In Scottish lore, it is said that the invading Viking King Haakon of Norway and his army were stopped by the thistle. In order to take advantage of the sleeping Scots, they planned to attack during the cover of darkness. In order to do so, they went barefooted. The Highlanders were awoken when one unlucky Viking stepped on the thorns of a thistle and cried out. Thus undoing the surprise, Haakon and his men were pushed back and defeated.
I think it's a charming story, that one spinose flower undid an army.
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