Ladies of the Garter: Edward III; Richard II; Elizabeth II

Abstract

2017 sees the thirtieth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's statute whereby females were given membership of the Most Noble Order of the Garter ostensibly for the first time. Yet, we know of the existence of the Late Medieval Garter Ladies; were these Ladies perceived not to have full membership? In investigating this conundrum, reliance has been placed on the actual words used in original documents when specific Garter livery was granted to women. This methodology has revealed membership for just one female in Edward III's reign, his daughter Isabel in 1375; an increased female membership throughout Richard II's reign commencing in the year 1379; and a significant change in the female composition of the Order from about 1384. A brief look at contemporary Continental Orders has revealed two that admitted women but these post-date 1375. Edward's action was therefore novel, representing the Sovereign's right to control the procedures of his Order in response to the political climate, family situation or societal change. The increased number and diversity of female members in Richard's reign similarly indicates Richard's own interpretation of his role as Sovereign of the Order. This investigation however, has not uncovered any documentary evidence of a fourteenth-century statute concerning the Ladies. Thus, Elizabeth II's 1987 statute remains unique.