The Most Noble Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter - A Victorian KG Star (Obverse)

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 1348
Country: Great Britain

The Order of the Garter (also known as the “Most Noble Order of the Garter”) is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348 and regarded as the most prestigious British order of chivalry (though in precedence inferior to the military Victoria Cross and George Cross) in England and later the United Kingdom. It is dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George, England’s patron saint.

Membership of the Order is limited to the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions. The order also includes supernumerary knights and ladies (for example, members of the British royal family and foreign monarchs). New appointments to the Order of the Garter are often announced on St George’s Day (23 April), as Saint George is the order’s patron saint.

In addition to the 25 Knights, there have been occasionally extra non-Christian Knights, such as the Sultans of Turkey or the Emperor of Japan. Emperor Hirohito was actually awarded the Garter twice: in 1922 and again in 1971 (he had forfeited the first as a result of Japan entering the Second World War in 1941). Soon after the founding of the Order, women were appointed “Ladies of the Garter“, but were not made companions. King Henry VII discontinued the practice in 1488; his mother, Margaret Beaufort, was the last Lady of the Garter before Queen Alexandra. Ladies (other than royalty) are now eligible for the Order.

All official insignia is returnable to the Central Chancery of Knighthood on the death of the holder.

The Order of the Garter Design

The Star

The star was originally embroidered in a metal thread and was introduced in the 17th century by King Charles I (before 1858, knights often purchased metal stars). It depicts the heraldic shield of St. George’s Cross, encircled by the Garter and the motto “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE” (or “Evil be to who evil thinks“), which is itself encircled by an eight-point silver badge. Each point is depicted as a cluster of rays, with the four points of the cardinal directions longer than the intermediate ones. Since the Order of the Garter is the senior order of the United Kingdom, a member will wear their star above the others (up to three) that he or she holds.

The Ribbon

The ribbon measures 100 millimeters and is plain dark blue. It’s not worn in undress uniform.

The Emblem

The order’s emblem is a dark blue velvet garter with the motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (or “Shame on him who thinks ill of it” in Middle French) in embroidered lettering and details, or with gold lettering, buckle and tab. Members of the order wear it on ceremonial occasions. The collar chain is made of gold and consists of alternate buckled garters, each encircling a red enamelled rose. The collar badge is an enamelled three-dimensional figure of St. George the Martyr on horseback slaying a dragon.

If you want to learn more about the Order of the Garter’s mantle, hat, collar, Great George and garter, please check our sibling site Medieval Britain.