The Order of the Garter (originally known as the Order of St George) is a British dignitary awarded for chivalry. The origin of the order, though sometimes assigned to Richard I, is generally attributed to Edward III, the legend being that the Countess of Salisbury having dropped her garter while dancing, the king restored it, after putting it round his own leg, with the words, which became the motto of the order, 'Honi soit quimal y pense' - Shame be to him who thinks evil of it. The date of the foundation or restoration by Edward III of the order, as given by Froissart, is 1344, while other authorities, founding on the statutes of the order, assign it to 1350.
The statutes of the order have been repeatedly revised, more particularly in the reigns of Henry V, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and George III in 1805. Ladies are said to have been admitted up until the reign of Edward IV. Until the reign of Edward VI the common title of the order was the Order of St George, and it still bears this title, as well as that of the Garter. The original number of knights was twenty-six, including the sovereign, who was its permanent head; and this number is still retained, except that by a statute passed in 1786 princes of the blood are admitted as supernumerary members.
The peculiar emblem of the order, the garter, a dark-blue ribbon edged with gold, bearing the motto and with a gold buckle and pendant, is worn on the left leg below the knee. The mantle is of blue velvet, lined with white taffeta, the surcoat and hood of crimsonvelvet, the hat of black velvet, with plume of white ostrich feathers, having in the centre a tuft of black heron's feathers. The collar of gold consists of knots alternating with garters inclosing roses, with the badge of the order, called the George pendent from it. This consists of a figure of St George on horseback fighting the dragon. The lesser George is worn on a broad blue ribbon over the left shoulder. The star, formerly only a cross, is of silver, and consists of eight points, with the cross of St George in the centre, encircled by the garter. A star is worn by the knights on the left side when not in the dress of the order.
The Order of the Thistle is a Scottish order of knighthood. It was founded in 1687 by James II. The order consists of the sovereign and sixteen knights. The knights wear a collar of thistles, alternating with double sprigs of rue in saltire in their proper colours and pendant there from a golden star of eight rays, called the glory. Upon the star is the figure of St Andrew in a green and purple cloak, holding in front of him a white saltire. The ribbon is green. The motto of the order is Nemo me impune lacessit. Research Order of the Thistle
The Greyhound is a variety of dog distinguished by a greater length of muzzle than any other; very low forehead, short lips, thin and long legs, small muscles, contracted belly and semi pendant ears.
There are several varieties, as the Irish greyhound, the Scottish, the Russian, the Italian, and the Turkish. The common greyhound is of an elegant make of body, and is universally known as the fleetest of dogs. A good hound has a fine, soft, flexible skin, with thin, silky hair, a great length of nose, contracting gradually from the eye to the nostril, a full, clear, and penetrating eye, small ears, erect head, long neck, chest capacious, deep, but not wide, shoulders deep and placed obliquely, ribs well arched, contracted belly and flank, a great depth from the hips to the hocks of the hind-legs, fore-legs straight, and shorter than the hinder. The name appears to have no reference to the colour, but is derived from the Icelandic grey, a dog.
Greyhounds were originally used for coursing, for which their peculiar shape, strength, keenness of sight and speed make them exceedingly well fitted, but are now bred for racing, being the fastest running dogs. As a pet Greyhounds are very gentle and affectionate - but should be kept away from small mammals such as pet rabbits - but require wide open spaces to run about in. Research Greyhound
Evariste Regis Hue was a French missionary and traveller. He was born in 1813 and died in 1860. After studying theology, about 1837 he entered the order of the Lazarist Fathers, was ordained priest in 1838, in 1839 went to China as a missionary, and in company with Pere Gabet made a journey of exploration in the interior of the empire and of Tibet. After this he returned in poor health to France, where he published Souvenirs d'un Voyage dans la Tartarie Ie Thibet et la Chinependant les Annees 1844, 1845, et 1846; L'Empire Chinois (1857); Le Christianisme enChine (1857). Research Evariste Hue
The Ankh was the ancient Egyptian amulet of life symbolising immortality and life that is to come. It was formed of the combined male and female symbols of Osiris and Isis. It was usually employed as a pendant for a necklace. Research Ankh
An infula was originally a Roman sacredfillet, made of wool, worn on the head by priests, victims, and persons who fled to any place for mercy or protection. It was also worn by the emperors and magistrates on solemn occasions. The name was later applied to the head-dress of a Christian priest, and, still later to a pendantornament at he back of a mitre. Research Infula
A tippet is a cape of fur or other material for the shoulders. Tippets are an item of the official costume of judges and clergy, and frequently formed part of the outdoor livery of coachmen and footmen. Anciently the tippet was the pendant part of the hood or sleeve. Research Tippet
In architecture a pendant post is a part of the framing of an open timber roof. It is a post set close against the wall, and resting upon a corbel or other solid support, and supporting the ends of a collar beam or any part of the roof. Research Pendant Post
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Abbreviations
Research Order of the Garter
