Plant Badges

[figheadair]

Well said, James.

I believe that oftentimes in battle, clansmen would gather a large bunch of the clan's plant and afix it to a pole, to be used as a rallying point in the heat of battle.

I don't think so. Apart for the fact that there is no evidence to support this, it's just not practical. Imagine trying to afix a large clump of Fir Club Moss to a pole. And even if one could would anyone else recognise it? No, this has all the hall marks of a James Logan, Sobieski Stuart or the like invention.

[macwilkin]

This thread reminds me of two incidents in military history; At the battle of Minden on 1 August 1759, British soldiers reportedly plucked roses and wore them in their hats as they went into combat. The event was commemorated by the regiments (including the old KOSBs) on the anniversary with officers & ORs wearing a rose in their hats.

At the battle of Fredericksburg in the American Civil
War, members of the Irish Brigade wore springs of
Boxwood in their hats as they made the disasterous
charge up Mayre's Heights.

Not really a connection to Highland clans, but certainly similar to the OP.

T.

[BoldHighlander]

This thread reminds me of two incidents in military history; At the battle of Minden on 1 August 1759, British soldiers reportedly plucked roses and wore them in their hats as they went into combat. The event was commemorated by the regiments (including the old KOSBs) on the anniversary with officers & ORs wearing a rose in their hats.

At the battle of Fredericksburg in the American Civil
War, members of the Irish Brigade wore springs of
Boxwood in their hats as they made the disasterous
charge up Mayre's Heights.

Not really a connection to Highland clans, but certainly similar to the OP.

T.

Add to that the sprigs of pine worn in the hats of Ferguson's Loyalists at the Battle of Kings Mountain in the American Revolution (the Overmountain Men, including my grandfather, wore pieces of paper in theirs for identification).

Patrick Ferguson was a Scotsman by the way