of the Arms and Armour collection of the [[Art Institute of Chicago]].<ref>[http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2843 My Armoury] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215203138/http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2843 |date=15 February 2008 }} Accessed 28 July 2008</ref>
 ==''Nemo me impune lacessit''==
-[[File:Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Scotland).svg|thumb|right|Arms of [[Elizabeth II]], showing {{lang|la|[[Nemo me impune lacessit]]}} in addition to ''in defens'']]
+{{main|Nemo me impune lacessit|Dieu et mon droit|Honi soit qui mal y pense}}
+[[File:Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Scotland).svg|thumb|right|Arms of [[Charles III]], showing {{lang|la|[[Nemo me impune lacessit]]}} in addition to ''in defens'']]
-During the reign of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] (1660–1685), the royal arms used in Scotland were augmented with the inclusion of the [[Latin]] motto of the [[Order of the Thistle]],<ref name="books.google.co.uk"/> the highest [[Chivalric order]] of the Kingdom of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page3588.asp |title=British Monarchy web site |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122003824/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page3588.asp |archive-date=22 November 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> The motto of the Order of the Thistle, ''[[Nemo me impune lacessit]]'', appears on a blue [[scroll]] overlying the [[Compartment (heraldry)|compartment]].<ref>[http://www.scrimgeour.co.uk/clan/scrim/scriminfo/heraldry/scrimheraldry.htm Heraldry – The Arms of the Earl of Dundee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827193300/http://www.scrimgeour.co.uk/clan/scrim/scriminfo/heraldry/scrimheraldry.htm |date=27 August 2008 }} (taken from a book "Scottish Heraldry" by MD Dennis, published in 1999 by the Heraldic Society of Scotland: {{ISBN|0-9525258-2-8}})</ref> (Previously, only the [[Livery collar|collar]] of the Order of the Thistle had appeared on the arms.)
+During the reign of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] (1660–1685), the royal arms used in Scotland were augmented with the inclusion of the [[Latin]] motto of the [[Order of the Thistle]],<ref name="books.google.co.uk"/> the highest [[chivalric order]] of the Kingdom of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page3588.asp |title=British Monarchy web site |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122003824/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page3588.asp |archive-date=22 November 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> The motto of the Order of the Thistle, ''[[Nemo me impune lacessit]]'', appears on a blue [[scroll]] overlying the [[Compartment (heraldry)|compartment]].<ref>[http://www.scrimgeour.co.uk/clan/scrim/scriminfo/heraldry/scrimheraldry.htm Heraldry – The Arms of the Earl of Dundee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827193300/http://www.scrimgeour.co.uk/clan/scrim/scriminfo/heraldry/scrimheraldry.htm |date=27 August 2008 }} (taken from a book "Scottish Heraldry" by MD Dennis, published in 1999 by the Heraldic Society of Scotland: {{ISBN|0-9525258-2-8}})</ref> (Previously, only the [[Livery collar|collar]] of the Order of the Thistle had appeared on the arms.)
-The addition by King Charles of {{lang|la|Nemo me impune lacessit}} ensured that the [[blazon]] of his royal arms used in Scotland complemented that of his royal arms used elsewhere, in that two mottoes were displayed. The blazon used elsewhere had included the French motto of the arms, ''[[Dieu et mon droit]]'', together with the [[Old French]] motto of the [[Order of the Garter]], the highest chivalric order of the [[Kingdom of England]]. The motto of the Order of the Garter, {{lang|la|[[Honi soit qui mal y pense]]}}, appears on a representation of the [[Garter (stockings)|garter]] surrounding the [[Shield (heraldry)|shield]]. Henceforth, the versions of the Royal arms used in Scotland and elsewhere were to include both the motto of the arms of the respective kingdom ''and'' the motto of the associated order of chivalry.
+The addition by King Charles of {{lang|la|Nemo me impune lacessit}} ensured that the [[blazon]] of his royal arms used in Scotland complemented that of his royal arms used elsewhere, in that two mottoes were displayed. The blazon used elsewhere had included the French motto of the arms, ''[[Dieu et mon droit]]'', together with the [[Old French]] motto of the [[Order of the Garter]], the highest chivalric order of the [[Kingdom of England]]. The motto of the Order of the Garter, {{lang|la|[[Honi soit qui mal y pense]]}}, appears on a representation of the [[Garter (stockings)|garter]] surrounding the [[Shield (heraldry)|shield]]. Thenceforth, the versions of the Royal arms used in Scotland and elsewhere were to include both the motto of the arms of the respective kingdom ''and'' the motto of the associated order of chivalry.
 == Confusion ==
-The rules governing [[heraldry]] and armorial achievements in England have possibly resulted in a degree 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 heraldry the motto is placed above the crest.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk/lesson.html |title=Cheshire-Heraldry |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516190900/http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk/lesson.html |archive-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cayman.gov.ky/servlet/page?_pageid=765&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&_mode=3&orgcode=6 |title=Cayman Islands Govt. |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060423081315/http://www.cayman.gov.ky/servlet/page?_pageid=765&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&_mode=3&orgcode=6 |archive-date=23 April 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> would suggest that ''In my defens God me defend'' is the motto of the royal arms and therefore the motto of Scotland itself.{{cn|date=August 2017}}
+The rules governing [[heraldry]] and armorial achievements in England have possibly resulted in a degree 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 heraldry the motto is placed above the crest.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk/lesson.html |title=Cheshire-Heraldry |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516190900/http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk/lesson.html |archive-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=live |quote=the Scottish matriculation of Arms [...] differ from an English grant in that the motto is above the crest.}}</ref> 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<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cayman.gov.ky/servlet/page?_pageid=765&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&_mode=3&orgcode=6 |title=Cayman Islands Govt. |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060423081315/http://www.cayman.gov.ky/servlet/page?_pageid=765&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&_mode=3&orgcode=6 |archive-date=23 April 2006 |url-status=dead |quote=The Motto and its scroll may be of any colour, and may be shown either below the shield, English style, or above the crest, Scottish fashion.}}</ref> would suggest that ''In my defens God me defend'' is the motto of the royal arms and therefore the motto of Scotland itself.{{cn|date=August 2017}}
 == Usage ==
 [[File:Crest of the Kingdom of Scotland.svg|thumb|right|Crest and motto]]
 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]].
-== See also ==
-*''[[Dieu et mon droit]]''
-*[[Royal coat of arms of Scotland]]
-*[[Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom]]
-*[[Scotland]]
-*[[Kingdom of Scotland]]
-*[[Order of the Thistle]]
 == References ==
@@ Line 51: / Line 47: @@
 == External links ==
-*[http://www.wwp.brown.edu/encoding/training/titlepage/melvill.gif Arms on publication dated 1606 showing full motto]
+*[http://www.wwp.brown.edu/encoding/training/titlepage/melvill.gif Arms on publication dated 1606 showing full motto] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407054115/http://www.wwp.brown.edu/encoding/training/titlepage/melvill.gif |date=7 April 2017 }}
 *[http://www.dorothydunnett.co.uk/2006AGM/mqos-arms-600.jpg Wood carving of arms of Mary, Queen of Scots, showing full motto]
@@ Line 58: / Line 54: @@
 {{Coats of arms of Europe}}
+[[Category:Monarchy of the United Kingdom]]
+[[Category:National mottos]]
+[[Category:National symbols of Scotland]]
 [[Category:Scottish monarchy]]
-[[Category:British monarchy]]
-[[Category:National coats of arms|Scotland]]
-[[Category:National symbols of Scotland]]
-[[Category:National symbols of the United Kingdom]]
-[[Category:National mottos]]

v t e Coats of arms of the United Kingdom and dependencies
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom
Constituent countries	England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
Overseas territories	Anguilla Bermuda British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Falkland Islands Gibraltar Montserrat Pitcairn Islands Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Helena Ascension Island Tristan da Cunha South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Turks and Caicos Islands
Crown Dependencies	Guernsey Alderney Herm Sark Jersey Isle of Man

v t e Royal heraldry in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom	Royal coat of arms Royal Standard Cadency labels of the Royal Family Imperial State Crown The Lion and the Unicorn The Queen's Beasts
England	Royal arms Standards Honi soit qui mal y pense Dieu et mon droit St Edward's Crown Tudor Crown Badges (Tudor rose) Supporters College of Arms
Scotland	Royal arms Royal Banner Nemo me impune lacessit In My Defens God Me Defend Crown of Scotland Honours of Scotland Heraldic Thistle Order of the Thistle Unicorn Supporters Court of the Lord Lyon
Wales	Royal Badge Coat of arms of the Prince of Wales Prince of Wales's feathers Welsh Dragon
Monarchy of the United Kingdom Heraldry

v t e Coats of arms of Europe
Sovereign states	Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Vatican City
States with limited recognition	Abkhazia Kosovo Northern Cyprus South Ossetia Transnistria
Dependencies and other entities	Åland Faroe Islands Gibraltar Guernsey Isle of Man Jersey Svalbard
Other entities	European Union Sovereign Military Order of Malta