INTRODUCTION.

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Nearly all the new information of much value in the“ Memorials,” subsequent to the reign of King Edward theThird, may be briefly stated.

A remarkably curious letter from Sir John Werchin, Senes-chal of Hainault, to King Henry the Fourth, proposing toencounter all the Knights of the Garter in a trial of arms, andthat Monarch’s answer, lately found by Mr. Beltz in the RoyalLibrary at Paris, have been introduced into the History of theOrder, together with a notice of the combat that arose out ofthe Seneschal’s challenge. 8

The Knight elected before 1467, and so long supposed tohave been “ the Lord of Monte Grisone,” is discovered byMr. Beltz to have been the Conte de Monte Odorisio. 9

At a Chapter held on the 23rd of April 1634, a debateoccurred respecting the colour of the Mantle ; and it was agreedthat it ought to be blue and not purple, as was then used. 1About the same time the Companions were enjoined to takecare that in future their Arms, encompassed by the Garter,should not be worn on any part of the dress of their servants,but only be used in that manner upon household goods, andinstruments in writing of all kinds. 2 This regulation is stronglyat variance w r ith the modern practice of making the Star of theGarter, the Bath, and of other Orders, a mere ornament onthe uniforms of officers and private soldiers of the army.

To the remarks on the manner in which Queen Anne wore

8 Vide pp. 51—54, postea.

9 “ Memorials,” p. xxii. and vide pp. 92, 93, postea.

1 “ Memorials,” p. cix. on the authority of the “ Red Book,” f. 68, in the custody of theRegistrar of the Order. Vide p. 340 postea. 2 Ibid.

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