Knighthood

Knighthood

Knighthood, The Most Noble Order of the Garter. This Order was instituted by King Edward III., A.D. 1350. The Original statutes of the Order are lost. By a Statute passed 17th Jan., 1805, the Order was to consist of the Sovereign and twenty-five Knight's Companions, together with such lineal descendants of King George the First as may be elected, but exclusive of the Prince of Wales, who is a part of the original institution. Foreign Sovereigns, and Princes and Extra Knights, have since been added by special statutes. The latter, however, become merged in the twenty-five Companions as vacancies occur.

The Garter is of dark blue velvet, edgedwith gold, bearing the motto " Honi soit qui mal y pense " in letters of gold, with buckle and pendant of richly chased gold. It is worn on the left leg below the knee.

The George. An enamelled figure of St.George on horseback, encountering the Dragon. It is worn as a pendant to the collar.

The Collar is of gold, composed of twenty-six pieces (in allusion to the original numberof Knights) in the form of Garters and Gold Knots. The Garters are enamelled azure, within the Garters alternately placed is a Red and White rose, barbed and seeded Ppr. surmounting each other. The Star of eight points silver, in the centre of which is the Cross of St. George, guleS, encircled with the Garter and Motto. The Mantle of blue velvet lined with white taffeta, on the left breast the star embroidered.

The Hood of crimson velvet.The Surcoat of crimson velvet lined with white taffeta.

The Hat of black velvet lined with whitetaffeta, to which is fastened by a band of diamonds, a plume of white ostrich feathers, in the centre of which a tuft of black heron's feathers.

Ribbon of the Order. Blue.Motto. Honi soit qui mal y pense. " Dishonoured be he who thinks ill of it." See Elvin's Hand-Book of Mottoes.

The Collar, Star, Badge, etc. P. 24, f. 6,7 and 19.

Knighthood, The Most Ancient and Most NobleOrder of the Thistle. It is said this Order was instituted by James V. of Scotland, A.D. 1540. It was revived by King James 11. of England, 29th May, 16S7, subsequently by Queen Anno, 31st Dec, 1703, and by a statute passed in May, 1837, the Order is to consist of the Sovereign and Sixteen Knights. The Badge, worn pendant to the Collar, or to a dark-green ribbon over the left shoulder and tied under the arm, consists of a radiant star or, charged with the figure of St. Andrew ppr. Oi gold enamelled, with his gown green, and the surcoat purple, bearing before him the cross Saltire argent, standing upon a mount vert, upon which the cross is resting.

The Collar is of golden thistles, intermingled with sprigs of rue enamelled ppr.The Jewel, worn attached to a green ribbon, consists of an oval plate ar. charged with the same figure as the Badge, within a border vert, fimbriated (both internally and externally) or, and inscribed in letters of the same, " Nemo me impune lacessit." The Star is worn on the left side of the Coat, or Cloak, and consists of St. Andrew's Cross of silver embroidery, with rays emanating from each angle; in the centre is a Thistle of green, heightened with gold, upon a field of gold, surrounded by a circle of green, bearing the motto of the Order in golden characters.

Ribbon of the Order. Green.

Motto. Nemo me impune lacessit. No oneprovokes me with impunity.

Collar, Star, Badge, etc. P. 24, f. 18 and 23.