| 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, edged with 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 number of 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 Gartoi and Motto. The mantle of blue velvet lined with white taffeta, on the left breast the star embroidered. The hood of crimson velvet. The subcoat of crimson velvet lined with white taffeta. The hat of black velvet lined with white taffeta, to which is fastened by a band of diamonds, a plume of white ostrich leathers, 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." |