On the completion of the work, he issued proclamations
throughout England, Scotland, France, Burgundy, Flanders, Brabant,
and the Empire, inviting all knights desirous of approving their valour to
a solemn feast and jousts to be holden within the castle of Windsor on
Saint George's Day, 1345. The scheme was completely successful.
The flower of the chivalry of Europe--excepting that of Philip the Sixth
of France, who, seeing through the design, interdicted the attendance
of his knights-were present at the tournament, which was graced by
Edward and his chief nobles, together with his queen and three
hundred of her fairest dames, "adorned with all imaginable gallantry."
At this chivalrous convocation the institution of the Order of the Garter
was arranged; but before its final establishment Edward assembled his
principal barons and knights, to determine upon the regulations, when
it was decided that the number should be limited to twenty-six.
The first installation took place on the anniversary of Saint George, the
patron of the Order, 1349, when the king, accompanied by the twenty-
five knights'-companions, attired in gowns of russet, with mantles of
fine blue woollen cloth, powdered with garters, and hearing the other
insignia of the Order, marched bareheaded in solemn procession to the
chapel of Saint George, then recently rebuilt, where mass was
performed by William Edington, Bishop of Winchester, after which they
partook of a magnificent banquet.
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