The Statutes of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
Heraldry. Henry, Duke of Kent
1713
Sold
Early eighteenth-century manuscript of the Statutes of the Order of the Garter - in a contemporary armorial binding - illustrated with two lavish full-page colour illuminations heightened with gilt.
The Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348 (although earlier and later dates have been proposed) to include the Sovereign, Prince of Wales and twenty-four members and is dedicated to St. George. The Order has the motto 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' which, it is thought, originated when the Countess of Salisbury lost her garter at Eltham Palace while dancing provoking slanderous hilarity among the onlooking courtiers. Edward III picked up the garter, tied it to his own leg and exclaimed 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' ('Shame to him who thinks evil of it'). The Order of the Garter retains its place at the pinnacle of the English honours sytem and membership is in the gift of the Sovereign.
The Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348 (although earlier and later dates have been proposed) to include the Sovereign, Prince of Wales and twenty-four members and is dedicated to St. George. The Order has the motto 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' which, it is thought, originated when the Countess of Salisbury lost her garter at Eltham Palace while dancing provoking slanderous hilarity among the onlooking courtiers. Edward III picked up the garter, tied it to his own leg and exclaimed 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' ('Shame to him who thinks evil of it'). The Order of the Garter retains its place at the pinnacle of the English honours sytem and membership is in the gift of the Sovereign.
[40 leaves]. Contents: 2 blank leaves; manuscript title in red and black: 'THE / STATUTES, / of the / Most Noble Order / of the / GARTER.' and red star vignette device of the Order, verso with French text of 'ANNE, Par la Grace de Dieu, Reine de la Grande BRETAGNE, FRANCE et IRLANDE &c.' dated 1713; leaf with full-page colour vignette heightened in gold of Anne's arms, verso with French text of 'HENRI, Duc, marquis et Comte de KENT &c.' dated 1713 ('le IVme jour d'Aout'); leaf with full-page colour vignette heightened in gilt of Henry, Duke of Kent's arms, verso blank; leaf headed 'King Edward III' in red listing the 'First Founders of the most Noble Order of the Garter', verso blank; leaf headed 'The Statutes and Ordinances of the most Noble Order of St. George Named the Garter', text of 'Statutes and Ordinances' on ensuing 29 leaves, final leaf recto 'FINIS', verso and ensuing two leaves with an account of 'A Chapter of the Most Noble Order the Garter was held at Windsor Castle on Sat. Oct. the 25th 1712' listing the members, those elected (including Henry, Duke of Kent), those deceased, final leaf with 'List of the Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter' dated 'August the 4th 1713', verso blank; 2 blank leaves. Manuscript text in a single hand in sepia and red throughout, text ruled in red throughout, final three leaves in a different hand. 4to. Illustration: vignette of the star of the Order to title in red, full-page colour vignette heightened in gilt and gum arabic of the arms of Queen Anne, full-page colour vignette heightened in gilt and gum arabic of the arms of Henry, Duke of Kent, each drawn by hand. Full contemporary polished calf, boards with double rules in gilt with acorn corner-pieces surrounding central decorative border with coronet corner-pieces enclosing large gilt armorial vignette of the Royal arms, banded spine with morocco title label and title gilt, small red morocco label with 'MS' gilt, black morocco location label with '41' gilt and gilt decoration in seven compartments, board edges and turn-ins with gilt roll tool decoration, marbled endpapers, large blue silk ties with cloth of gold tassles, a.e.g.
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