Across the centuries the Knights of the Garter have included many intriguing characters and historically influential figures; however, Haile Selassie I, who was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930, is perhaps the only Knight of the Garter to have become the central focus for a new religious movement.
On 28 April 1854, Henry John Ellison married Mary Dorothy Jebb. The event was commemorated in this humorous account by Richard Jebb with illustrations by Lucy Blomfield, one of the bridesmaids. This image shows the footman throwing shoes at the couple's departing carriage, a tradition dating back to Tudor times.
Edmund Horace Fellowes CH MVO served as Minor Canon of Windsor for over fifty years, from 1900 to his death in 1951, the only Minor Canon to have served in that office under five Sovereigns. A devout Anglican and advocate of traditional church music, he was renowned for his high principles, his practical musicianship and his dogged devotion to duty.
Christopher Froschauer was a 16th century Zurich printer who specialised in printing the works of Swiss Reformation leader Ulrich Zwingli and was known for the high quality and accuracy of his work. To protect his reputation from low quality imitators Froschauer developed a series of frog-based trademark devices.
Following his visitation to St George's Chapel, the Earl of Clarendon issued these illuminated injunctions. Written in London on 10 June 1663, these instructions to the Dean and Canons of Windsor demand the removal of Robert Cave from the Poor Knights due to his absence, scandalous conduct, married status and drunkenness.
John Mitchell joined the choir of St George's Chapel aged just five years old. When he died at the age of 82, he had been a member of the choir for over 75 years, having also acted as organist for Eton College for 35 years. In his obituary, he was referred to as the oldest chorister in the country.
Sir George Job Elvey was Organist and Master of the Choristers at St George’s Chapel for forty-seven years, from 1835 to 1882, making him one of the longest serving Organists in the Chapel’s history. This painting shows Elvey playing the chapel organ towards the end of his career at St George’s.