GARTER CHAPTER HELD

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22120, 16 June 1937, Page 9

GARTER CHAPTER HELD

BRILLIANT CEREMONY AT WINDSOR FIRST FUNCTION OF KIND FOR TWENTY-FOUR YEARS LONDON, June 14. Five thousand attended the service of the Noble Order of the Garter at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. There was a brilliant ceremonial, with the Horse Guards and Grenadier Guards in full dress. La+er there was a procession of the Knights, including the Duke of Gloucester ard the Duke of Kent, and Queen Mary, with the -King ai.r? at the rear. The King and Queen afterwards entertained the Knights and ladies at a State luncheon at the Castle. It is 24 years since a similar function was held. One arranged for Jubilee Year was cancelled because of thp health of King George V. The King, as Sovereign of the Order, holds the Chapter. Only two women can attend—the Queen, on whom the rank of Lady of the Garter was bestowed on her birthday last December, and Queen Mary, who became a member on the accession of King fiporce V. A romantic history lies behind the Order, which was instituted about 1350. and ranks as the highest in the world. There is a popular legend that it. owes its foundation to King Edward 111, who, picking up the garter of the Countess of Salisbury when it dropped on the floor at a Court ball, said: "Honi soit qui mal y pense." This became embodied in the old rhyme: Ye ladye droppede upon ye grounde Her garter, which ye Kynge he founde; Each courtier turned his eye arounde, Malycyouslie to wynke it. Ye ladye blushed a rosie redde, Restored ye article and saide, "111 be to them who thynke it." Whatever its origin, the Order has j always been the mark of chivalry, and the jewelled garter which its bearers wear carries the motto "Honi soit qui maJ y pense." Ladies of the Garter, who wear the emblem on the arm, were common in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries but since then no woman except a Queen has been given the honour. The first members of the Order werp King Edward 111 himself, tne Black Prince, and 24 other Knights. To-day it is still limited to 25 Knights Companions, with a number of extra Knights. Very few commoners have received the rank The Knights wear the garter on the leg. A collar of gold, consisting of 24 pieces, each in the form of a garter, is also part of the habit.