many notable victories, taken King John of France, and King James
of Scotland (and kept them both prisoners in the Tower of London at one
time), expelled King Henry of Castille, the bastard, out of his realm, and
restored Don Pedro unto it (by the help of the Prince of Wales and Duke of
Aquitaine, his eldest son, called the Black Prince), he then invented this
society of honour, and made a choice out of his own realm and dominions,
and throughout all Christendom of the best, most excellent, and renowned
persons in all virtues and honour, and adorned them with that title to be
knights of his order, giving them a garter garnished with gold and
precious stones, to wear daily on the left leg only; also a kirtle, gown,
cloak, chaperon, collar, and other solemn and magnificent apparel, both of
stuff and fashion exquisite and heroical to wear at high feasts, and as to
so high and princely an order appertaineth.

* * * * *

The order of the garter therefore was devised in the time of King Edward
the Third, and (as some write) upon this occasion. The queen's majesty
then living, being departed from his presence the next way toward her
lodging, he following soon after happened to find her garter, which
slacked by chance and so fell from her leg, unespied in the throng by such
as attended upon her. His grooms and gentlemen also passed by it, as
disdaining to stoop and take up such a trifle: but he, knowing the owner,
commanded one of them to stay and reach it up to him. "Why, and like your
grace," saith a gentleman, "it is but some woman's garter that hath fallen
from her as she followed the queen's majesty." "Whatsoever it be," quoth
the king, "take it up and give it me." So when he had received the garter,
he said to such as stood about him: "You, my masters, do make small
account of this blue garter here," and therewith held it out, "but, if God
lend me life for a few months, I will make the proudest of you all to
reverence the like." And even upon this slender occasion he gave himself
to the devising of this order. Certes, I have not read of anything that
having had so simple a beginning hath grown in the end to so great honour
and estimation.[62]

* * * * *

There is yet another order of knights in England called knights bannerets,
who are made in the field with the ceremony of cutting away the point of
his pennant of arms, and making it as it were a banner, so t