| Comment | Bear in mind too, though, the Orange Order was actually proscribed for much of those 200 years - it was banned (along with the catholic Ribbonists) within a few years of its formation, and the current incarnation is a reformation from the early 20th century that successfully lobbied government for legitimacy and gained it under dubious means.
It's always danced along the fine edge of legitimacy and militancy, it's just got a lot better at distancing itself.
Arguably the only reason why we see a lot more marching on the protestant side is because the parallel catholic groups never managed the same political feat - not surprising given the obvious leanings of the British state. |
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