Edward III Creates The Order of the Garter 1348
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Edward III creates the Order of the Garter on St. George's Day 1348. The date was choseno honor England’s patron saint St George.1 The Order is the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Britain, and one of the most distinguished in the world. It was founded by King Edward III around 1348, inspired by the ideals of Arthurian knighthood and the legendary Knights of the Round Table.2
The order honours individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the nation, the sovereign, or public life. Membership is strictly limited and is considered a personal gift of the monarch — appointments are made “in the Sovereign’s gift” without ministerial advice.
The Sovereign (currently King Charles III) is the head of the Order. Then there are 24 Companion Knights or Ladies (excluding royal and foreign members). In addition, Royal Knights and Ladies (members of the Royal Family) and a few foreign monarchs (Stranger Knights) may be appointed as “extra” members. Members are known as Knights Companion or Ladies Companion of the Garter, and may use the postnominal KG or LG.3
The Garter is a blue velvet band with the motto in gold that is worn on the left leg (for knights) or on the left arm (for ladies). embroidered with the motto:
Honi soit qui mal y pense --- Shame on him who thinks evil of it.
According to legend, this phrase originated when a lady’s garter slipped at a court ball; Edward III picked it up and, to defend her honour, proclaimed the motto, though the story is likely apocryphal.
There is also a Star which is an eight-pointed silver badge worn on the left breast, a Collar, a heavy gold chain with interlinked garters and the figure of St George slaying the dragon, and a Badge (George) which is a pendant of St George worn from the collar. On ceremonial occasions, members wear elaborate robes of blue velvet and a black velvet hat with white plumes.
The spiritual home of the Order is St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where the annual Garter Day ceremony takes place in June. New members are formally invested by the King, and each knight’s banner, crest, and coat of arms are displayed in the chapel’s stalls.
The Order of the Garter represents the highest expression of personal royal favour and national honour. It links medieval ideals of chivalry with modern public service, continuity, and loyalty to the Crown.
