The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-27
RAREST OF BRITISH TITLES
Story of the Garter, Most Valued
Order in the World.
One-third of knights Are Reigning
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Origin of
the Decoration.
From the London Mall.

From the London Mall.
Knight 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 En-
perors. the Shah Of Persia, the Emperor
Of Japan. the Kaiser. and the King Of
Spain being among other members OF the
most noble order"
II was founded far back in Edward HIS
reIgn. the date being ascribed to New
Years Day, 1874. but authorities differ
The Iegend-whir ven the romantic
Froissart ContradicJs-runs to this pur-
pose. 4 certain countess Of Salisbury
having lost her garter at ball, his
majesty Edward III picked it up and re-
stored IT, When the cOurtiers failed TO
hide their smiles the King repToved them
with the words. "Honi soft qui NAL y
pense." which IS still the motto of the
order That is the legend. The words are
also ascribed In the motto which Edward
III selected for his second French cam
paign.
But II is said that the garter existed
still earlier though not under royal de-
cree. King Richard I having a select
band Of knights At Acre who wore a
leathem band around the left leg.
The famous garter itself is a band Of
blue velvet an inch broad heavily IN
Crusted with gold. and bearing the motto,
"Honi soft gui NAL pense,' in letters Of
solid gold. Charles I wore a garter with
a blazing array Of 4l2 diamonds. and these
he did not shrink from wearing on the
scaffold
At Windsor Castle after the new knight
had been elected by the chapter Of the
Order-a ceremony which is possibly al
lowed TO Iapse-the two junior knights
proceed 20 the door OF the chapter room.
and, preceded by the garter king OF arms.
who carries the insignia on a cushion.
conducts the newly elected knight 10 the
sovereign. With the assistance Of the two
junior knights present the King buckI S
it on. then while the new knight kncels
the King puts the ribbon over his Shout
ders.
The collar. which. Ike the collar Of all
orders. by the way. is a badge Of seryl-
tude. is Of gold, and weighs nearly thirty
ounces. 1t is made In twcnty-six pieces
corresponding 10 the statute number OF
members. and is 10 be worn when the
knight is not in his form Of garter
. enameled blue, with the motto in gold
and In the center Of each garter Is rose
enameled red. seeded gold. and green"
The George. a figure Of the saint encoun-
tering the dragon. hangs pendant in the
center.
The star, with its brilliant red cross.
was founded by Charles I. and is intend
ed to be worn when the knight is not in
his robes. This star, which Pss altered
gradually in shape in the las 300 years.
was restored 10y King Edward 10 its origi-
nal shape last year. The insignia are all
presented TO the knight by the King. but
on his death they have to be returned TO
the sovereign.
The mantle is Of purple velvet. lined
with white silk, with the badge OF the or
der on the left shoulder The neck is
closed by Gordon of purple silk and gold
in equal parts. Queen Yiccoria's mantle
was nine feet in length 0he knights have
mantles slightly shorter than the sover-
eign).
The garter IS worn on the left leg over
a white silk stocking and is balanced on
the right les by a plain band Of white
silk ribbon Gady knights wear il on the
left ARM. The hood and surcoat are of
crimson velvet, lined with white taffeta
The admission of a Knight of the Gar
ter is one Of the most gorgeous ceremo-
MES IN the world