by William Harrison 1534-1593

A Tale of a Garter

Following the Battle of Crécy in 1346, Edward III instituted an order of chivalry in honour of St George, inspired (some said) by something he picked up in the street.

1346

King Edward III 1327-1377

By John Hoppner (1758–1810).

George, Prince of Wales (1762-1830), painted in the 1790s when he was Prince of Wales and before he took on the role of Prince regent for his father, King George III. Prince George succeeded his father in 1820, becoming King George IV. He is shown in the ceremonial dress of the Order of the Garter, with the distinctive blue garter band on his shoulder encircling a cross of St George. On the band is written ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense,’ which translates as ‘Shame on him who things ill of it,’ thought to be a riposte to those who spoke out against Edward III’s campaign for the French throne.

Introduction

Two years after the Battle of Crécy in 1346, King Edward III instituted the Order of the Garter for twenty-six companions who had helped him to victory. Its colours were those of France, and the motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ (shame on him who thinks ill of it) was a rebuff to those who questioned Edward’s claim to the French crown. Rumours abounded as to why Edward chose a garter for the emblem.

by William Harrison 1534-1593

abridged

THE order of the garter therefore was devised in the time of King Edward the Third, and (as some write) upon this occasion. The queen’s majesty then living,* being departed from his presence the next way toward her lodging, he following soon after happened to find her garter, which slacked by chance and so fell from her leg, unespied in the throng by such as attended upon her. His grooms and gentlemen also passed by it, as disdaining to stoop and take up such a trifle: but he, knowing the owner, commanded one of them to stay and reach it up to him.

“Why, and like your grace,” saith a gentleman, “it is but some woman’s garter that hath fallen from her as she followed the queen’s majesty.”

“Whatsoever it be,” quoth the king, “take it up and give it me.”

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* Edward’s Queen, Philippa of Hainault, died on August 15th, 1369. They were married in 1328. Edward died in 1377. The Order of the Garter was probably instituted in 1348.

Précis

Once when Edward III was travelling with his courtiers a member of the party spotted a garter lying in the road. Edward guessed it had been lost by Queen Philippa, who had gone on ahead, and asked to see it. His courtiers protested that it was of no worth, but the King insisted.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Where as the queen’s blue garter found?

Suggestion

In the road, after she had passed.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

The king spotted a lady’s garter. It was in lying on the road. He asked a courtier to pick it up.

Clay Lane The Copybook

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