The Most Noble Order of the Garter is the oldest European order of chivalry.
It is a strange title really, what has a garter to do with chivalry you may ask …why not the Most Noble Order of the Handkerchief, for example!
The origin of this very prestigious Order goes back to the reign of Edward III in the fourteenth century.
There is an ancient font that now stands in the churchyard at Asperton, Herefordshire, and it was in this font that a lady called Katherine Grandison was christened.
This Katherine, Countess of Salisbury, is locally affirmed to be the lady who dropped her garter at a Court Ball in 1349 when dancing with King Edward III.
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', (roughly translated as 'shame on anyone who thinks evil of this'), buckled it on to his leg.
This seems an odd thing to say, even for those far off days, and surprising that the dropping of a garter would ruffle the modesty of a fourteenth century lady of the court.
The true significance behind this well-known story may lie in the fact that the 'garter' was the badge of a witch and Edward's action saved Katherine from certain death for sorcery!
What a 'good' king Edward was …certainly brave, as dealing with a witch could have terrible consequences in those days!
Today the Order consists of Her Majesty the Queen, Sovereign of the Order, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and 24 Knight Companions.
© E.P.C.
Related Links:History of Britain - The Victoria Cross Culture UK - The Queen's Champion |
