Order of the Garter

By: Eric Thiem

In April’s education on the history of Cryptic Council, a small portion of the article mentioned degrees that were initiated in a Council of Cryptic Masons that were no longer performed. One of those, the Knights of the Round Table was discussed in detail and presented in the August 2025 Beauseant and Buckler.

I decided to delve into another of the “Dead Degrees,” the Order of the Garter and determine if I could uncover the history of this degree.

A garter is a functional piece, or band of clothing of an elastic nature designed to hold up another piece of clothing, usually a stocking or a shirt sleeve (1) . They were typically tied to the stocking just below the knee. With advances in modern clothing, they have lost their use as a functional piece of clothing.

The history of a garter being a functional piece of clothing dates back to at least the Middle Ages, if not earlier. For most of history, they have been associated with a bridal tradition; symbolizing luck at the consummation of a marriage and as an item of clothing to be tossed to prevent guests from tearing at her clothes.

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, (1558-1603); when pantaloons and stockings were fashionable among distinguished men, colorful garters were an object of display and fashion.

English Royalty have a history embracing the garter as a fashion statement and a functional accessory to attach pieces of armor in battle. This could possibly explain the origins of the Order of the Garter, which is the oldest and most continuous chivalric order (3) . The Order of the Garter is unique among chivalric orders today mainly due to the prestige that has been associated with it.

The Order of the Garter goes back to its founder, King Edward III (1327-77) (3) . King Edward was also known to be fascinated with the legend of King Arthur and the tradition of the round table, and it has been theorized that he was looking to renew the chivalry associated with the Knights of the Round Table. It is known that in 1344, Edward III held a massive joust at Windsor (3) , where he is believed to have vowed to renew the chivalry of the knights of that time. It is thought that the renewal of the war with France impeded with renewing the Round Table traditions.

In 1348, an order commenced with the founding of the college of St. George, where a small group of knights were provided a stall in the chapel, with King Edward III at the head of the order, each member who wore a garter as a member of the order, likely the beginnings of the Order of the Garter. The early garter knights had fought for King Edward against the French and there was a symbolism behind the garter which bound these men together in loyalty and fidelity to the King and Country and Edward’s claim to the French throne (4) .

The Order became constituted internationally (both subjects of the English Crown and non English companions). Women were also associated with the order initially, although they were not counted as Companions (3) . This association ceased during the reign of King Henry VII and his role as head of the Order. In the early 20th century women were allowed into the order when King Edward VII appointed Queen Alexandra of Denmark, a Lady of the Order of the Garter. The first woman to be appointed a full Companion of the Order was Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk in 1990.

There is a maximum of twenty-four garter knights, the monarch and the Prince of Wales who can be part of the Order of the Garter (4) . Originally the garter knights were soldiers under the King, but today the Order is bestowed upon those who have given distinguished service to England or members of foreign Royal Houses (4) . Former Prime Ministers are often bestowed this honor.

The Order is celebrated typically on a Monday in June at Windsor Castle with the King and Knights wearing blue velvet mantle with St. George’s Cross on the left shoulder. The reigning Sovereign has an 8-pointed star surrounding his/her St. George’s Cross. A black hat adorned with white feathers or ostrich and heron accompanies the mantle. The ceremonial garter is worn around the thighs on men of the Order and around the left arm of the ladies of the Order. The Knights typically meet the Sovereign at Windsor Castle for a lunch and a procession to St. George’s Chapel where the newest initiates are installed at a service (5) .

In Masonry, we are informed about the Order in the Entered Apprentice degree is given his lambskin apron and he is informed that it is more honorable than the Golden Fleece, Star and Garter or any other order that can be conferred by King, Prince, or Potentate. It is impressed upon candidate the importance and significance of the lambskin and of that the Order carries, without directly informing him about the Order.

The information presented above is almost certainly where they Cryptic Council Degree of the same name (Order of the Garter) derived most of its information from. The research into the history of the degree leads me to believe that this degree was also called the Order of Artus. During the Order the candidates are educated on the history of the Order. They are informed that the Order of the Knights of the Round Table became to be replaced by the Order of the Garter. The Order took hold on the European continent, mainly in Germany where it became known as the Order of Artus-hoffen.

The Order of Artus-hoffen existed in many German cities and were commercial city societies. The wealthy merchants and spirited men of these cities often times made up the roster of the Order and met frequently to deliberate on the economic and commercial welfare of their cities. At their meetings was displayed an image of St. George slaying a dragon (the same image used by members of the Order of the Garter).

When the Order crossed the Atlantic, it became known as the Order of Artus and became incorporated into Cryptic Council Masonry. The name Artus means the story of the death of King Arthur.

The Order of Artus begins with the candidate being blindfolded and taking an obligation from the Master of the Round Table, similar to what we do in Ancient Craft and York Rite Masonry. After taking the obligation, the Candidate goes on a journey where he exchanges wheat and iron for bread and salt. After the journey, the Candidate(s) are blindfolded and taken Knighted into the Order of Artus by the Master of the Round Table (6) . Afterwards the Master of the Round Table gives the candidates salt which is the symbol throughout the ages of wisdom and of the sanctity of friendship before breaking bread with him.

This Order proceeds to to an education lecture to focus on the death of King Arthur on the battlefield and one of his most trusted Knights, Bevidere (6) . On King Arthur’s deathbed, he ordered Bevidere to throw his sword, named Excalibur, back into the water where it came from and gave King Arthur his powers. Being struck by Excalibur’s beauty, however, Bevidere refused to throw the sword back into the sea and returns with it to him. Being upset by this, Arthur commands Bevidere to return to the sea a second time to throw the sword into it, only to again refuse and return it to King Arthur again commanding his ire. King Arthur commands Bevidere a third time to throw Excalibur back into the sea. After arriving at the sea for the third time, Bevidere throws the sword into the sea where it is immediately seized by a hand rising from the water. Bevidere tells a dying King Arthur this story and delivers the King to the sea where a barge is waiting for him just off shore with fair ladies and a Queen. King Arthur boards the barge, where he is taken by the ladies to Avalon, or the afterlife (6) .

I was unable to find out or determine The Password, Grip and Motto of the Order of Artus. I can only come up with guesses as to each. From reading through the degree, I would surmise that the Password of the Order would be Excalibur, the name of King Arthur’s sword. As for the motto, my guess (and it’s just a guess) what King Arthur’s dying words were: "Comfort thyself, for I go to the vale of Avelon to heal me of my grievous wound." There was a grip to the order of Artus, but again, what that grip was, I was unable to determine. Reading through the degree, I would have to determine that the grip was the likely grip of grabbing Excalibur from the stone it was firmly frozen in, but again it’s just a wild guess at this point.

In reading through the degree, it is also easy to see why it was taken out of modern day Cryptic Council. It really has no resemblance to either the Royal and Select Master degrees that we go through and perform today. The time and place of the degree are also very much out of sync as to what we do in Cryptic Council as well. As one reads through the degree from beginning to end it also seems lack cohesiveness or flow as the degrees that we pursue in Masonry today have.

Included below is the Order of Artus that I found on Stitching Argus. For those who are interested in reading or learning more about this dead degree, feel free to enjoy.

Bibliography

(1). Merriam-Webster.com

(2). Brittenweddings.com

(3). Stgeorges-windsor.org

(4). Guidelondon.org.uk

(5). Royal.uk/the-order-of-the-garter

(6). Stitchingargus.nl

1916

The Brothers in Artus having been called to order by the M. R. T., the Guide and Candidates approach outer door of Council Chamber. Guide knocks … times on outer door. Answer … knocks inside.

GUIDE: Worthy Master of the Round Table, esquires, candidates for the knighthood of our order, wait in the outer court. What is your will?

M.R.T.: Enter with your companions. Guide leads in candidates with eyes blindfolded.

M.R.T.: Companions of our worthy guide, upon examination I have found you qualified to become members of our beloved order, but before proceeding on the journey which now awaits you, it is meet and proper that you take upon yourselves a solemn and binding oath of eternal secrecy. Are you willing to proceed?

Candidates answer.

M.R.T.: Kneel and raise your right hand. Candidates kneel.

M.R.T.: Do you most solemnly swear before this chapter here assembled that you will never divulge to anyone not a duly initiated member of Artus anything whatsoever of the secret work, business, rules, or regulations of our fraternity?

CANDIDATES: I do so swear.

M.R.T.: Do you further swear that you will obey and support the constitution of Artus as well as all laws and regulations now in force or that may be hereafter duly passed by that order?

CANDIDATES: I do so swear.

M.R.T.: Do you further and finally swear that you will do all that lies in your power to further the interests of your brothers in Artus?

CANDIDATES: I do so swear.

M.R.T.: Companions of our worthy guide you are now ready to proceed on your journey. Proceed and give good heed to that which you shall see and hear. Guide with the candidates turn to the right and proceed to the Altar of Production. 

Candidates pause before it and eye muffs are removed.

M.R.T.: Neophyte, before you are the primal things of nature. From the womb of the elemental chaos before the day had begun for man came fire, water and earth — the elements — later came wheat, clothing earth with verdure. To fuse together the elements and to make them serve even as bound servants, is to assist in making big the flame of the torch of civilization. To produce is to toil, to hunger, to thirst, to travail in labor. Those who produce for mankind shall be kings crowned with an iron crown. (M.R. gives Neophytes wheat and ingot of iron. )To you as you fare forth into the unknown I give you as producers, iron torn from the bowels of the earth and fused in the cleansing flame of fire, and wheat grains golden as the harvest moon. Cherish these for through them you live. Candidates proceed to the Altar of Valuation before which they pause.

M.E.: What brings you here?

CANDIDATES: I come to barter.

M.E.: What have you?

CANDIDATES: Wheat and iron.

M.E.: What seek you?

CANDIDATES: I seek bread and salt.

M.E.: Give here your iron and wheat; for them I shall in turn render unto you value in bread and salt. Here the wheat and iron have value, in the place whence you came they had none, so always does transportation create value. Here is the balance (indicating balance); the tiny coin outweighs the greater mass of iron. Look ye well; ye know the meaning. Watch that in your dealings with traders you value justly and that you seek to have all things valued righteously: so that one will get a pennyworth of barley for a penny and a pennyworth of oil for a penny. Proceed. Go to the Altar of Distribution.

M.R.T.: What have you?

CANDIDATES: Salt and bread.

M.R.T.: Why do you bring them here?

CANDIDATES: For the feast.

M.R.T.: Lay them down. They shall be again given to you at the time of the feast but from them must be taken the portion for the chiefs. You have purchased them and they are yours. To you shall be given crystal water freely given of nature’s bounty to man. Take heed that you regulate your actions that you may assist in bringing about a system of distribution that will give to him who toileth in the vineyard and beareth the heat of the day a greater portion of the product of his labor. That is the dictate of wisdom. That is the path that leadeth to a mighty nation.

Candidates are again blindfolded and taken back to the place where they first were addressed inside the door.

M.R.T.: Neophytes, you have returned from your journey. Nothing further stands between us, all the secret work of this order shall now be revealed to you. The master of the Round Table of the Knights of Artus shall by the touch of the knightly sword upon your shoulder, admit you to full fellowship with this chosen company of the Order of Artus, the successors of the Knights of the Round Table, and of the Artus- hoffen. Esquires, kneel. Neophytes kneel.

To each Neophyte in turn: With this sword, emblem of knighthood and by the powers in me reposed by the Grand Chapter of the Order of Artus striking him on the right shoulder with the sword I dub you Knight of Artus, the well beloved; as he stood for the right so may you. Arise, Sir Knight. Members of Chapter cry in chorus "St. George for Artus"

M.R.T.: Steps to the Altar of Distribution. Blindfolds are removed from Neophytes.

M.R.T.: Brothers, gather together that we may rejoice that other loyal knights now bear the stainless shield of Artus. To you fraternally I give forth bread bought with iron and wheat by toil taken from the soil. He who breaks bread with me is forever sacred to me and it is meet that we break bread with our newly consecrated brothers. Breaks bread and passes it to the brothers who have assembled before him in a semi-circle. To you I give salt, the symbol throughout the ages of wisdom and of the sanctity of friendship. May you who partake be endowed eternally with a fraternal friendship sanctified with wisdom. Gives salt to the brothers. To you I give water clear as crystal, pure as the first beams of morning sun. You are Knights of the Modern World in search of the Holy Grail of Righteousness. To find it, it is necessary that you stand high above the tumult of the crowd and that you have the mind to plan, the will to dare, no matter what the cost. Brothers eat bread and salt and drink water.

M.R.T.: Brothers, our fraternity is patterned after the Artus-hoffen of the medieval German cities. These societies were commercial city societies. The members were the rich merchants and the public spirited men of the cities. The societies met frequently to deliberate on the economic and commercial welfare of the city. At the meeting there was a small image of St. George slaying the dragon on the table. St. George was the patron saint of the society. This society was a branch of the Knights of the Round Table. Of the Round Table much has been written and much sung, and through the songs and stories of the wandering minstrels of the middle ages so much of legend has crept into the story that it is hard to say whether there ever was a King Arthur or whether the whole tale is merely an allegorical representation of the duties of knighthood. The Order of The Round Table in England has been replaced by the Knights of the Garter of which it was the parent. The Order of Artus crossed the Channel and became the Artus-hoffen.

Today by our revival of the order it has crossed the Atlantic and became the Order of Artus. The word Artus means …. The story of the Death of King Arthur is as follows: We read that the king, sorely stricken, is lying on the battlefield, attended by his constant companion, Sir Bedivere. "My hour is near at hand,"; said the king to Sir Bedivere." Therefore take my sword Excalibur and cast it into the sea and then come and tell me what thou hast seen."

The knight on his way to the shore noticed that the hilt of the sword was covered with precious stones and thought it were a shame to throw such a beautiful thing into the sea. He bid it and returned to the king.

"What sawest thou there?" said the King.

"Sire," he said, "I saw nothing but the waves and wind."

"Thou speakest not the truth,"said the King, "therefore go quickly and do my bidding; spare not, but throw the sword into the sea."

The knight went down to the shore and again took the sword in his hand and drew near the sea but again was he overcome with its beauty and forgot his duty to the king.

He concealed the sword and returned to the dying monarch.

"What sawest thou?" said the king.

"Sire, I saw nothing but the waves lapping on the beach and the water rising and falling among the reeds."

"Traitor untrue," said King Arthur, "Now hast thou betrayed me twice. Who would have thought that thou who art called a noble knight would betray me for the riches of my sword? But go again quickly because I am chilled with cold and my life is in danger through thy long delay. And if thou dost not do my bidding and I see thee again I will slay thee with mine own hands, for thou, for the sake of my rich sword, would see me dead."

The knight went quickly to the shore and taking the sword he threw it into the water as far as he could. And an arm and a hand came above the surface of the water and caught the sword and brandished it thrice and then the sword with the hand vanished in the water. Then the knight returned to the king and told him what he had seen, and he helped the king to the waterside. And when they came to the shore a little barge was seen floating close to the bank and in the barge were fair ladies and among them a queen. The knight helped the king into the barge and the ladies attended him.

"Comfort thyself," said the king,"for I go to the vale of Avelon to heal me of my grievous wound."

There is a legend that Arthur did not die but will come again and will be king, and on his tomb it is said there is an inscription in Latin "Here lieth Arthur who was and is to be king." And so on the key of our society the arm coming forth from the water with the sword represents …. The great battle of today is between conflicting economic forces. lit is for those who have had the advantages of a college education to endeavor to see the problems clearly and to work to their ultimate solution. The motto of the fraternity is … and is rendered …. The grip is ….