The Order of the Garter
Britain Oldest and Most Prestigious Order of Chivalry
© Kim Rush
Jun 11, 2009
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was introduced by King Edward III in 1348 in an attempt to resurrect the legendary King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. The Order initially consisted of 25 men and the king. The distinction was given to knights as a reward for loyalty and outstanding military service. The order was given its name because of the garter that members, known as the Knights Companion, wore.
The use of such an interesting symbol has given rise a number of legends concerning the origins. The most popular centers on the Countess of Salisbury who lost her garter during a court ball in Calais. King Edward retrieved the garter and rebuked those who laughed at the Countess with the phrase, “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (shame on him who thinks evil of it). This phrase, which became the motto of the Order, actually refers to the king’s claim to the French throne. Historians believe that the garter itself may derive from the straps used to fasten plates of armor.
Soon after its founding, a select group of women were chosen as “Ladies of the Garter.” Henry VII discontinued the practice in 1488, but it was revived by King Edward VII and subsequent queens were named to the Order. But it was not until 1987, that women were allowed to be Companions. In that year, Queen Elizabeth II issued a statute that women in the Order would be called “Ladies Companion of the Garter.”
Membership and Priviliges
Membership in the Order of the Garter is extremely limited. Only the monarch can appoint Companions. In addition to the Queen and the Prince of Wales, there are only 24 members. In addition, the Order contains supernumerary members who do not count toward the limit of 24 Companions. Any descendant of George I is eligible to be a supernumerary member and foreign monarchs. Members of the royal family are known as “Royal Knights and Ladies of the Garter.” Foreign monarchs are known as “Stranger Knights and Ladies of the Garter.”
Members are assigned precedence over all others of the knightly rank and above baronets. Knights may use “Sir” and the post-nominal letters, KG. Ladies may use “Lady” and LG. They may also encircle their arms with a garter.
Members of the Order are given stalls in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Here, they display their banner and stallplates. Each June, the members travel to Windsor Castle for Garter Day. The members attend a lunch at the Waterloo Chamber, then walk in procession to a service at St. George’s Chapel where any vacancies are filled.
Insignia
For Garter Day and other ceremonial occasions, members wear elaborate vestments, including a dark blue mantle lined with white taffeta, a black velvet hat with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers and a gold collar comprised of gold knots and rose encircled by a garter. The George, a three-dimensional figure of St. George on horseback, is suspended from the collar and the Garter is worn on the left calf by Knights and the left arm by the Ladies. The Garter is a dark blue velvet strap with the motto of the Order in gold.
For less formal occasions, members wear simpler vestments. The collar is worn on designated collar days. The Star is worn pinned to on the left breast. The Star depicts the shield of St. George encircled by the Garter on an eight point silver badge. The Riband is a sash that is worn over the left shoulder. Finally, the Badge, also known as the “Lesser George”, is worn attached to the Riband at the right hip. It shows St. George killing a dragon, but is gold and flatter than the George.
With the exceptions of extreme circumstances, a member is the Order is a member for life. The sovereign may, however, “degrade” any member who is convicted of a serious crime. For example, during World War I, the Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany had his membership revoked. When a member dies, his or her badge and star are returned by the sovereign to the nearest male relative. The other insignia is returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. Their stallplates remain in St. George’s chapel.
Sources:
Bergent, Peter J. and Hubert Chesshyre. The Most Noble Order of the Garter: 650 Years. London: Spink & Son Ltd., 1999.
"The Most Noble Order of the Garter," The College of St. George (accessed June 10, 2009)
"Order of the Garter," The Official Website of the British Monarchy (accessed June 10, 2009)
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