Order Of The Garter Knights

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious order of knighthood in Britain. It is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed upon an individual and has been awarded to some of the most influential people in British society. The Order was founded by Edward III in 1348 and is dedicated to The Virgin Mary, who is also known as Our Lady of the Garter. The Order was originally established to promote chivalry and honour among knights, but it has since evolved to encompass a much wider range of people from all walks of life. It is now seen as a symbol of excellence, courage, loyalty and achievement. Each year up to 24 individuals are chosen as members of the Order and are presented with a special badge depicting a blue garter with the motto “Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense” (Shame on him who thinks evil of it). These individuals have often gone on to become national figures for their significant contributions to British society.

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in the United Kingdom, established by King Edward III in 1348. The Order was created to commemorate a legendary event that occurred during a jousting tournament at Windsor Castle in 1344. According to legend, King Edward III was so taken with the bravery and gallantry of Sir John de Montfort that he snatched a garter from his own leg and fastened it around de Montfort’s leg as a mark of honour.

Membership in the Order is limited to 24 men and women—the King or Queen of England, plus 23 others—who are appointed by the Sovereign on advice from the Prime Minister. Members must be British citizens, persons of distinction, or have served with loyalty and honour in high office or public service. In addition to attending chapel services at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, members are expected to attend annual receptions and other events throughout the year. Each member is also entitled to wear special insignia, including a velvet mantle lined with blue silk (worn over their left shoulder) and a gold collar featuring 26 medallions each bearing an image representing one of the Christian virtues.

History and Origin of the Order of the Garter Knights

The Order of the Garter Knights has a long and storied history. It was founded in 1348 by King Edward III of England as a way to honor the most exemplary knights of his kingdom. The Order was originally comprised of 25 members, but today it is limited to 24. The motto of the Order is “Honi soit qui mal y pense,” which translates to “Shame be to him who thinks evil thereof.” This motto has come to represent the highest standards of chivalry, courage, and honor.

The insignia for the order is a blue garter with a golden buckle bearing the motto. This is worn by all members and serves as a reminder of their commitment to uphold the ideals of chivalry and honor. The members are also given gold rings with diamonds set in them which signify their membership in the ancient order.

Membership Requirements

Membership in the Order is considered an immense honor and can only be granted by invitation from either His Royal Highness or Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. When applying for membership, applicants must provide extensive documentation regarding their accomplishments in service to England or its people.

In addition to having significant accomplishments, potential members must also demonstrate adherence to certain moral values such as loyalty, courage, faithfulness, justice, temperance, and mercy. Furthermore, they must be willing to defend these values at all times and accept that their actions will reflect upon them and on the Order itself.

Rights & Privileges

Membership in The Order carries with it certain rights and privileges that are typically reserved for royalty alone. These include precedence over all other orders in matters concerning etiquette or precedence; exemption from military service; the right to have their own personal banner; access to royal palaces; free entry into royal parks; permission to wear special badges or insignia; special privileges regarding taxation; exclusive access to certain events hosted by Her Majesty; exclusive rights concerning property ownership; etc.

Rules & Regulations

The rules and regulations governing membership within The Order are quite strict but necessary for its continued success as an organization dedicated to upholding high standards of chivalry and honor. All members must abide by a code of conduct that includes adhering strictly to moral principles such as integrity, respect for others, selflessness, honesty, diligence in fulfilling duties, loyalty at all times (even if it means going against friends or family) and abstaining from any behavior that would discredit themselves or bring dishonor upon The Order itself. Furthermore, they are expected never to divulge any information about other members unless expressly permitted by His Royal Highness or Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself.

Establishing of the Order of the Garter Knights

The Order of the Garter Knights is one of the oldest and most prestigious orders of chivalry in Europe. It was established by King Edward III in 1348, and is still active today. The Order consists of 24 knights, who are appointed by the British monarch to serve as protectors and defenders of the realm. The knights are chosen for their loyalty, courage, and dedication to service.

The Order was founded as a symbol of loyalty and honour among members of the court. Members must be willing to take an oath to serve their monarch faithfully, and must also adhere to a strict code of conduct. The 24 members meet annually at Windsor Castle for a church service, known as Garter Day. The knights wear special robes called mantles during this service, and exchange vows of loyalty to each other and their sovereign.

In addition to serving as protectors and defenders of the realm, members of the Order also provide advice on matters related to statecraft and policy-making. They may act as ambassadors in negotiations between countries, or participate in formal ceremonies such as knighting new members or inaugurating new monarchs. They are also expected to provide support for charitable causes.

The Order has become a symbol not only of chivalry but also respectability throughout Europe. Its members are regarded with admiration by many people all over the world, and have played an important role in promoting peace and understanding among nations. This tradition continues today, with new members being appointed every year from all over Europe, thus ensuring that its legacy lives on for generations to come.

Membership Requirements for the Order of the Garter Knights

The Order of the Garter Knights is one of the oldest and most prestigious orders of knighthood in the world. Established by King Edward III in 1348, it remains a highly sought-after honour to this day. To become a member of this exclusive club, there are a few requirements that must be met.

• Candidates must be British citizens or have close ties to Britain.

• Membership is limited to no more than 24 living members at any one time.

• Each candidate must be recommended by at least two existing members of the Order.

• Candidates must demonstrate loyalty to Britain, its government and its monarchs.

• Each candidate must wear ceremonial clothing when attending official functions as part of their membership in the order.

• All members are required to swear an oath of allegiance upon their admission into the order.

The Order of the Garter Knights is a prestigious honour and those who are chosen to become part of it have shown exemplary service to Britain and her people. While it is an exclusive club, it does not discriminate on any basis and all eligible candidates are welcome to apply for membership.

Honors Granted by the Order of the Garter Knights

The Order of the Garter is one of the oldest and most prestigious orders in England. It was founded in 1348 by King Edward III and has since been a symbol of great honor to its members. The Order consists of only 24 Knights, who are chosen for their bravery, loyalty, and service to their country. Each Knight is granted several honors upon acceptance into the Order. These honors include:

  • A personal coat-of-arms
  • A stall plate with their heraldic arms
  • The right to bear a banner with their arms on it
  • A banner with the Order’s insignia on it
  • A helmet with their crest on it
  • An annual pension from the Crown
  • Permission to wear an elaborate costume for state occasions

The coat-of-arms and stall plates are symbols of each Knight’s personal achievement. They are used to identify each Knight’s accomplishments in battle and other honorable deeds. The banner with the Order’s insignia is displayed during state occasions and serves as a reminder of the Knights’ loyalty to England. The helmet with crest is also an important part of each Knight’s uniform and is used on ceremonial occasions.

Additionally, each Knight is given an annual pension from the Crown which helps offset costs associated with maintaining membership in the Order. Lastly, they are granted permission to wear an elaborate costume for state occasions which further illustrates their commitment to serving their country. These honours serve as symbols of great distinction for each knight, demonstrating their bravery and dedication to duty.

In summary, being a member of the Order of the Garter carries with it many honors that demonstrate a knight’s long-standing commitment to serve their country. From personal coats-of-arms to elaborate costumes for state occasions, these honors represent high achievement that will be remembered by future generations.

Investiture Ceremony for New Members of the Order of the Garter Knights

The Investiture Ceremony for New Members of the Order of the Garter Knights is a formal event held each year in England. It is a ceremony that honors those who have been recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to society.

This event has been conducted since 1348 and is attended by members of the royal family, government officials, and representatives from all branches of the military. During this ceremony, new members are presented with their insignia and receive knighthood from Her Majesty The Queen.

The ceremony is held at Windsor Castle in England and features a colorful display of pageantry, music, and historical traditions. The day begins with a procession led by Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by new members of the Order. This procession moves from St George’s Chapel to the Waterloo Chamber where the investiture takes place.

The investiture itself consists of several stages. Firstly, each new member is presented to Her Majesty The Queen who then invests them with their insignia in a formal ceremony. Following this, each member kneels before Her Majesty The Queen who then touches them on both shoulders with her sword as a symbol of knighthood. This part of the ceremony is referred to as ‘dubbing’.

Afterwards, members are invited to stand in line and receive congratulations from Her Majesty The Queen before taking their place among other Knights in a circle around her throne. Here they are formally welcomed into the Order and they swear allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen and her successors as part of their commitment to serve society through their deeds and actions.

At this point, there is usually an exchange between Her Majesty The Queen and some of the new Knights as they are called forward one by one for an informal conversation about their achievements or area of expertise. Therefore, all members join together in singing “God Save The Queen” before being released for refreshments.

The Investiture Ceremony for New Members of the Order of the Garter Knights is an annual celebration that honors those who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to society through their actions or endeavors. It has been conducted since 1348 and continues today as an important part of Britain’s rich cultural heritage.

The Order of the Garter Knights

The Order of the Garter Knights is a prestigious organization founded in 1348 by King Edward III of England. It is one of the oldest and most exclusive chivalric orders in the world, and its members are renowned for their achievements and leadership. The Order has an impressive array of badges and mottos associated with it, which are intended to inspire its members to be dedicated to their beliefs and principles.

The Order’s badge consists of a blue garter with the motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (“Shame on he who thinks evil of it”). It is worn on the left side of the knight’s uniform, and is symbolic of courage, loyalty, faithfulness, and honor. The badge also features three golden roses that represent faith, hope, and charity.

In addition to the badge, members also have a personal motto associated with them. These mottos range from inspirational quotes to Latin phrases such as “Nec temere nec timide” (“Neither rashly nor timidly”) or “In arduis fidelis” (“Faithful in adversity”). All mottos are intended to inspire members to live up to their highest ideals.

The Order also has several other symbols associated with it such as its coat of arms which features a shield emblazoned with three golden roses, as well as a crest featuring a crowned lion and unicorn holding lilies. There is also an official flag featuring a blue background with three golden roses in each corner.

Therefore, there are various other accessories associated with membership in The Order such as ribbons, medals, rings, cufflinks and other items meant to commemorate membership in this prestigious organization. All these items serve as reminders that members must always strive for excellence in all aspects of life while striving for honourable conduct at all times.

In reflection, The Order of the Garter Knights is one of the oldest and most exclusive chivalric orders in the world that has an impressive array of badges and mottos associated with it. Its badges feature blue garter emblazoned with the motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense” while its members have individual mottos that range from inspirational quotes to Latin phrases that serve as inspirations for their actions throughout their lives. Additionally there are several other symbols such as coats-of-arms or flags that represent The Order that are accompanied by various accessories meant to commemorate membership in this prestigious organization.

Notable Members of The Order Of The Garter Knights

The Order of the Garter is one of the oldest and most respected chivalric orders in the world, and its members are some of the most renowned figures in history. Here are some of the most notable members of this prestigious order:

• Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II is the current sovereign of the United Kingdom and Head of The Order of the Garter. She was appointed to the order in 1947.

• Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Prince Philip is Queen Elizabeth II’s husband and has been a member since 1947.

• King Edward III: Edward III was King of England from 1327 to 1377 and was responsible for founding The Order of The Garter in 1348. He was one its first members.

• Winston Churchill: Churchill was Prime Minister during World War II and a member since 1953. He is widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest statesmen.

• Henry VIII: Henry VIII ruled England from 1509 to 1547 and helped strengthen The Order Of The Garter during his reign. He has been a member since 1511.

• Queen Victoria: Queen Victoria reigned over Great Britain from 1837 to 1901, making her reign one of the longest in British history. She was also a member since 1848.

These are just some of the most notable members who have been part of this prestigious order over its 700 years in existence. While they may not be actively involved anymore, their legacy still lives on today through their dedication to chivalry, service, and honor.

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Final Words On Order Of The Garter Knights

The Order of the Garter is one of the oldest and most prestigious orders in Europe. It is a testament to the long-standing legacy of knighthood, and a reminder of the important role chivalry plays even in today’s society. The members of this order have always been some of the most influential individuals in European culture, and continue to be so today.

The traditions and values that have been upheld by these knights throughout history are unmatched, and their dedication to protecting these values is remarkable. They are willing to go to great lengths for their country, whether it be through military service or other forms of leadership.

The Order of the Garter Knights is also dedicated to promoting peace and justice throughout Europe. With their centuries-long record of integrity and honor, they strive to ensure that justice is served fairly and equitably throughout the continent.

Despite its long history, membership in this order is still highly sought after by many individuals who wish to be part of such an esteemed group. Membership in this order provides access to a wide range of privileges, such as invitations to state ceremonies as well as private functions within the Order itself.

In reflection, the Order of the Garter Knights has proven itself time and again as one of Europe’s most influential organizations. Their commitment to protecting European values, promoting justice and peace, and honoring its members has remained steadfast for hundreds of years – making them an example for us all.

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