INCLUDING DETAILS IN RELATION TO THE RISE AND Observations respecting the Order of the Thistle BY THE REV. CHARLES ROGERS, D.D., LL.D. Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and of the Royal Society of Northern Associate of the Imperial Archæological Society of Russia, Member of the Historical Societies of Pennsylvania and Quebec, Honorary Member of the Historical Societies of Michigan, Chicago, and New Jersey, and of the And Corresponding Member of the Royal Society of Bohemia, Of the Historical Society of Berlin, of the American Ethnological Society, Of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia, Of the Historical and Genealogical Society of New England, Of the Royal Heraldic and Genealogical Society of Italy, LONDON PRINTED FOR THE BRITISH TOPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY 1882 INTRODUCTION. FROM the surface of an inland sea, about four miles in breadth, which at a prehistoric period covered the strath resting between the Ochil Hills and the heights of Bannock and the Lennox, jutted three islets, of which the most considerable became, long after the waters had receded, the site of a rude fortalice, latterly of a royal palace. At the dawn of history the place was known as Strivelyn, a compound word signifying a rock surrounded by a marsh. Such was its true description; but the swamp has ceased, while in the plain, now rich and verdant, meander the rivers Forth, Teith, and Allan, the delight of the angler and the glory of the poet. Topographically in the centre of Scotland, Stirling became a focus of the national life. In its castle the sovereign held court and council, in its streets were the dwellings of the nobles, and in its environs were practised the sports of chivalry. Within its Chapel Royal did kings delight to worship; it was their place of confession and the sanctuary of their household. Associated with regal power, Stirling Rock stood a |