Garter

Order of the, the highest order of British knighthood. The order was established by Edward III about 1344-1350. The garter is a blue velvet ribbon, edged with gold, and having a gold buckle. It is worn on the left knee, or, if the sovereign be a woman, on the left arm. Other insignia are the badge known as the Great George, the Lesser George, the star of eight points, and the vesture, consisting of a blue velvet mantle, a crimson hood and surcoat, a hat of black velvet set off with a plume of white ostrich feathers, and a tuft of black heron feathers. The king and the Prince of Wales are members; farther membership was once elective, but it is now a mere social honor extended by the king. The honor may be conferred on foreign sovereigns. The whole order numbers about fifty knights. The motto of the order is, "Honi soit qui mal y pense."