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Literary
September 9, 1800
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Rev. Ch. Ed. Stewart's poem defends against charges of indecency by recounting how Countess of Salisbury's garter fell during a dance in Edward III's court, inspiring the king to create the Order of the Garter with the motto 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' to honor her.
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Full Text
Origin of the Order of the Garter.
Rev. Ch. Ed. Stewart, author of a "Collection of Trifles," repels a charge made by the ladies of a want of delicacy, by the following story.
"Will the ladies permit me to offer before 'em.
A story well known and of perfect decorum?
When Salisbury's fam'd countess was dancing with glee,
The stocking's security fell from her knee.
Rival beauties and courtiers (they could not do less)
Kindly pitied the fair, and enjoy'd her distress.
Allusions and hints, sneers and whispers went round,
And the trifle was sported and left on the ground:
But Edward the brave, with true soldier-like spirit,
Cries, "the garter is mine, 'tis the order of merit,
The first Knights of my court shall be happy to wear
(Proud distinction)-the garter that fell from the fair,
Whilst in letters of gold ['tis your monarch's high will,
Shall these words be inscrib'd, 'Ill to him who thinks ill.']"
Ye fair critics, whenever to propagate scandal
My innocent Trifles severely you handle,
When, by fancy assisted, you stoop to invent,
And impute to me meanings that never were meant,
Or, by envy excited, you wish to impeach
Beauty, virtue, and excellence out of your reach,
'Ill to her who thinks ill,' be the motto of each."
The origin of the Order of the Garter was owing to this accidental calamity, that befell the Countess of Salisbury in Edward the Third's time.
Rev. Ch. Ed. Stewart, author of a "Collection of Trifles," repels a charge made by the ladies of a want of delicacy, by the following story.
"Will the ladies permit me to offer before 'em.
A story well known and of perfect decorum?
When Salisbury's fam'd countess was dancing with glee,
The stocking's security fell from her knee.
Rival beauties and courtiers (they could not do less)
Kindly pitied the fair, and enjoy'd her distress.
Allusions and hints, sneers and whispers went round,
And the trifle was sported and left on the ground:
But Edward the brave, with true soldier-like spirit,
Cries, "the garter is mine, 'tis the order of merit,
The first Knights of my court shall be happy to wear
(Proud distinction)-the garter that fell from the fair,
Whilst in letters of gold ['tis your monarch's high will,
Shall these words be inscrib'd, 'Ill to him who thinks ill.']"
Ye fair critics, whenever to propagate scandal
My innocent Trifles severely you handle,
When, by fancy assisted, you stoop to invent,
And impute to me meanings that never were meant,
Or, by envy excited, you wish to impeach
Beauty, virtue, and excellence out of your reach,
'Ill to her who thinks ill,' be the motto of each."
The origin of the Order of the Garter was owing to this accidental calamity, that befell the Countess of Salisbury in Edward the Third's time.
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Order Of Garter
Countess Salisbury
Edward Iii
Court Scandal
Chivalry Motto
What entities or persons were involved?
Rev. Ch. Ed. Stewart, Author Of A "Collection Of Trifles,"
Literary Details
Title
Origin Of The Order Of The Garter.
Author
Rev. Ch. Ed. Stewart, Author Of A "Collection Of Trifles,"
Subject
Repels A Charge Made By The Ladies Of A Want Of Delicacy
Key Lines
Will The Ladies Permit Me To Offer Before 'Em.
A Story Well Known And Of Perfect Decorum?
Cries, "The Garter Is Mine, 'Tis The Order Of Merit,
The First Knights Of My Court Shall Be Happy To Wear
(Proud Distinction) The Garter That Fell From The Fair,
Whilst In Letters Of Gold ['Tis Your Monarch's High Will,
Shall These Words Be Inscrib'd, 'Ill To Him Who Thinks Ill.']"
'Ill To Her Who Thinks Ill,' Be The Motto Of Each.