[MR] Wikipedia: Order of the Garter

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Feast or famine! It's been quite a while since I ran across anything
interesting to share, but today was a jackpot day in history. There were
several good possibilities. I have selected two upon which to comment, the
second to be in a separate post.

Today marks the founding of England's Order of the Garter. This heraldic
order was founded in 1348 on St. George's Day (his feast day, 23 April on
the modern calendar) by King Edward III. That the warlike King should
choose this day, the feast day of the patron saint of soldiers (and England
itself), is highly appropriate.

Supposedly, King Edward recovered a garter which slipped from the leg of
the supposed Countess of Salisbury at a ball. Upon returning it to her, he
exclaimed "*Honi soit qui mal y pense*" (Shame on him who thinks ill of
it.). This became then the motto of the Order. The story is rubbish, and
was not recorded until 1460.

Originally the Order of the Garter consisted of Edward and 24 companion
knights. Today the principal officer remains the Sovereign, and membership
inclues the Prince of Wales with 24 companion knights or ladies. There are
also various supernumerary members (members of the Royal Family), and
foreign royalty known as "Stranger Knights and Ladies of the Garter".
Generally, former British Prime Ministers are inducted. It's a very
exclusive club indeed.

You can read more about the Order at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Garter .

The Garter is roughly parallel to the Order of the Golden Fleece, founded
in 1430 by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Golden_Fleece . Although
Burgundy as a state collapsed in 1477, the Order passed to the House of
Habsburg. It continues today in two branches, Spanish and Austrian.

Not to be outdone, French King John II founded the Order of the Star in
1351: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Star_(France) .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆