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The Order of the Garter

in Windsor, thousands of British people lined up streets and roads to pay their respects to their

beloved Queen. On several occasions, my eye was caught by details concerning historical

traditions or defining structures of the British Monarchy.

One of them was a little orange ribbon, circling some gentlemen's left leg, a little above the knee:

The GARTER!

I) BACK to the 14th century: 1348:

* THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER: goes back to the14th century. Different 

stories and legends  illustrate the Foundation of the Order. 

The most picturesque legend includes the Countess of Salisbury.

One of her garters (a blue one) is said to have slipped from her leg while she was dancing

with King Edward III at a Court Ball at Calais, during the Hundred Years' War. 

The surrounding courtiers snickered and jeered. The King picked it up and exclaimed in 

French: "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ("Shame on him who thinks evil of it" / "Evil to him who

evil thinks"). The phrase has become the motto of the Order. He added that in the future, 

members would be very honoured to wear one!  

II) The Most Noble Order of the Garter: the highest British civil and military honour obtainable.

It's the Highest and most senior Order of British Knighthood). There's only one rank, that of 

Knight Companion/ Lady Companion. Membership is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of

Wales, and no more than 24 members.  Members can "be degraded" if they fall from honour. 

(36 members have even been beheaded!) The Order includes supernumerary members

who can be foreign monarchs. Now, only the British Sovereign can appoint new members

who are chosen from a variety of backgrounds, in recognition for their public service.  

The ORDER has six officers : The Prelate, the Chancellor, the Register, The Garter Principal

King of Arms, the Usher and the Secretary.

ROBES AND INSIGNIA : 

               Mantel...                                                           ... and Hat. 

- The mantel of dark blue velvet. 

- The Hat:  a Tudor Bonnet of black velvet with a plume of white ostrich and black

heron feathers. 

- The Collar:  weighs 30 troy ounces (0,933 kg of pure gold) - worn over the mantel and

secured with white silk ribbons tied in bows on the shoulders. 

- THE GREAT GEORGE (an enamel pendant) is suspended from the collar. 

                                THE GREAT GEORGE (The pendant)

                                     Saint George slaying the Dragon... 

- The Garter worn on ceremonial occasions around the left calf by Knights

and around the left arm by ladies. 

- The sword * [sord]   [w] not pronounced. 

 The sword                                                           The Collar of the Order

III) CHAPEL: Saint George's Chapel, Windsor Castle:

All members of the Order of the Garter are entitled to display their heraldic crests

and banners at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Each knight has a stall assigned

to him in the Chapel where his banner, helmet and arms are displayed. 

The members' banners at St. George's Chapel                   The procession to enter the Chapel

IV) GARTER DAY : 

Every year, during The Royal Week ( together with the Ascot horse races) in June, the 

members of the Order meet in the Throne Room of the Castle of Windsor, wearing their

ceremonial dress and insignia. A grand procession of the knights takes place to a service

at St. George's Chapel, accompanied by a marching band and Officers of the Order.

During the short service, any new Companions are installed/ appointed.

The Sovereign and other members of the Order then return to the Upper Ward of

the castle in (horse-drawn) carriages and cars.

A very famous Order, known worldwide! You've seen that many traditions are attached to this Institution... 

You know everything... Go for the test, Noble Knights and Ladies! 

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1. The Noble Order of the Garter was founded in Calais in 1348in Windsor in 1415in London in 1666I don't know.



2. King Henry VIIIEdward IIICharles III don't know picked up his Lady's garter and said: 'Honi soit qui mal y pense !'



3. For important ceremonies, a Knight Companion wears the garter round his left leground his left armround his neckI don't know.



4. Besides the Monarch and the Royals, at least 4815024I don't know permanent Knights or Ladies Companions gather in St. James' Chapel every year in June.



5. 'The Great George' is the name of the Cross on the BadgeMedalion on the mantelenamel pendantI don't know on the Collar worn by Knights and Ladies Companions.



6. On the pendant, Saint George, the patron saint of Chivalry, is stabbing a lionslaying a Dragonslicing a snakeI don't know symbolising the devil and evil.



7. The King's son and second in line to the throne, William, Prince of WalesGeorge, Prince of WalesHarry, Duke of SussexI don't know, was the 1,000th Knight to be added to the Order, in 2008.



8. Every June, on King Edward's DaySt George's DayGarter DayI don't know, the Knights of the Garter gather at Windsor Castle to attend several ceremonies.



9. On June 13, 2022, enrobed members in plumed hats welcomed King Charles' wife, then titled Duchess of CornwallPrincess of WalesCountess of CambridgeI don't know as a member, as well as former Prime Minister Tony Blair.



10. In any case, when you’re a member of the Order, you you cannot be degradeddon't leave it before your deathyou can always resignI don't know.