Honi soit qui mal y pense
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Honi soit qui mal y pense is a maxim in the Anglo-Norman language, a dialect of Old Norman French spoken by the medieval ruling class in England, meaning "shamed be who thinks evil of it". Older trans
The motto appears in a royal coat of arms of the 17th century on the ceiling of Bath Abbey.
Hand fan of Queen Victoria with motto
Motto on cannon at Fort Denison, Sydney
Arms of John of Gaunt include the garter and the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense. Picture from a 16th-century depiction
The coat of arms of the United Kingdom, also referred to as the royal arms, are the arms of dominion of the British monarch, currently Charles III. They are used by the Government of the United Kingdo
Honi soit qui mal y pense
…entitled to encircle the escutcheon of their arms with the garter and motto (e.g. The 1st Duke of Marlborough). The latter usage can also be seen in the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, with the motto of the royal arms, Dieu et mon droit, being displayed on a scroll beneath the shield. As part of the royal arms, the motto is displayed…
The arms of James VI and I outside Scotland
Illustration of the royal arms prepared by the College of Arms for the approval of George III, in use from 1801 to 1816.
Detail of a bookplate used by Queen Victoria (1837–1901)
Detail of a stained glass window depicting the royal arms during the reign of Edward VII (1901–1910)