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National Emblems:

1.    England - The rosę - Henry VIII installed It as a royal emblem In

an attempt to bring together the rlvalling factions of Lancastrians

and Yorkists

-    Both Lancasters and Yorks, had a rosę (only different In colour: Lancaster - red, York - white) on their coats of arms, hence the name of the struggle - The War of the Roses.

-    The rosę is a symbol of The Labour Party

-    Rosę also appears on the shirts of British Rugby players

2.    Scotland - The thistle - accepted as a national emblem In 13^th cent

-    According to the legend, a Vlking invader trod on the thistle while creeplng onto the Scottlsh castle and crled out of pain, which alerted the defenders and allowed them to repel the attack.

-    The order of the Thistle was founded by king James V In 1540 (although there are many claims stating that the order is much older). It consisted of a king and twelve knights and its organisation was to reflect Jesus Christ and the apostles. The present "version" of the order conslsts, sińce 1687, of a sovereign and sixteen knights / ladies. Queen Elisabeth II is at present the sovereign of the Order.

-    The Order's motto is: Nemo me impune lacessit (No one provokes/attacks me with impunity)

-    The bluebell - is also sometimes said to be a national flower of Scotland.

3.    Wales - The leek - Is Welsh national emblem

-    According to the legend, St David advised the Welsh, on the eve of battle with the Saxons, to wear leeks in their caps to distinguish friend from foe.

-    As Shakespeare records in Henry V, the Welsh archers wore leeks at the battle of Agincourt in 1415.

-    The Daffodill - is recognised as the national flower and is

traditionally worn by the Welsh on St. David's Day

4.    N. Ireland (the whole of Ireland actually) - Shamrock - a plant very

similar to three-leaved clover, but, in fact, not a clover.