Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-06
u HAMPTON PHOEBUS AND Old POINT-Continned
THE RAREsT TITLE.
Story Of the Garter, the Most Valued
Order In the World

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 present time are reigning kings
or emperors, the Shah OF Persia the
Emperor of Japan, the Kaiser and tho
King of Spain being among other
members OF the "Most Noble Order"
It was founded far back In Edward
HIS reign. the date being ascribed to
New Year Day, 1874, but authorities
differ. The legend--which even the
romantic Froissart contradicts-runs
to this purpose. A certain Countess
or Salisbury, having lost her garter
at ball. His Majesty Edward III
picked it up and restored 1t. When
the courtiers failed to hide their
smiles the King reproved them with
the words, Hon soft qui maly pense,"
which is still the motto OF the order.
That is the legend. The words are
also ascrited in the motto which Ed
ward Ill selected for his second
campaign.
But 1t is said that the Garter exist.
ed still earlier, though not under 10y.
al decree. King Richard having u
select band of Knights at Acre who
wore leathern band round the left
leg.
The famous garter itself is band
II blue velvet an inch broad, heavily
encrusted with gold, and bearing the
motto, 'Honi soft qui maly pense," In
letters of solid gold. Charles | wore
garter with blazing array of 4l2
diamonds, and these he did not shrink
from wearing on the scaffold.
AT Windsor Castle, after the new
Knight has been elected by the chap
ter OF the order-a ceremony which
Is possibly allowed to lapse-the two
Junior Knights proceed to the door OF
the chapter room and, preceded by
the Garter King of Arms. who carrle1
the insignia on q cushion, conducts
the newly-elected Knight to thu
sovereign. With the assistance Of
the two junior knights present the
King buckles it on; then, while the
new knight kneels, the King puts the
ribbon over his shoulders.
The collar, which, like the collar
of all orders. by theway, is badge
of servitude, is of gold, and weighs
nealy thirty ounces. 1t Is made in
twenty-six pieces, corresponding to
the statute number of members. and
Is to be worn when the knight Is
not In his form of "a garter enameled
red, seeded gold. and green" The
George, a figure of the saint encount.
ering the dragon, hangs pendent in
the center
The star, with It's brilliant red
cross. was founded by Charles I, and
is intended to be worn when the
Knight is not in his robes. This star,
which has altered gradually in shape
in the last 300 years, was restored
by King Edward to its original shape
last year. The insignia are all pre-
scented to the Knight by the King but
on his death they have to be returned
to the sovereign.
The mantle is of purple velvet. Hin
ed with white silk. with the badge of
the order on the left shoulder The
neck is closed by a Gordon of purple
SILK and gold in equal parts. Queen
Victoria's mantle was nine feet in
length (the knights have nantes
slightly shorter than the sovereignty
The garter is worn on the left leg
over white silk stocking, and is bal.
anced on the right leg by a plain
band of white silk ribbon (lady
knights wear 1t on the left arm)
The hood and surcoat are of crimson
velvet, lined with white taffeta.
The admission of Knight of the
Garter is one of the most gorgeous
ceremonies in the world.