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King Edward III

(1312–1377) is one of the most important rulers of the English Middle Ages.

Not only because he built his country into a powerful military power during his 50-year rule, with which he opened the Hundred Years War against France in 1337.

But Eduard also found ways and means to inspire the English nobility for the great goal: to win the French throne, to which Eduard, as the grandson of Philip IV, could make reliable claims.

Because his successor Charles IV died without a male heir.

That Edward's company offered a good chance of acquiring booty and fame, he had proven in 1346, when he defeated the French army of knights, outnumbered at Crécy.

A year later, after a siege of eleven months, the important port of Calais was captured.

So the king had good reasons to put into practice the plan he had already expressed some time ago and to bind his knighthood even more closely by creating an order.

The establishment of this Garter Order on January 19, 1348 was preceded by a piquant mishap.

Eduard, although married to Philippa von Hennegau since 1328, kept himself a mistress - according to the monarchical customs of his time.

This Catherine Grandison, Countess of Salisbury, lost her composure during a dance with her blue garter belt, because the court party could glimpse an intimate piece of clothing that was not made for their eyes.

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With his presence of mind, Eduard covered up the embarrassing faux pas by picking up the garter and tying it to his own leg.

He is said to have shouted: "Honi soit qui mal y pense", in German: "A rogue who thinks evil." The exclamation became the motto of the order.

According to another tradition, the king is said to have spread his cloak around his distraught lover.

Edward III.

is one of the most important English kings of the Middle Ages

Source: Getty Images

Eduard placed the order in the tradition of the legendary round table of King Arthur.

He proved the importance he attached to its foundation by immediately making his eldest son Eduard a member.

He had distinguished himself as the "Black Prince" in the battle of Crécy by withstanding the furious attacks of the French with his right wing.

Unlike his predecessors, Eduard III.

generously with the award of titles and even created an additional rank: the "Duke".

This was intended for close relatives.

“Honi soit qui mal y pense” (A rogue who thinks bad ”): The motto in French adorns the order

Source: Getty Images

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In doing so, he strengthened the loyalty of the nobility, who increasingly felt themselves to be "English", not least because of the campaigns in France.

Because after the victory of the Norman Wilhelm in 1066 at Hastings, French-speaking barons from Normandy replaced the Anglo-Saxon landlords.

But now the Norman knights found an English identity, which Eduard reinforced by raising "Middle English" as the official language.

Even today, the Order of the Garter is the highest order of knights in the United Kingdom.

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