British Officers, Helmet Plate, with Order of the Garter Motto, “Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense” likely to belong to Royal Dragoon Guards

*British Officers, Helmet Plate, with Order of the Garter Motto, “Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense”, likely to belong to Royal Dragoon Guards*

British Officers Helmet Plate, a fine scarce post 1871 die stamped example. Silvered / white metal star with gilded metal. Four shortened screw posts to the reverse. The central medallion is missing but around it the Garter, bearing the motto of the Order of the Garter. The Order of the Garter is our highest and most ancient order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. Its motto is “Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense”, a maxim in the Anglo-Norman language, a dialect of Old Norman French which is translatable as “Shame Be To Him Who Evil Thinks”.

This is likely to be a helmet plate for the Royal Dragoon Guards or the Life Guards as the motto appears in the Garter Star representation worn on Life Guard officer’s helmets rather than in the unit badge.

According to Polydore Vergil’s Anglica Historia, written in 1512–1513, 166 years after the event the motto originated when King Edward III was dancing with his first cousin and daughter-in-law, Joan of Kent. Her garter slipped down to her ankle, causing those around her to snigger at her humiliation. In an act of chivalry Edward placed the garter around his own leg, saying “Honi soit qui mal y pense”.

Measures approx: 4″ x 11″

*Condition*
In sound, used condition. Central medallion is missing. Retains remnants of the gilt wash finish. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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