The college of St George in Royal Windsor
21st April 2008
Throughout 2008 the College of St George, which occupies a quarter of Windsor Castle’s 13 acres in Royal Berkshire, will be celebrating a series of important anniversaries.
Its 660 years since the founding of the Order of the Garter and the College of St George, and 60 years since His Majesty King George VI re-introduced the annual Garter Ceremony and service of thanskgiving.
Order of the Garter
Probably inspired by tales of Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, in 1348 King Edward III, who was then aged 36 and at war with France, founded the Order of the Garter to bind his own knights together. Now recognised as the world’s oldest surviving chivalric order, it then consisted of the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales and twenty-four others; a form it takes to this day with the addition of Royal and Stranger knights.
Born in Windsor, Edward III decided that the Castle was to be the home of the Order and it was here that he also founded its spiritual counterpart, the College of St George, where prayers were to be offered daily.
Although Knights of the Garter continued to be appointed by sovereigns annually without a break the gathering at Windsor Castle had ceased. Sixty years ago in 1948, King George VI revived the ceremonies with a procession through the Castle followed by a service of thanksgiving and installation of the knights in St George’s Chapel. Amongst those installed that year were the then Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh.
The founding of the Order of the Garter will be celebrated with a variety of events including an important lecture by Professor Nigel Saul, Royal Holloway, University of London on 22 October in memory of archivists and historians Maurice and Shelagh Bond, entitled ‘The King of the Castle: Edward III, the Order of the Garter and Chivalric Kingship’.
There will also be evening organ recitals and appropriate music played on occasions throughout the year, for instance the organist of the Chapel 60 years ago, Sir Williams Harris, composed an anthem ‘Be Strong in the Lord’ for Garter Day in 1948. This year it will be sung on the Sunday following St George’s Day (27 April).
In addition the double anniversary is being marked by a new range of limited edition commemorative china including mugs, plates, bowls and a trinket box produced exclusively for St George’s. A new guidebook about the Chapel has just been published and two other books are to be available later this year including a photographic record of 18 months in the life of St George’s Chapel by Eleanor Curtis and a history of St George’s by Hugo Vickers.
College of St George Refurbishment
More recently the Dean and Canons of Windsor commissioned a survey of the Chapel and surrounding buildings of the College of St George as many appeared to be in need of attention. A major refurbishment project is being undertaken and an exhibition of the work is being staged in the Dean’s Cloister (at the exit from the Chapel) until 24 May open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 4.15pm (free entry to the Castle for Windsor Advantage Card holders).
2009 Anniversaries
Moving forward to 2009 there are two further historic events to celebrate; the 450th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I on 15 January 1559 and the 500th of King Henry VIII on 24 June 1509, who is buried in St George’s Chapel. Plans are already in hand for 2008 Christmas cards with illustrations of Elizabeth I in her coronation robes from the College archives and another will show a painted image of St George’s College quire decorated for Christmas including the garter banners in a subtle reflection of the garter anniversary.
For further details about the Royal Borough, its many attractions and accommodation providers visit www.windsor.gov.uk; a copy of the Visitor Guide is available by emailing Windsor.tic@rbwm.gov.uk or calling the Royal Windsor Information Centre on 01753 743900.