Although Regulus has served as the title of the College magazine since 2006, its roots in St Andrew’s history reach back to the earliest days of the school’s identity and traditions.
Since the College Song was composed in 1929 by music master, Alfred Worsley, with lyrics by teacher, Tom Stuart-Menteath, thousands of students have, and continue to, sing the words, “When Regulus to Angus bore at King’s Mount by the Great North Sea, St Andrew’s relics and the Lore of Truth to set the heathen free …”
The Regulus referenced in the song is another name for St Rule, a 4th-century monk – or possibly bishop – from Patras, Greece. According to legend, in 345 AD Regulus was warned in a dream that the Roman Emperor Constantine planned to move the relics of St Andrew to Constantinople. In response, Regulus took some of the saint’s relics and set sail. He was reportedly shipwrecked off the east coast of Scotland landing at a site later known as St Andrews. It became a major religious place, with a large cathedral built to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims and clergy. This story remains a powerful part of Scottish folklore.
This Regulus story is also connected to the origin of the Saltire – a diagonal cross which represents Saint Andrew, who was martyred on an X-shaped cross. As King Angus of the Scots prayed for victory while facing a much larger force of Saxons in 832 AD, a white saltire (X-shaped cross) appeared in the blue sky – interpreted as a sign of Saint Andrew’s protection. Inspired by this vision, the Scots famously won the battle. In gratitude, King Angus vowed that Saint Andrew would be the patron saint of Scotland, and the white saltire on a blue field would be its symbol. The white cross, or Saltire, is believed to be the oldest flag in Europe.
In 2006, Harvey Lee Thomas, the College’s ninth rector, chose the name Regulus for the new magazine, in reference to the legend in the College Song and because the Latin word regulus means regular. He wrote he was seeking a “more structured method of communication with the wider St Andrew’s family which will be more regular and ongoing.”
The first issue of Regulus was distributed to the St Andrew’s community in March 2006 and today the magazine is produced three times a year, celebrating and communicating the achievements, successes, events, community spirit, and educational developments at the College.