The broad ax., 1899-04-15
on rHE ouEEN.s pounrY.
me Asessnt Order Of the Hnisa<y
Kzighfs Of WlndsoE.

4 -~~@-A
Kzights % windsor.
While ehronieling the movements
OF the queen references IL now and
again made in the daily press 10 the
military knights OF Windsor. Never
theless. but few who read about their
doings know Of what that order con-
sists. says the Culver. They are Of
fcers who have distinguished them
selves In some Of our innumerabls lit
tie wars. and yet In their old aga ind
themselves solely dependent on q very
diminutive pension. From the queen
they served 20 faithfully and well they
receive an annuity and q lodging In
that vast palace. Windsor castle. The
order Is, indeed. q pendant to that bet
ter-known home Of the veterans OF
the rank and file. Chelsea hospital. Its
history is peculiarly interesting. When
that gallant warrior King Edward III.
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 pro-
vision made for them by the king. Ac-
cording to the original grant these
veterans were to be such as through
adverse fortune we're brought to that
extremity that they had not OF their
own wherewith to sustain them nor
TO live so genteelly as became q mil
itary condition" That they might
live "genteelly" they were given a
lump sum OF 40 shillings a year, and
IL pence each day they attended the
royal chapel-a small pension, II
seems to us. but Il must be remem-
bered that money has vastly decreased
In purchasing power since those early
days.
But evil fortune awaited the aims
knights. They had been placed under
the supervision OF the canons OF st.
Georges chapel. and these priests
seem to have bullied them unmerci-
fully. Under Edward Nv. the quarrel
had grown 70 such a pitch that the
king interfered.
Monks carried long tales to the mon
arch OF the insubordination shown by
the stout old warriors to the rules
tNSt had been made for their govern
ment. The almsknights replied. but in
cunning they were no match for their
adyersaries; deeds not words" might
have been their motto. In the end
they were shut on from the royal
bounty. and, as an old chronicler Of
the times remarks, How they next
subsisted doth not fully appear" Bluff
King Hal, however. took pity on the
poor old men that yet remained in the
land Of the living and set apart GER
tain lands for their maintenance |
Queen Bess added to their lodgings, |
but issued q series Of strict regula- |
tons as to their behavior which well |
became the maiden queen. however |
distasteful they were to the aims
knights themselves. Their old enc
mics. the eanons OF st. Georges chap
sl were informed that they were to
themselves responsible for
their behavior and severe penalties
awaited q "haunter OF taverns" or q
keeper OF late hours" When the
queen visited Windsor they were to
DO ready to salute her. Lastly, Il was
ordained that no married man could
Do admitted to the order. bachelors
md widowers being alone eligible.
Until the reign Of William ". their
Uniform was more ornamental than
comfortable. Indeed. during hot
heather Il must have been well nigh
consisting as II did Of .
lowing mantel. deeked with q "scutch-
on OF St. George" upon the shoulder.
'inee the reform Instituted by that
ling. however. Il has consisted OF q
ed swallow tail coat. dark blue truus-
~. cooked hat with red and white
'lume, crimson silk sash and a leather
'elt for a sword. OF course. Il is only
n full dress occasions that the vetsr-
rs thus gayly be3eek themselves. Re-
aarkably well they then look, with ,
heir kind old faces beaming above
he rows Of medals that proclaim their
asst achievements. They still mourn
be discontinuanee Of their famous
&nquet On ST. Georges day. but pres ,
ents Of game from he royal pre- ,
erves doubtless reconcile them to the
oss Of their annual feast.