New-York tribune., 1898-11-27
THE QUEENS ALMSKNIGHTS.
INDECENT GENTLEMEN OF THE ORDER OF
THE MILITARY KNIGHTS OF WINDSOR

THE MILITARY KNIGHTS OF WINDSOR
From The Culver.
While chronicling the movements Of the Queen
reference Is now and again made In the daily
press to the Military Knights OF WINDSOR.
Nevertheless, but few who read about their 40
ings know of what that order consists Ihey
are officers who have distinguished themselves
in some of our innumerable little wars. ana yet
in their old age find themselves solely dependche
on a very diminutive pension. From the queen
they served 50 faithfully and well they receive
an annuity and a lodging in that vast paI.tcc,
Windsor Castle. The order is, indeed, pendant
to that better known home for the veterans OF
the rank ard file. Chelsea Hospital It's history
is peculiarly interesting. When that gaiiaht
warrior King Edward ILL., founded the order OF
the Garter he ordained that each of the twenty
six companions should be allowed to present an
"alms-knight' to the provision made fOr theH
by the King. According to the original grant
these veterans were to be such as through au,
verse fortune were brought to that extremity
that they had not Of their own whereWith 10
sustain them nor to live 50 genteeIy as became
a military condition" That they nIght i've
"gentcelly" they were given 4 lump sum or forty
shillings a year, and twelve pence each lay they
attended the royal chapel-a small pension; IL
seems to us. but it must be remembered that
money has vastly decreased III purchasing power
Since those early days
But evil fortune awaited the ams-knghts:
They had been placed under the supervision OF
the canOns OF St. Georges Chapel, and THESE
priests seem TO have bued them unmerci-
fully. Under Edward ~ the quarrel had grown
to such a pitch that the King lnteriereu.
Monks carried long tales TO the monarch OF III"
insubordination shown by the stout old war
riors to the rules that had been made Tor their
government. The aims knights replied. but in
cunning they were match for their adVersa-
ries deeds not words" might have been their
motto In the end they were shut OF from the
royal bounty and. as old chroncler or tha
times remarks, chow they next subalsted doth
not fully appear" Bluff King Hal however,
took pity on the poor old men that yet re-
mained in the land Of the living and set apart
certain lands for their maintenance. queen
Bess added to their lodgings, but issued series
of strict regulations as to their behavior, when
we'll became the maiden Queen, however dis
| tasteful they were to the alms-kniShts them
selves Their old enemies, the canOns or 81
| Georges Chapel were Informed that they were
| to consider themselves responsible for their be-
| havior and severe penalties awaited haunter
| of tayerns" or a Keeper of late hours Nhen
| to salute her; lastly, it was ordained that no
| married man could be admitted to the oTder'
| bachelors and widowers being alone eligible
| Until the reign OF William " their Uniform
was more ornamental than comfortable IN
deed during hot weather 1t must have been
flowing red mantle, decked with a "scutcheon
| Of St George" upon the shoulder since tne
reform instituted by that King. however, II mas
consisted Of a red swaow-tail coat, dark blue
trousers cocked-h hat with red and white pune
crimson silk sash and a leather belt for
sword or course. 1t IS only on full dress oc-
casons that the veterans thus gayly bedeck
| themselves Remarkably well they then look.
with their kind old faces beaming above the
rows OF medals that proclaim their past achieVe.
ments: They still mourn the discontnuance OF
their famous banquet on st. Georges Day pu'
presents Of game from the royal preserves doubt.
less reconcile them to the loss Of their annual
fpa