GARTER

GARTER, a ligature for tying up the stocking; but particularly used for the badge of a noble order of knights, hence denominated the Order of the GARTER, a military order of knighthood, the most noble and ancient of any lay-order in the world, instituted by Edward III. This order consists of twenty-six knights-companions, generally princes and peers, whereof the king of England is the sovereign or chief. They are a college or corporation, having a great and little seal. Their officers are a prelate, chancellor, register, king at arms, and usher of the black rod. They have also a dean with twelve canons, and petty canons, vergers, and twenty-six pensioners or poor knights. The prelate is the head. This office is vested in the bishop of Winchester, and has ever been so. Next to the prelate is the chancellor; which office is vested in the bishop of Salisbury, who keeps the seals, &c. The next is the register, who by his oath is to enter upon the registry, the scrutinies, elections, penalties, and other acts of the order, with all fidelity. The fourth officer is garter, and king at arms, being two distinct offices united in one person. Garter carries the rod and sceptre at the feast of St George, the protector of this order, when the sovereign is present. He notifies the elections of new knights, attends the solemnity of their installations, carries the garter to the foreign princes, &c. He is the principal officer within the college of arms, and chief of the heralds. See KING at arms. All these officers, except the prelate, have fees and pensions. The college of the order is seated in the castle of Windsor, with the chapel of St George, and the charter-house, erected by the founder for that purpose. The habit and ensign of the order are, a garter, mantle, cape, george, and collar. The four first were assigned the knights-companions by the founder; and the george and collar by Henry VIII. The garter (Plate LXXXVI. fig. 2. No 1.) challenges pre-eminence.