The Order of Garter founded by King Edward III

The Order of Garter founded by King Edward III

The ‘Most Noble Order of the Garter’ is the oldest European order of chivalry, and is the third most prestigious honour ~ after the George and Victoria Cross.

The origin of this very prestigious Order goes back to the reign of King Edward III, on 23rd April 1348.

Legend says, The Countess of Salisbury was dancing with King Edward at a ball, when her garter slipped from her leg.
Rather than help her, the nearby courtiers simply snickered.

Tradition says that to cover the lady’s embarrassment King Edward picked up the garter, and with the words,

‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’, ~
‘shame on anyone who thinks evil of this’~ buckled it on to his own leg.
The phrase remains the motto of the Order to this day.

King Edward, his son Edward, the Black Prince, and 24 Founder Knights, each took a stall in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor.
The chapel remains the spiritual home of the order to this day.

Today the Order is strictly limited and includes His Majesty the King, Sovereign of the Order, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and 24 Knight Companions.

Each knight displays several things in St. George’s Chapel Windsor ~ including a banner of arms, a helmet, a crest, a sword, and an enamelled stall plate.

Appointments to the Garter are in the personal gift of the Sovereign and regarded as the most prestigious of the chivalric orders.

Any new appointments to the Order are always formally announced on 23rd April, St George’s Day ~ the patron saint of England.

Each knight displays several things in St. George’s Chapel, including a banner of arms, a helmet, a crest, a sword, and an enameled stall plate.

The annual iconic Garter Day procession, where The King and the Knights process in grand velvet robes, glistening insignia, and plumed hats, is one of the most traditional ceremonies in the King’s calendar, and takes place in June.