THE SCARLET TRADITION

Shannon News, 18 September 1928, Page 4

THE SCARLET TRADITION

A writer in the "Glasgow Weekly Herald" states the following about tho origin of scarlet for everything to do with the post office:—lt is interesting to remember that the adoption of scarlet dates from the time of Richard til, who established * system of royal couriers for the immediate transmission of intelligence, during the Scottish campaign in 1482. These couriers were uniformed in scarlet, and were undoubtedly the first germ of our present pos.tal system, and ever since the colour has been kept the same. Red was worn, of course, because it has always been the royal colour of England, hence its adoption by the Army, by the Judges, and by civic authorities. When Henry VIII formed a bodyguard of 50 men, their uniform was scarlet \vith|iHuch gold decoration. And scarlet is the hunting colour, because Henry II ordained that following tho hounds was a royal sport, and that anyone indulging in it must wear the royal colour. It is very curious to think of the number of years that have elapsed since then, and that still the scarlet coats belong to the huntsmen as. of old. There's something in tradition after all!