Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-01-26
THE RAREST TITLE
STORY OF THE GARTER, THE
MOST VALUED ORDER IN
THE WORLD.

Knights OF the Garter" Is the
rarest title that can be conferred by
the King OF England
About one-third OF the Knights
at the prese1t time are reigning
kings or emperors, the Shah OF
Persia. the EFeror of Japan. the
Kaiser, and the King of Spain being
among other members OF the Most
Noble Order"
1t was found far back in Ed
ward HIS reign. tNe date being
ascribed to New Year Day. 1874. but
authorities differ. The legend
which even the romantic Frossart
contradicts-ru to this purpose.
A certain Countess OF Salisbury. hav-
ing lost her garter at a ball. His
Majesty Edward III. picked it up and
restored 1t. When the counters
failed to hide their smiles the King
reproved them with the words,
"Honi soft qui NAL pense," which
is still the motto OF the order. That
Is the legend. The words are also as
cribed I'm the motto which Edward
III selected for his second French
campaign.
But It is said that the Garter ex-
listed still earlier. though not hav-
ing a select band OF Knights at Acre
who wore leathern band around
the left leg.
The famous garter itself is band
OF blue velvet and inch broad heav-
lily encrusted with gold, and bearinl
the motto. "Honi solt qui NAL
pense." in letters of solid gold
Charles /. wore a garter with
blazing array OF 412 diamonds, and
these he did OF shrink from wear
ing on the scaffold.
At Windsor Castle, after the new
knight has been elected by tn,
chapter OF the order a ceremon.
which is possibly allowed to lapse
the two junior Knights proceed t.
the door of the chapter room and.
preceded by the Garter King o.
Arms. who carries the insignia on Z;
cushion, conducts the newly-electe 70
Knight to the sovereign with tn.
assistance of the two junior Knight,
present the King buckles it on; ther
while the new Knight kneels, the
King puts the ribbon over his Shout
ders
The collar, which, like the collag
OF all orders, by the way, is a badge
of servitude, is of gold, and weigh
nearly thirty ounces. 1t is made i
twenty-six pieces, corresponding o.
the statute number of members, an
is to be worn when the Knight
not in his form of "a garter ename'
ed blue, with the motto in gold, an
in the center OF each garter is
rose enameled red, seeded gold, am
green" The George. a figure Of TN
saint encountering the dragon. hang
pendent in the centre.
The star, with it's brilliant re-
cross, was founded by Charles
and is Intended to be worn whe.
the Knight is wearing his robe
This star has all the admiration
nobility and has been worn for 80
years Was re stored by King 20
ward to its original shape last yea
The insignia are all presented to tn
Knight and the King, but on hi
death they have to be returned g.
the sovereign.
The mantle is of purple velve
lined with white silk, with the badg
OF the order on the left shoulder
The neck is closed by a corden O
purTile silk and gold in equal parts
Queen Victoria's mantle was min
feet In length (the Knights hav
mantles slightly shorter than tn
sovereign
The garter is worn on the lief,
leg over a white silk stocking. AM
is balanced on the right leg by r.
plain band OF white silk ribbon Oadv
Knights wear it on the left ARM
The hood and surcoat are of crimso1
velvet. lined with white tareta
The admission Of a Knight Of tho
Garter is one OF the most gorgeou
ceremonies in the world -Londo1
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