ENGLISH ORDER GARTER

In 1350 English King Edward III returned to their homeland after the glorious victories that he won from the city of Calais, and with Kreso, where the French were defeated. To vosslavit his victorious troops, the King wanted to establish a knightly order. One of the main goals of the Order is to give a greater luster to the endless war that the king has long had with the King of France. Edward III had to be that war are perceived as excellent adventure, which should seek the noble and brave knights, to defeat the enemy unjustly robbed of their rightful inheritance of his overlord.

Chronicles show that with the establishment of the Order of English king apparently was referring to a sample of Knights of Round Table. In the historical chronicles in this respect there is much confusion, and as a result of a single as a "fuse" the time of the creation of a new order and a great tournament, the Round Table in Windsor Castle. Hronist Jean de Belle said that the King "in the nobility of his heart has decided that the rebuilt castle of Windsor, who once built and where Arthur was first installed Roundtable, in honor of his valiant knights, then with him and served him so well.

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King greatly appreciated their service and found them so noble, that, according to him, like they do not find it in any other kingdom. And it seemed that whatever honor he never had them, they may not be prohibitive - so much of it (these knights) loved. And our King declared throughout the kingdom, which will be arranged a great feast and a big reception on the occasion of the establishment of the Round Table, and invited him on every side of noble ladies and maidens, knights and armor to come to this great celebration . . . "

At Windsor Castle has been built an extension to the collection of knights, as the title for the Knights′ Union have still not been found. And then on the stage of history is a wonderful lady by the historical chronicles is called differently: Queen Philippa, Countess of Kent and Countess Salisbury. But most likely, the beautiful lady was the Countess Salisbury - courageous beauty, which for several years before the events with several knights and servants lived in the castle of Work in the north of England. Then her husband languished in a French prisoner, and, taking advantage of this circumstance, the Scottish King David besieged castle.

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Advocates, led by the Countess otbili all attempts to assault, and then the Scots began to prepare for a long siege. It seemed that the castle and its defenders were doomed, but then they came to rescue the English army, led by the young Edward III.

At a ball at Windsor Countess Salisbury lost embroidered blue garter with his ceremonial dress. Garter fell to the stone floor, and the King, stopped, stared at the elegant ribbon besprent gems. However, many court interpreted the meaning glance of King because of his passion for beauty, Countess was not secret. Dancing stopped, and all the parties even began to sing the muted Smeshko. King understood the reason for their laughter court, but he bent down, lifted himself from the floor and fastened a garter on her sleeve. And then he took the words which later became the motto of the Order: "Let it be a shame to those who think bad about it. "

Some scholars doubt the authenticity of the history of Countess of Salisbury, but another explanation for a strange, seemingly, and the motto of the Order of characters in modern science does not. Although there were other assumptions: if this band belonged to the king, and he gave her a sign to the beginning of the battle, tied suspension, by the end of the spears.

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But then who, and why might consider this bad?

Shortly after the ball, in the Cathedral of St. George - the patron of warriors, King Edward III has collected the most famous warriors of English kingdoms - 24 of their loyal knights, who distinguished themselves in battle with Kreso. Some of them belonged to the higher British aristocracy, the other, it′s not high-profile titles have been brave and courageous. So in the middle of XIV century in England was established secular Order of the Garter. Subsequently, he was considered almost a "direct descendant" of King Arthur′s Round Table. The Order of the Garter was the highest British award, to which all the courtiers had already started, but gave it only for the very great contribution.

The Order of the Garter revealed those features that have subsequently become mandatory for such alliances: a limited number of members of the Knights to only one order, the entry of another order, it was simply unthinkable. Only sometimes for friendly rulers of other countries, or close to make exceptions, but this is not always welcomed. For example, the French King Louis XI had accused the Duke of Burgundy Charles bold treason, when he agreed to become an honorary member of the Order of the Garter.

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English Order of the Garter was the intermediate step between the Order as a sign of belonging to a certain number of persons and the Order-award. Signs of the secular order, which emerged later, were of various shapes, stressing its difference from the religious orders, they are rarely cruciform. The Charter of the Order of the Garter listed items vestments and insignia, determine the color of the costumes and their supports, as well as the inscription on the suspender; specified events for which the required dress attire. Badge of the Order is embroidered in gold garter, but then there were other signs - "routine": figurine of St. George on horseback, twist of hair, a picture of deer, swans, hunting horns, etc.

Silver Star Order of the Garter, diamond cut and has eight elongated shape. At the heart of it - chetyrehkonechny equilateral cross, covered with red enamel, and around the cross depicts ribbon with the motto of the Order. The reverse side of the star is located 8 gold slats, which provide the mobility of it all, and 8 loops to sew on a star to dress.

Russian Tsar Peter I during his visit, denied the honor to become a knight of the Order of the English, as was already thinking about the establishment of a national Russian Order.

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In Russia, holder of the Order of the Garter were emperors Alexander I, Nicholas I and Alexander II.

The Order of the Garter is in England to this day: all the great men of England was honored to become a cavalry of the Order, but its membership never exceeded 24 people. In the day of the Order wear a medieval costume, which includes swift white tights, and knee povyazyvayut under the left leg (ladies - above elbow), the blue silk ribbon with a gold buckle, embroidered slogan on which the Order: "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" ;.