The Most Noble Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter is the highest ranking order of chivalry in England and of the United Kingdom. It is also the oldest order, being created in 1348 by Edward III. The award is a present given at the Monarch discretion and membership is limited to the Monarch, Heir to the Throne, supernumerary members (members of the Royal Family and foreign Monarchs), and 24 knights/ladies given the award. All appointments are announced on St, George's Day, 23rd April, as St. George is the patron saint of England.
The order was created by King Edward III in 1348, but it is believed to have been created as early as 1344. It is believed that the origin dates back from Edward III picking up a garter which fell off the leg of the Countess of Salisbury at a court ball at Calais. Courtiers surrounded her and sneered her and then Edward III picked it up and said; "Honi Soit, Qui Mal y Pense", meaning "Shamed be the person who thinks evil of it". The origin could also date back to King Richard I who would tie garters around the legs of knights who were victorious in their battles during the Crusades. The Order of the Garter could also have been created during Edward III's claim to the French Throne and this was to help pursue the claim, by tying the garters to secure armor.
The Order of the Garter, along with the Order of the Thistle, is the personal gift of the Sovereign, so it does not become politically dominated. The last Lady of the Garter was Margaret Beaufort who died in 1509. Besides female Sovereigns, Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth were all Ladies of the Garter. But it wasn't until 1987 when there could be Lady Companions of the Order of the Garter. Supernumerary members of the Order are given to members of the Royal Family. They were created by King George III in 1786 so all of his sons could be Knights but not count towards the 24 members. Then in 1813, foreign monarchs could become supernumerary members, known as Stranger Knights and Ladies of the Garter. The first was Emperor Alexander I of Russia. These are usually given to European monarchs but Emperor of Japan is the exception of the rule.
If members have committed any serious crimes, committed treason, or brought dishonour to their name or the Kingdom, they are degraded and their title is taken off them, including the removal of their shield from St George's Chapel. During the First and Second World War, any members of the Order that were enemies were degraded. E.g: Wilheim II of Germany and Franz Joseph I of Austria were degraded while after World War II, Emperor Hirohito's knighthood was reinstated.
Special Knights that were Officers and Military Knights of Windsor. The Officers run the Order of the Garter and much of the administrative work while the Military Knights were traditionally poor, old knights whom were payed for their prayers and given lodgings at Windsor Castle.
All new Knights are invested on Garter Day, which is the Monday of Ascot Week. Restarted from the reign f George VI, members appear at Windsor Castle in their robes and they are paraded at Windsor Castle. Members wear the mantle/robe, a garter on the left calf, a Tudor bonnet, a collar with a enamel pendant of St George the Martyr. On other occasions the members wear the star on their left breast, the badge of the Order, the riband/slash, and the collar of the Order. After a service at St. George's Chapel, they meet at some Private Apartment in Windsor Castle and any new members are invested and formally dressed by the Sovereign. After the investiture, all members attend a lunch in the Banqueting Hall.
The order was created by King Edward III in 1348, but it is believed to have been created as early as 1344. It is believed that the origin dates back from Edward III picking up a garter which fell off the leg of the Countess of Salisbury at a court ball at Calais. Courtiers surrounded her and sneered her and then Edward III picked it up and said; "Honi Soit, Qui Mal y Pense", meaning "Shamed be the person who thinks evil of it". The origin could also date back to King Richard I who would tie garters around the legs of knights who were victorious in their battles during the Crusades. The Order of the Garter could also have been created during Edward III's claim to the French Throne and this was to help pursue the claim, by tying the garters to secure armor.
The Order of the Garter, along with the Order of the Thistle, is the personal gift of the Sovereign, so it does not become politically dominated. The last Lady of the Garter was Margaret Beaufort who died in 1509. Besides female Sovereigns, Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth were all Ladies of the Garter. But it wasn't until 1987 when there could be Lady Companions of the Order of the Garter. Supernumerary members of the Order are given to members of the Royal Family. They were created by King George III in 1786 so all of his sons could be Knights but not count towards the 24 members. Then in 1813, foreign monarchs could become supernumerary members, known as Stranger Knights and Ladies of the Garter. The first was Emperor Alexander I of Russia. These are usually given to European monarchs but Emperor of Japan is the exception of the rule.
If members have committed any serious crimes, committed treason, or brought dishonour to their name or the Kingdom, they are degraded and their title is taken off them, including the removal of their shield from St George's Chapel. During the First and Second World War, any members of the Order that were enemies were degraded. E.g: Wilheim II of Germany and Franz Joseph I of Austria were degraded while after World War II, Emperor Hirohito's knighthood was reinstated.
Special Knights that were Officers and Military Knights of Windsor. The Officers run the Order of the Garter and much of the administrative work while the Military Knights were traditionally poor, old knights whom were payed for their prayers and given lodgings at Windsor Castle.
All new Knights are invested on Garter Day, which is the Monday of Ascot Week. Restarted from the reign f George VI, members appear at Windsor Castle in their robes and they are paraded at Windsor Castle. Members wear the mantle/robe, a garter on the left calf, a Tudor bonnet, a collar with a enamel pendant of St George the Martyr. On other occasions the members wear the star on their left breast, the badge of the Order, the riband/slash, and the collar of the Order. After a service at St. George's Chapel, they meet at some Private Apartment in Windsor Castle and any new members are invested and formally dressed by the Sovereign. After the investiture, all members attend a lunch in the Banqueting Hall.