Congratulations to Sir David Brewer on becoming a Knight of the Garter. Sir David, who was Secretary of the PCC from 1969-1973, last visited Hampstead Parish Church for the Flower Festival in 2012.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter
The Oldest and Highest British Order of Chivalry, founded in 1348 by Edward III.
The Order consists of Her Majesty The Queen who is Sovereign of the Order, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and 24 Knights Companions.
The origin of the symbol of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a blue ‘garter’ with the motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense will probably never be known for certain as the earliest records of the order were destroyed by fire, however the story goes that at a Ball possibly held at Calais, Joan Countess of Salisbury dropped her garter and King Edward seeing her embarrassment picked it up and bound it about his own leg saying in French, Evil, (or shamed) be he that that thinks evil of it’ this is almost certainly a later fiction. This fable appears to have originated in France and was, perhaps, invented to try and bring discredit on the Order. There is a natural unwillingness to believe that the World’s foremost Order of Chivalry had so frivolous a beginning.
It is thought more likely that as the garter was a small strap used as a device to attach pieces of armour, it might have been thought appropriate to use the garter as a symbol of binding together in common brotherhood. Whilst the motto probably refers to the leading political topic of the 1340’s, Edward’s claim to the throne of France. The patron saint of the Order of the Garter is St George and as he is the patron saint of soldiers and also of England, the spiritual home of the order has therefore always been St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The patron saint of the Order is St George who is the patron saint of soldiers and also of England; the spiritual home of the Order is St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Every knight is required to display a banner of his arms in the Chapel, together with a helmet, crest, sword and an enamelled stallplate. These ‘achievements’ are taken down on the knight’s death and the insignia are returned to the Sovereign. The stallplates remain as a memorial and these now form one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world.
The holders of this Order as a Knights Companion, entitles the recipient the right to use the title ‘Sir’ before their Christian names as well as being entitled to add the letters ‘K.G’ ( Knight of the Garter ) or in the case of a Lady Companion ‘L.G.’ Lady of the Garter, after their surnames or title.
Taken from http://www.heraldicsculptor.com/Garters.html
Former PCC Secretary in Birthday Honours List