White Cockade

[macwilkin]

There is a re-enactment/living history organization in Scotland called the
"White Cockade Society". Their mission is to celebrate the Jacobite peiod of history and commemorate the "Old Alliance". Quite frankly in this day and time, I am not sure why anyone would wear this device unless you are part of a group such as the WCS.

Well, if you're a supporter of Franz, Duke of Bavaria as the current Jacobite heir...why not?

T.

[RussellSm]

Why???

[macwilkin]

Deleted; see next post.

[macwilkin]

In looking back at my most recent post, I failed to explain that there are several "Jacobite" societies at present that do recognize Franz's claim to the Jacobite throne, although the Duke of Bavaria himself has not made any claim on that of his ancestors. Members of these organizations, such as the Royal Stuart Society, might choose to wear the white cockade as a symbolism of their personal beliefs.

A number of years ago I was a member of the Society of Charles the Martyr, an Anglican devotional society to the martyred Charles Stuart. The society's tie featured a Jacobite white rose, which the cockade symbolises. When I attended a Mass honouring the Martyred Charles, I wore a white cockade on my bonnet.


T.

[RussellSm]

I encourage you all to read the poem below.

THE CONQUERED BANNER
by Abram Joseph Ryan
(1838-1886)

Furl that Banner, for 'tis weary;
Round its staff 'tis drooping dreary;
Furl it, fold it, it is best;
For there's not a man to wave it,
And there's not a sword to save it,
And there's no one left to lave it
In the blood that heroes gave it;
And its foes now scorn and brave it;
Furl it, hide it--let it rest!

Take that banner down! 'tis tattered;
Broken is its shaft and shattered;
And the valiant hosts are scattered
Over whom it floated high.
Oh! 'tis hard for us to fold it;
Hard to think there's none to hold it;
Hard that those who once unrolled it
Now must furl it with a sigh.

Furl that banner! furl it sadly!
Once ten thousands hailed it gladly.
And ten thousands wildly, madly,
Swore it should forever wave;
Swore that foeman's sword should never
Hearts like theirs entwined dissever,
Till that flag should float forever
O'er their freedom or their grave!

Furl it! for the hands that grasped it,
And the hearts that fondly clasped it,
Cold and dead are lying low;
And that Banner--it is trailing!
While around it sounds the wailing
Of its people in their woe.

For, though conquered, they adore it!
Love the cold, dead hands that bore it!
Weep for those who fell before it!
Pardon those who trailed and tore it!
But, oh! wildly they deplored it!
Now who furl and fold it so.

Furl that Banner! True, 'tis gory,
Yet 'tis wreathed around with glory,
And 'twill live in song and story,
Though its folds are in the dust;
For its fame on brightest pages,
Penned by poets and by sages,
Shall go sounding down the ages--
Furl its folds though now we must.

Furl that banner, softly, slowly!
Treat it gently--it is holy--
For it droops above the dead.
Touch it not--unfold it never,
Let it droop there, furled forever,
For its people's hopes are dead!

[Mark E.]

I have found myself similarily conflicted with regard to historical accuracy...My folks backed King James first, in the 1715 Rising...I am attempting to adapt into an early 1700-1730's Jacobite role, and,well, the white rose/cocade that became symbolic to later Jacobite eras wasn't exactly existing then.

Mark

"God save King James!"
(he needs all the help he can get!)