The world’s oldest national order of knights, it is supposedly associated with Paganism. Founded in 1348 (other dates have been given), while dancing with King Edward III (1312-1377), at a party, had a garter fall from her leg. Edward picked it up, tied it to his own leg, and supposedly said, “Honi soit qui mal y pense,” French for “shame on any who think evil of it.” The reason someone might think evil of it is because it is believed that a garter was symbolic of a leader of Witches.

Whether this story is true or not, the result was the formation of a small and exclusive order of knights. The small size of this order has led some to conclude that they formed a coven. The British king or queen is the only one who can offer membership.