An Introduction & Order of the Garter.

 Hello All!

Where to begin? My husband Lee, and I happily moved into 2 Carnavon Court last May and delivered our son,Taliesin, only three weeks later.

Quite an introduction to your new neighbours when you're in labour at a Jubilee party!

We have since settled in, and met at least some of you in our wanderings. Everyone we have met has been incredibly kind and welcoming. We feel privileged to be part of such a wonderful community in such a fantastic place!

As amateur historians and medieval re-enactors, the Hall and it's history made us fall in love from the first moment we saw it.

I will try my best to contribute to the ongoing research into the hidden past of the hall and its residents through the centuries.

Please forgive me if, in my enthusiasm, I post about events or instances that are already common knowledge.

My Husband and I were delighted to meet David on Friday, even more so when he kindly invited us into the hidden interior of the hall itself.

I was immediately struck by the elegant staircase, particularly the clear recreation of the symbol for a Knight of the Garter worked into the decoration of the banisters.

It seems that Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, received the Order of the Garter in 1730 and was rightfully proud of the fact given how prevalent it is in his decorating.

He was one of only 32 people granted the order during the reign of George II.

To give an idea of how much of an honour this was, the Order of the Garter was only granted by the sovereign and was strictly limited to only 24 living members beyond the sovereign and the Prince of Wales, at any time.

Wikipedia sums up its importance very well:

"It [the Order of the Garter] is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system, outranked in precedence only by the Victoria Cross and the George Cross."

I look forward to discovering and sharing more with you all in the future.

Sarah Harnell