The Most Noble Order of the Garter

A ~ Ba ~ Be ~ Br ~ Ca ~ Cl ~ Da ~ Di ~ E ~ F
Ga ~ Go ~ Ha ~ Har ~ He ~ Ho ~ I ~ J ~ Ka ~ Ki
Km ~ Kr ~ La ~ Le ~ Li ~ Ma ~ Mc ~ Md ~ Mi ~ Na
Ne ~ O ~ Pa ~ Pe ~ Ph ~ Ra ~ Ro ~ Sa ~ Schu ~ Si
Sta ~ Ste ~ TU ~ V ~ Wa ~ Wh ~ Wo ~ XYZ

The Most Noble Order of the Garter was established by members of the Royal Court at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival as an award for characters who demonstrate the quality of chivalry and who have been of service to the crown.

Great Britain’s Order of the Garter was founded by King Edward III of England in 1348 and remains one of the most exclusive and renowned chivalric orders in the world. In the 20th century such notables as Sir Winston Churchill have been appointed to the order. To view some pictues of Garter regalia and it's history, Click Here .

Our version of the Order is modeled on the real Order of the Garter, but has been adapted for use in the pseudo-historical setting of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, which is loosely based on 16th century Europe (with 16th century England providing the model for the customs of the Royal Court). To view some pictures of the '97 Initiation Ceremony, Click Here.

Similar to it’s namesake, our Order is limited to 26 Companions, and the monarch (HM King Henry) is Sovereign of the Order. We have both male (Knight of the Garter) and female (Lady of the Garter) Companions unlike the real order, which did not have Ladies of the Garter in our period (although they started appointing Ladies of the Garter in the 1990s, including Margaret Thatcher).

The members of our Order at the Renaissance Festival wear a garter which is a replica of the ones worn by the real Knights of the Garter. They are made of blue velvet and embroidered in gold with the order's motto ("HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE"). Knights wear it buckled around the left leg just below the left knee while Ladies wear it around the left arm above the elbow. Despite the legends as to why it was chosen, it was probably an item of male attire, possibly an arming strap, for women did not wear garters of this type. This Garter belonged to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington who was appointed to the Order in 1813.

Members also wear the Star of the Order pinned to the left breast (the Star was not introduced until 1625 by Charles I so they aren’t strictly period for the Festival, but they look darn good). Some Knights also have a short cloak with a large garter star embroidered on the left breast.

New members are elected by the Companions, unlike the real order in which the new members are theoretically elected by all the Companions but actually chosen by the Sovereign. The choice of new members is kept a secret from all outside the order (including the new members) until the annual investiture ceremony at the King’s Arbor (usually post-parade late in the run). The ceremony is an opportunity for great pomp and circumstance and includes some touches from the ceremonial of the real order.

The Admonition proclaimed as the garter is buckled onto the new companion:
To the honor of God omnipotent and in memorial of the blessed martyr St. George, tie about thy leg, for thy Renown, this most noble Garter. Wear it as a symbol of the most illustrious Order never to be forgotten or laid aside, that having undertaken a just cause, with which thou shalt be engaged, thou mayest stand firm, valiantly fight, courageously and successfully conquer.

The Oath:
You being chosen to be of the Honourable Company of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, shall promise and swear, that wittlingly or willingly you shall not break any Statutes of the said Order, or any article in them contained (except in such from which you have received a dispensation from the Sovereign), The same being agreeable and not repugnant to the Laws of Almighty God, and the Laws of this realm, as farforth as to you belongeth and appertaineth, so God help you and his Holy Word.

The earliest Knights were mostly Royal Court members but one does not have to be a noble to be eligible, and the Order includes among its Companions William Shakespeare and the Lord Mayor.

John Neitz (AKA the Earl of Wessex KG, Lord Chamberlain of the Realme)