Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter is a British order of chivalry founded by King Edward III in 1348, outranked only by the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. Membership is at the sole discretion of the sovereign, with a limit of 24 living members and additional supernumerary knights and ladies. The order's emblem is a garter circlet with the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" and members wear it on ceremonial occasions. The foundation date is traditionally given as 1348, although some sources suggest it may have been instituted as early as 1344.learn more on wikipedia