British Culture - User contributions [en]

The Ceremony of the Keys

2010-05-03T11:51:43Z

CaMa:

The Ceremony of the Keys is an ancient ritual, which involves the traditional locking up of the Tower of London. The ceremony “has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years” (website of Historic Royal Palaces).*

Exactly seven minutes to ten o’clock, the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower, appears from the Byward Tower and walks up to Traitor’s Gate. He is wearing a long read coat and the Tudor bonnet, holding a lantern in one and the Queens Keys in the other hand. An escort is awaiting him at Traitor's Gate and he hands over the lantern to one of the escorting soldiers. Together they move on to the outer gate. The guard at the outer gate salutes to the Queens Keys, before the Chief Yeoman Warder proceeds to lock up the gate. The escort, now joined by the guard of the outer gate, walk back, locking up the gates of the Middle and Byward Tower in the process. Upon returning to Traitor’s Gate, a sentry is noticing the escort and the following “dialogue” is taking place:

Sentry: “Halt! Who comes there?”

Chief Yeoman Warder: “The Keys!”

Sentry: “Whose Keys?”

Chief Yeoman Warder: “Queen Elizabeth’s Keys.”

Sentry: “Pass Queen Elizabeth’s Keys and all’s well.”

The sentry joins the escort and they continue to walk through the Bloody Tower archway and up towards the steps, where the main guard is drawn up. At the foot of the steps the escort halts and the officer in charge orders the escort and the guard to present arms. The Chief Yeoman Warder walks two steps forward, raises his bonnet and calls “Good preserve Queen Elizabeth”. The guard answers “Amen”. It is now exactly 10 o’clock (the clock chimes ten times). The Chief Yeoman Warder walks away to the Queen’s House and the guard is dismissed.

* When I attended the ceremony in March 2009, we were told by a yeoman that on a few occasions the ceremony was delayed. During the Second World War for example it was once interrupted by an air raid, but it still took place. Even though the delay was well justified, the Officer of the Guard apologised to King George VI (by letter) that the ceremony was being late. The King responded that they were not be punished, because the delay was caused by enemy attack and not on their part.

----

Source:
Wilkinson, Philip. The British Monarchy for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley, 2006.

Website Historic Royal Palaces: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/ceremonyofthekeys.aspx

The Ceremony of the Keys

2010-05-03T11:46:03Z

CaMa:

The Ceremony of the Keys is an ancient ritual, which involves the traditional locking up of the Tower of London. The ceremony “has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years” (website of Historic Royal Palaces).*

Exactly seven minutes to ten o’clock, the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower, appears from the Byward Tower and walks up to Traitor’s Gate. He is wearing a long read coat and the Tudor bonnet, holding a lantern in one and the Queens Keys in the other hand. An escort is awaiting him at Traitors Gate and he hands over the lantern to one of the escorting soldiers. Together they move on to the outer gate. The guard at the outer gate salutes to the Queens Keys, before the Chief Yeoman Warder proceeds to lock up the gate. The escort, now joined by the guard of the outer gate, walk back, locking up the gates of the Middle and Byward Tower in the process. Upon returning to Traitor’s Gate, a sentry is noticing the escort and the following “dialogue” is taking place:

Sentry: “Halt! Who comes there?”

Chief Yeoman Warder: “The Keys!”

Sentry: “Whose Keys?”

Chief Yeoman Warder: “Queen Elizabeth’s Keys.”

Sentry: “Pass Queen Elizabeth’s Keys and all’s well.”

The sentry joins the escort and they continue to walk through the Bloody Tower archway and up towards the steps, where the main guard is drawn up. At the foot of the steps the escort halts and the officer in charge orders the escort and the guard to present arms. The Chief Yeoman Warder walks two steps forward, raises his bonnet and calls “Good preserve Queen Elizabeth”. The guard answers “Amen”. It is now exactly 10 o’clock (the clock chimes ten times). The Chief Yeoman Warder walks away to the Queen’s House and the guard is dismissed.

* When I attended the ceremony in March 2009, we were told by a yeoman that on a few occasions the ceremony was delayed. During the Second World War for example it was once interrupted by an air raid, but it still took place. Even though the delay was well justified, the Officer of the Guard apologised to King George VI (by letter) that the ceremony was being late. The King responded that they were not be punished, because the delay was caused by enemy attack and not on their part.

----

Source:
Wilkinson, Philip. The British Monarchy for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley, 2006.

Website Historic Royal Palaces: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/ceremonyofthekeys.aspx

The Ceremony of the Keys

2010-05-03T11:45:27Z

CaMa:

The Ceremony of the Keys is an ancient ritual, which involves the traditional locking up of the Tower of London. The ceremony “has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years” (website of Historic Royal Palaces).*

Exactly seven minutes to ten o’clock, the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower, appears from the Byward Tower and walks up to Traitor’s Gate. He is wearing a long read coat and the Tudor bonnet, holding a lantern in one and the Queens Keys in the other hand. An escort is awaiting him at Traitors Gate and he hands over the lantern to one of the escorting soldiers. Together they move on to the outer gate. The guard at the outer gate salutes to the Queens Keys, before the Chief Yeoman Warder proceeds to lock up the gate. The escort, now joined by the guard of the outer gate, walk back, locking up the gates of the Middle and Byward Tower in the process. Upon returning to Traitor’s Gate, a sentry is noticing the escort and the following “dialogue” is taking place:

Sentry: “Halt! Who comes there?”

Chief Yeoman Warder: “The Keys!”

Sentry: “Whose Keys?”

Chief Yeoman Warder: “Queen Elizabeth’s Keys.”

Sentry: “Pass Queen Elizabeth’s Keys and all’s well.”

The sentry joins the escort and they continue to walk through the Bloody Tower archway and up towards the steps, where the main guard is drawn up. At the foot of the steps the escort halts and the officer in charge orders the escort and the guard to present arms. The Chief Yeoman Warder walks two steps forward, raises his bonnet and calls “Good preserve Queen Elizabeth”. The guard answers “Amen”. It is now exactly 10 o’clock (the clock chimes ten times). The Chief Yeoman Warder walks away to the Queen’s House and the guard is dismissed.

* When I attended the ceremony in March 2009, we were told by a yeoman that on a few occasions the ceremony was delayed. During the Second World War for example it was once interrupted by an air raid, but it still took place. Even though the delay was well justified, the Officer of the Guard apologised to King George VI (by letter) that the ceremony was being late. The King responded that they were not be punished, because the delay was caused by enemy attack and not on their part.

----

Source:
Wilkinson, Philip. The British Monarchy for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley, 2006.
Website Historic Royal Palaces: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/ceremonyofthekeys.aspx

The Ceremony of the Keys

2010-05-03T11:42:38Z

CaMa: Created page with 'The Ceremony of the Keys is an ancient ritual, which involves the traditional locking up of the Tower of London. The ceremony “has taken place on each and every night, without …'

The Ceremony of the Keys is an ancient ritual, which involves the traditional locking up of the Tower of London. The ceremony “has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years” (website of Historic Royal Palaces).*

Exactly seven minutes to ten o’clock, the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower, appears from the Byward Tower and walks up to Traitor’s Gate. He is wearing a long read coat and the Tudor bonnet, holding a lantern in one and the Queens Keys in the other hand. An escort is awaiting him at Traitors Gate and he hands over the lantern to one of the escorting soldiers. Together they move on to the outer gate. The guard at the outer gate salutes to the Queens Keys, before the Chief Yeoman Warder proceeds to lock up the gate. The escort, now joined by the guard of the outer gate, walk back, locking up the gates of the Middle and Byward Tower in the process. Upon returning to Traitor’s Gate, a sentry is noticing the escort and the following “dialogue” is taking place:

Sentry: “Halt! Who comes there?”
Chief Yeoman Warder: “The Keys!”
Sentry: “Whose Keys?”
Chief Yeoman Warder: “Queen Elizabeth’s Keys.”
Sentry: “Pass Queen Elizabeth’s Keys and all’s well.”

The sentry joins the escort and they continue to walk through the Bloody Tower archway and up towards the steps, where the main guard is drawn up. At the foot of the steps the escort halts and the officer in charge orders the escort and the guard to present arms. The Chief Yeoman Warder walks two steps forward, raises his bonnet and calls “Good preserve Queen Elizabeth”. The guard answers “Amen”. It is now exactly 10 o’clock (the clock chimes ten times). The Chief Yeoman Warder walks away to the Queen’s House and the guard is dismissed.

----

Source:
Wilkinson, Philip. The British Monarchy for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley, 2006.
Website Historic Royal Palaces: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/ceremonyofthekeys.aspx

The Order of the Garter

2010-05-03T09:55:27Z

CaMa:

The Order of the Garter is the oldest British Order of Chivalry. It was founded by [[Edward III]] in 1348 to celebrate the victory at the [[Battle of Crécy]]. The members of the order were called Knights of the Garter and it was inspired by the ideals of [[King Arthur]]’s round table.

The order consists of the sovereign and no more than twenty-four knights, in addition to royal knights (members of the royal family). From the 18th century to 1946 the government gave advice to the appointment of the order, before "the Order returned to its original function as a mark of Royal favour" (The Official Website of The British Monarchy). It is one of the few personal prerogatives of the sovereign to personally choose the knights by honoring those "who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally" (ibid.). The backgrounds of the knights vary today, but most of its history the order was limited to aristocracy.

During the Middle Ages ladies could not become a full member, but they could be associated with the order. Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of [[Henry VII]], was the last woman of the medieval period to be honoured and after her death in 1509 the order stayed exclusively male until the beginning of the 20th century (with the exception of female sovereigns).

St George, the patron saint of soldiers and of England, is the patron of the order and St George’s Chapel in [[Windsor Castle]] is its home (and St George's day, 23 April, is a central day for the celebrations of the Order). Every knight displays a banner of his arms in the Chapel, with a helmet, crest, sword and an enamelled stallplate. The display will be taken down and the insignia have to be returned to the sovereign by the death of the knight. The stallplate stays as a memorial. The membership of the order usually lasts a lifetime, but there are knights who have been degraded or even executed for crimes like heresy, treason or cowardice. For example Lord Scrope of Masham, a friend of Henry V, who was a leader of the Southampton Plot of 1415, which aimed to assassinate Henry.

The Order of the Garter meets every June at Windsor, where new members will be sworn in by taking an oath and investing their insignia. The order meets for lunch at the Waterloo Chamber and attends a service at the St. George’s Chapel. For this special event the knights and ladies wear blue velvet robes with the badge of the order and black velvet hats with white plumes.

According to an old tale, the order got his unusual name when King Edward III noticed a garter belonging to the Countess of Salisbury on the floor one night at a festive gathering in Windsor Castle. The courtiers were making fun of that piece of underwear, but the king picked it up, put it around his own leg and said "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ("shame on him who thinks evil of it"). With this he demonstrated his love for chivalric values.

"Honi soit qui mal y pense" is still the motto of the order.

'''Current Members of the Order of the Garter''' (source: The official website of The British Monarchy)

SOVEREIGN OF THE ORDER - THE QUEEN

'''LADIES OF THE ORDER'''

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL, 23rd April, 1994.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, THE HONOURABLE LADY OGILVY, 23rd April, 2003.

'''ROYAL KNIGHTS COMPANION'''

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE [[Prince Philip|PRINCE PHILIP]], DUKE OF EDINBURGH,
19th November, 1947.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, 26th July, 1958.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF KENT, 9th October, 1985.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, 23rd April, 1997.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF YORK, 23rd April, 2006

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE EARL OF WESSEX, 23rd April, 2006

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS [[Prince William|PRINCE WILLIAM]] OF WALES, 23rd April, 2008

EXTRA KNIGHTS COMPANION AND LADIES OF THE ORDER
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS GRAND DUKE JEAN OF LUXEMBOURG, 14th June, 1972.

HER MAJESTY MARGRETHE II, QUEEN OF DENMARK, 16th May, 1979.

HIS MAJESTY CARL XVI GUSTAF, KING OF SWEDEN, 25th May, 1983.

HIS MAJESTY JUAN CARLOS I, KING OF SPAIN, 17th October, 1988.

HER MAJESTY BEATRIX, QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS, 28th June, 1989.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY AKIHITO, EMPEROR OF JAPAN, 26th May, 1998.

HIS MAJESTY HARALD V, KING OF NORWAY, 30th May, 2001.

'''OFFICERS OF THE ORDER'''

Prelate - The Bishop of Winchester (The Right Reverend Michael Charles SCOTT-JOYNT)

Chancellor - The Right Honourable Lord CARRINGTON, K.G., G.C.M.G., C.H., M.C.

Register - The Dean of Windsor (The Right Reverend David John CONNER)

Garter King of Arms - Mr Thomas Woodcock, LVO.

Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod - Lieutenant General Sir Frederick VIGGERS, K.C.B., C.M.G., M.B.E., D.L.

Secretary - Patric Laurence DICKINSON, L.V.O.Richmond Herald of Arms
The Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor, KCVO, 1998.

'''COMPANIONS (maximum 24)'''

The Most Noble Hugh Denis Charles, Duke of GRAFTON, K.G. 23rd April, 1976.

The Right Honourable Peter Alexander Rupert, Lord CARRINGTON, K.G., G.C.M.G., C.H., M.C.23rd April, 1985.

The Most Noble Arthur Valerian, Duke of WELLINGTON, K.G., L.V.O., O.B.E., M.C.23rd April, 1990.

Field Marshal the Right Honourable Edwin Noel Westby, Lord BRAMALL, K.G., G.C.B., O.B.E., M.C.23rd April, 1990.

The Right Honourable Matthew White, Viscount RIDLEY, K.G., G.C.V.O., T.D. 23rd April, 1992.

The Right Honourable John Davan, Lord SAINSBURY OF PRESTON CANDOVER, K.G.23rd April, 1992.

The Right Honourable John Francis Harcourt, Lord ASHBURTON, K.G., K.C.V.O. 23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Robert, Lord KINGSDOWN, K.G.23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Martin STEPHEN, K.G., A.K., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.B.E., Q.C. 23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Margaret Hilda, Baroness [[Margaret Thatcher|THATCHER]], L.G., O.M., F.R.S. 22nd April, 1995.

Sir Timothy James Alan COLMAN, K.G. 23rd April, 1996.

The Most Noble James, Duke of ABERCORN, K.G. 23rd April, 1999.

Sir Erskine William GLADSTONE, Bt., K.G. 23rd April, 1999.

Field Marshal the Right Honourable Peter Anthony, Lord INGE, K.G., G.C.B. 23rd April, 2001.

Sir Antony Arthur ACLAND, K.G., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2001.

The Most Noble Gerald Cavendish, Duke of WESTMINSTER, K.G., C.B., O.B.E., T.D., C.D. 23rd April, 2003.

The Right Honourable Frederick Edward Robin, Lord BUTLER OF BROCKWELL, K.G., G.C.B., C.V.O. 23rd April, 2003.

The Right Honourable John, Lord MORRIS OF ABERAVON, K.G., Q.C. 23rd April, 2003.

Mary, The Right Honourable Baroness SOAMES, L.G., D.B.E. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Thomas Henry, Lord BINGHAM OF CORNHILL, K.G. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Sir John MAJOR, K.G., C.H. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Richard Napier, Lord LUCE, K.G., G.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2008.

Sir Thomas Raymond DUNNE, K.G., K.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2008

----

Sources:
Wilkinson, Philip. ''The British Monarchy for Dummies''. West Sussex: John Wiley, 2006.

The Official Website of The British Monarchy:
[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Honours/OrderoftheGarter/OrderoftheGarter.aspx]
[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Honours/OrderoftheGarter/MembersoftheOrderoftheGarter.aspx]

Windsor Castle

2010-05-03T09:33:35Z

CaMa:

Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It is the oldest royal residence and the largest occupied castle in the world. In its 900-year history the castle has been expanded, modified and rebuilt many times by several monarchs. The most significant constructions/ changes were made by:

Henry II: rebuilding of the large Round Tower in the 1170s

Edward III: construction of the St. George’s Hall (used by the Knights of the Garter)

Edward IV/ Henry VIII: building of the St. George’s Chapel (15th and 16th century)

George IV: adding the Waterloo Chamber in the 1820s (dedicated to the defeat of the French emperor Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815)

Elizabeth II: restoration of nine main rooms and about 100 smaller rooms (castle caught fire in 1992)

Today the Queen uses Windsor Castle as a private home (usually at the weekend) and as a royal residence. State Visits are often held here. The Queen officially takes residence in Windsor twice a year. Between March and April she is staying for a month over Eastern (known as Easter Court) and in June she is attending the service of the Order of the Garter and the Royal Ascot race.

Despite being a working royal palace, the castle is open to the public.

----
Sources:
Wilkinson, Philip. The British Monarchy for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley, 2006.

The Official Website of The British Monarchy: http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/WindsorCastle/WindsorCastle.aspx

Windsor Castle

2010-05-03T09:32:54Z

CaMa: Created page with 'Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It is the oldest royal residence and the largest occupied castle in the world. In its 900-year…'

Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It is the oldest royal residence and the largest occupied castle in the world.

In its 900-year history the castle has been expanded, modified and rebuilt many times by several monarchs. The most significant constructions/ changes were made by:

Henry II: rebuilding of the large Round Tower in the 1170s

Edward III: construction of the St. George’s Hall (used by the Knights of the Garter)

Edward IV/ Henry VIII: building of the St. George’s Chapel (15th and 16th century)

George IV: adding the Waterloo Chamber in the 1820s (dedicated to the defeat of the French emperor Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815)

Elizabeth II: restoration of nine main rooms and about 100 smaller rooms (castle caught fire in 1992)

Today the Queen uses Windsor Castle as a private home (usually at the weekend) and as a royal residence. State Visits are often held here. The Queen officially takes residence in Windsor twice a year. Between March and April she is staying for a month over Eastern (known as Easter Court) and in June she is attending the service of the Order of the Garter and the Royal Ascot race.

Despite being a working royal palace, the castle is open to the public.

----
Sources:
Wilkinson, Philip. The British Monarchy for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley, 2006.

The Official Website of The British Monarchy: http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/WindsorCastle/WindsorCastle.aspx

The Order of the Garter

2010-04-28T19:06:42Z

CaMa:

The Order of the Garter is the oldest British Order of Chivalry. It was founded by Edward III in 1348 to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Crécy. The members of the order were called Knights of the Garter and it was inspired by the ideals of King Arthur’s round table.

The order consists of the sovereign and no more than twenty-four knights, in addition to royal knights (members of the royal family). From the 18th century to 1946 the government gave advice to the appointment of the order, before “the Order returned to its original function as a mark of Royal favour” (The Official Website of The British Monarchy). It is one of the few personal prerogatives of the sovereign to personally choose the knights by honoring those “who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally” (ibd.). The backgrounds of the knights vary today, but most of its history the order was limited to aristocracy.

During the Middle Ages ladies could not become a full member, but they could be associated with the order. Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, was the last medieval woman to be honoured and after her death in 1509 the order stayed exclusively male until the beginning of the 20th century (with the exception of female sovereigns).

St. George, the patron saint of soldiers and of England, is the patron of the order and the St. George’s Chapel in Windsor is its home. Every knight displays a banner of his arms in the Chapel, with a helmet, crest, sword and an enamelled stallplate. The display will be taken down and the insignia have to be returned to the sovereign by the death of the knight. The stallplate stays as a memorial. The membership of the order usually lasts a lifetime, but there are knights who have been degraded or even executed for crimes like heresy, treason or cowardice.

The Order of the Garter meets every June at Windsor, where new members will be sworn in by taking an oath and investing their insignia. The order meets for lunch at the Waterloo Chamber and attends a service at the St. George’s Chapel. For this special event the knights and ladies wear blue velvet robes with the badge of the order and black velvet hats with white plumes.

According to an old tale, the order got his unusual name when King Edward III noticed a garter belonging to the Countess of Salisbury on the floor one night at a festive gathering in Windsor Castle. The courtiers were making fun of that piece of underwear, but the king picked it up, put it around his own leg and said “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (shame on him who thinks evil of it). With this he demonstrated his love for chivalric values.

“Honi soit qui mal y pense” is still the motto of the order.

'''Current Members of the Order of the Garter''' (taken off The official website of The British Monarchy)

SOVEREIGN OF THE ORDER - THE QUEEN

'''LADIES OF THE ORDER'''

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL, 23rd April, 1994.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, THE HONOURABLE LADY OGILVY,23rd April, 2003.

'''ROYAL KNIGHTS COMPANION'''

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH,
19th November, 1947.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, 26th July, 1958.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF KENT, 9th October, 1985.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, 23rd April, 1997.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF YORK, 23rd April, 2006

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE EARL OF WESSEX, 23rd April, 2006

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES, 23rd April, 2008

EXTRA KNIGHTS COMPANION AND LADIES OF THE ORDER
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS GRAND DUKE JEAN OF LUXEMBOURG, 14th June, 1972.

HER MAJESTY MARGRETHE II, QUEEN OF DENMARK, 16th May, 1979.

HIS MAJESTY CARL XVI GUSTAF, KING OF SWEDEN, 25th May, 1983.

HIS MAJESTY JUAN CARLOS I, KING OF SPAIN, 17th October, 1988.

HER MAJESTY BEATRIX, QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS, 28th June, 1989.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY AKIHITO, EMPEROR OF JAPAN, 26th May, 1998.

HIS MAJESTY HARALD V, KING OF NORWAY, 30th May, 2001.

'''OFFICERS OF THE ORDER'''

Prelate - The Bishop of Winchester (The Right Reverend Michael Charles SCOTT-JOYNT)

Chancellor - The Right Honourable Lord CARRINGTON, K.G., G.C.M.G., C.H., M.C.

Register - The Dean of Windsor (The Right Reverend David John CONNER)

Garter King of Arms - Mr Thomas Woodcock, LVO.

Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod - Lieutenant General Sir Frederick VIGGERS, K.C.B., C.M.G., M.B.E., D.L.

Secretary - Patric Laurence DICKINSON, L.V.O.Richmond Herald of Arms
The Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor, KCVO, 1998.

'''COMPANIONS (maximum 24)'''

The Most Noble Hugh Denis Charles, Duke of GRAFTON, K.G. 23rd April, 1976.

The Right Honourable Peter Alexander Rupert, Lord CARRINGTON, K.G., G.C.M.G., C.H., M.C.23rd April, 1985.

The Most Noble Arthur Valerian, Duke of WELLINGTON, K.G., L.V.O., O.B.E., M.C.23rd April, 1990.

Field Marshal the Right Honourable Edwin Noel Westby, Lord BRAMALL, K.G., G.C.B., O.B.E., M.C.23rd April, 1990.

The Right Honourable Matthew White, Viscount RIDLEY, K.G., G.C.V.O., T.D. 23rd April, 1992.

The Right Honourable John Davan, Lord SAINSBURY OF PRESTON CANDOVER, K.G.23rd April, 1992.

The Right Honourable John Francis Harcourt, Lord ASHBURTON, K.G., K.C.V.O. 23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Robert, Lord KINGSDOWN, K.G.23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Martin STEPHEN, K.G., A.K., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.B.E., Q.C. 23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Margaret Hilda, Baroness THATCHER, L.G., O.M., F.R.S. 22nd April, 1995.

Sir Timothy James Alan COLMAN, K.G. 23rd April, 1996.

The Most Noble James, Duke of ABERCORN, K.G. 23rd April, 1999.

Sir Erskine William GLADSTONE, Bt., K.G. 23rd April, 1999.

Field Marshal the Right Honourable Peter Anthony, Lord INGE, K.G., G.C.B. 23rd April, 2001.

Sir Antony Arthur ACLAND, K.G., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2001.

The Most Noble Gerald Cavendish, Duke of WESTMINSTER, K.G., C.B., O.B.E., T.D., C.D. 23rd April, 2003.

The Right Honourable Frederick Edward Robin, Lord BUTLER OF BROCKWELL, K.G., G.C.B., C.V.O. 23rd April, 2003.

The Right Honourable John, Lord MORRIS OF ABERAVON, K.G., Q.C. 23rd April, 2003.

Mary, The Right Honourable Baroness SOAMES, L.G., D.B.E. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Thomas Henry, Lord BINGHAM OF CORNHILL, K.G. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Sir John MAJOR, K.G., C.H. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Richard Napier, Lord LUCE, K.G., G.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2008.

Sir Thomas Raymond DUNNE, K.G., K.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2008

----

Sources:
Wilkinson, Philip. The British Monarchy for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2006.

The Official Website of The British Monarchy:
[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Honours/OrderoftheGarter/OrderoftheGarter.aspx]
[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Honours/OrderoftheGarter/MembersoftheOrderoftheGarter.aspx]

The Order of the Garter

2010-04-28T19:06:05Z

CaMa: Created page with 'The Order of the Garter is the oldest British Order of Chivalry. It was founded by Edward III in 1348 to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Crécy. The members of the order w…'

The Order of the Garter is the oldest British Order of Chivalry. It was founded by Edward III in 1348 to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Crécy. The members of the order were called Knights of the Garter and it was inspired by the ideals of King Arthur’s round table.

The order consists of the sovereign and no more than twenty-four knights, in addition to royal knights (members of the royal family). From the 18th century to 1946 the government gave advice to the appointment of the order, before “the Order returned to its original function as a mark of Royal favour” (The Official Website of The British Monarchy). It is one of the few personal prerogatives of the sovereign to personally choose the knights by honoring those “who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally” (ibd.). The backgrounds of the knights vary today, but most of its history the order was limited to aristocracy.

During the Middle Ages ladies could not become a full member, but they could be associated with the order. Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, was the last medieval woman to be honoured and after her death in 1509 the order stayed exclusively male until the beginning of the 20th century (with the exception of female sovereigns).

St. George, the patron saint of soldiers and of England, is the patron of the order and the St. George’s Chapel in Windsor is its home. Every knight displays a banner of his arms in the Chapel, with a helmet, crest, sword and an enamelled stallplate. The display will be taken down and the insignia have to be returned to the sovereign by the death of the knight. The stallplate stays as a memorial. The membership of the order usually lasts a lifetime, but there are knights who have been degraded or even executed for crimes like heresy, treason or cowardice.

The Order of the Garter meets every June at Windsor, where new members will be sworn in by taking an oath and investing their insignia. The order meets for lunch at the Waterloo Chamber and attends a service at the St. George’s Chapel. For this special event the knights and ladies wear blue velvet robes with the badge of the order and black velvet hats with white plumes.

According to an old tale, the order got his unusual name when King Edward III noticed a garter belonging to the Countess of Salisbury on the floor one night at a festive gathering in Windsor Castle. The courtiers were making fun of that piece of underwear, but the king picked it up, put it around his own leg and said “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (shame on him who thinks evil of it). With this he demonstrated his love for chivalric values.

“Honi soit qui mal y pense” is still the motto of the order.

'''Current Members of the Order of the Garter''' (taken off The official website of The British Monarchy)

SOVEREIGN OF THE ORDER - THE QUEEN

'''LADIES OF THE ORDER'''

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL, 23rd April, 1994.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, THE HONOURABLE LADY OGILVY,23rd April, 2003.

'''ROYAL KNIGHTS COMPANION'''

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH,
19th November, 1947.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, 26th July, 1958.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF KENT, 9th October, 1985.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, 23rd April, 1997.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF YORK, 23rd April, 2006

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE EARL OF WESSEX, 23rd April, 2006

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES, 23rd April, 2008

EXTRA KNIGHTS COMPANION AND LADIES OF THE ORDER
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS GRAND DUKE JEAN OF LUXEMBOURG, 14th June, 1972.

HER MAJESTY MARGRETHE II, QUEEN OF DENMARK, 16th May, 1979.

HIS MAJESTY CARL XVI GUSTAF, KING OF SWEDEN, 25th May, 1983.

HIS MAJESTY JUAN CARLOS I, KING OF SPAIN, 17th October, 1988.

HER MAJESTY BEATRIX, QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS, 28th June, 1989.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY AKIHITO, EMPEROR OF JAPAN, 26th May, 1998.

HIS MAJESTY HARALD V, KING OF NORWAY, 30th May, 2001.

'''OFFICERS OF THE ORDER'''

Prelate - The Bishop of Winchester (The Right Reverend Michael Charles SCOTT-JOYNT)

Chancellor - The Right Honourable Lord CARRINGTON, K.G., G.C.M.G., C.H., M.C.

Register - The Dean of Windsor (The Right Reverend David John CONNER)

Garter King of Arms - Mr Thomas Woodcock, LVO.

Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod - Lieutenant General Sir Frederick VIGGERS, K.C.B., C.M.G., M.B.E., D.L.

Secretary - Patric Laurence DICKINSON, L.V.O.Richmond Herald of Arms
The Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor, KCVO, 1998.

'''COMPANIONS (maximum 24)'''

The Most Noble Hugh Denis Charles, Duke of GRAFTON, K.G. 23rd April, 1976.

The Right Honourable Peter Alexander Rupert, Lord CARRINGTON, K.G., G.C.M.G., C.H., M.C.23rd April, 1985.

The Most Noble Arthur Valerian, Duke of WELLINGTON, K.G., L.V.O., O.B.E., M.C.23rd April, 1990.

Field Marshal the Right Honourable Edwin Noel Westby, Lord BRAMALL, K.G., G.C.B., O.B.E., M.C.23rd April, 1990.

The Right Honourable Matthew White, Viscount RIDLEY, K.G., G.C.V.O., T.D. 23rd April, 1992.

The Right Honourable John Davan, Lord SAINSBURY OF PRESTON CANDOVER, K.G.23rd April, 1992.

The Right Honourable John Francis Harcourt, Lord ASHBURTON, K.G., K.C.V.O. 23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Robert, Lord KINGSDOWN, K.G.23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Martin STEPHEN, K.G., A.K., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.B.E., Q.C. 23rd April, 1994.

The Right Honourable Margaret Hilda, Baroness THATCHER, L.G., O.M., F.R.S. 22nd April, 1995.

Sir Timothy James Alan COLMAN, K.G. 23rd April, 1996.

The Most Noble James, Duke of ABERCORN, K.G. 23rd April, 1999.

Sir Erskine William GLADSTONE, Bt., K.G. 23rd April, 1999.

Field Marshal the Right Honourable Peter Anthony, Lord INGE, K.G., G.C.B. 23rd April, 2001.

Sir Antony Arthur ACLAND, K.G., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2001.

The Most Noble Gerald Cavendish, Duke of WESTMINSTER, K.G., C.B., O.B.E., T.D., C.D. 23rd April, 2003.

The Right Honourable Frederick Edward Robin, Lord BUTLER OF BROCKWELL, K.G., G.C.B., C.V.O. 23rd April, 2003.

The Right Honourable John, Lord MORRIS OF ABERAVON, K.G., Q.C. 23rd April, 2003.

Mary, The Right Honourable Baroness SOAMES, L.G., D.B.E. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Thomas Henry, Lord BINGHAM OF CORNHILL, K.G. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Sir John MAJOR, K.G., C.H. 23rd April, 2005.

The Right Honourable Richard Napier, Lord LUCE, K.G., G.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2008.

Sir Thomas Raymond DUNNE, K.G., K.C.V.O. 23rd April, 2008

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Sources:
Wilkinson, Philip. The British Monarchy for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2006.
The Official Website of The British Monarchy:
[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Honours/OrderoftheGarter/OrderoftheGarter.aspx]
[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Honours/OrderoftheGarter/MembersoftheOrderoftheGarter.aspx]