ROYAL MOTTOES

Evening Star, Issue 19662, 15 September 1927, Page 9

ROYAL MOTTOES

HOW THEY ORIGINATED Tho motto used by Kicliard T. wal " Christo Duco.” “ Dieu et nion droit ” is supposed to have been originally a war cry or slogan, and is said to have been first uttered by Kicliard. Keierring to a victory in France, ho remarked : “ Not we, hut ‘ God and our right’ have vanrjuished Franco at Gisors.” it was not till the reign of Henry VI. that it was adopted as tha Royal motto (says a writer in tho Newea.dle ‘Weekly Chronicle’). This motto continued in use till the acces* sion of Mary, who chose “ Veritas Tern* poiisfilca.” This, however, was discarded wliou Elizabeth succeeded to tho throne. The Virgin Queen used the mottoes “ Rosa sine Spina” and “ Semper eadcun,” in addition to “ Dieu ct inou droit.” James I. made a change, and chose as his motto “ Beati pacifici.”' Since tho reign of the first Stuart “Dieu ot men droit” has been the permanent motto of the English Sovereigns, but they may have had in addition a personal one. Thus tho motto assumed by William and Mary was “Jo mcinticn dray,” and by Anno “ Semper cadoin.” The story of tho origin of the ostrich feather badge of idle’Prince of Wales is related hy San? ford in his description of the Battle of Grecy, and ho was relying on some older historian. But Sanford does not appear to have put much faith in the story, for lie says: “Others make it Prince Edward’s device, alluding to the words of the Apostle, _ ‘ That tha heir, while he is a child, differed!! nothing from a servant,’ and this is the more probable conjecture, seeing that Ilia feathers and this motto (* Ich Dion ’) have ever since been borne by our Prince of Wales, heirs apparent to the Icings of this realjn.” ft has been pointed out that tha seals of John of Bohemia bore as hi? crest the expanded wing of an eagle. That grout authority on heraldry, Sir N. 11. Nicholas, contends that the Garter motto “Honi soil cpii mal y penso ” should not be translated “Evil lie to him that evil thinks,” but “Dishonored be lie who thinks ill of it.” Th<» reference, it is suggested, was either to the expedition agahist Franco or to the order itaclf. If this lie correct, then the popular explanation which gave a dance room incident as the origin must be abandoned. Both the choice of the Garter and the motto are matters that are exceedingly obscure.