GARTER, principal King at Arms. This office was instituted by Henry V.
Garter, and principal king at arms, are two distinct offices united in one person: Garter's employment is to attend the service of the order of the Garter; for which he is allowed a mantle and badge, a house in Windsor castle, and pensions both from the sovereign and knights, and lastly, fees. He also carries the rod and sceptre at every feast of St George, when the sovereign is present, and notifies the election of such as are new chosen; attends the solemnity of their installations, takes care of placing their arms over their seats; and carries the garter to foreign kings and princes, for which services it has been usual to join him in commission with some peer, or other person of distinction.
Garter's oath relates only to services being performed within the order, and is taken in chapter before the sovereign knights. His oath, as king at arms, is taken before the earl marshal.