Order Of The Garter Robes

Garter robes synonyms garter robes pronunciation garter robes translation english dictionary definition of garter robes.

Order of the garter robes. The knights now both male and female used to be limited to aristocracy. It is the most senior order of knighthood in the british honours system outranked in precedence only by the victoria cross and the george cross the order of the garter is dedicated to the image and arms of saint george england s patron saint. The most noble order of the garter is an order of chivalry founded by king edward iii of england in 1348.

From the earliest days of the order of the garter the mantle a ceremonial robe worn by the sovereign and knights companion has been an essential item in the order s insignia. The robes or mantle of the order worn during ceremonies was established by the 15th century ce as blue with a garter on the left shoulder. Nearly 700 years later the order is the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in britain.

The all embracing deep blue velvet cloak fastened with blue and gold cordons has remained largely unchanged since the foundation of the order. The usual story of its formation is that the king was at a royal ball dancing with the countess of salisbury when her garter fell to the floor the king returned it to her after first placing it on his own leg with the words honi soit qui mal y pense shame be to him who thinks. The queen robes up for the order of the garter in windsor just two days after the pomp and splendour of the trooping the colour parade the queen was celebrating yet another of her country s oldest.

It consists of the sovereign 24 knight companions and extra members created by. In medieval times king edward iii was so inspired by tales of king arthur and the chivalry of the knights of the round table that he set up his own group of honourable knights called the order of the garter.