Handmade Order of The Garter Chain: York Rose with Sun in Splendour

Sunne In Splendour Order of The Garter Chain Of Office with York Roses.

This is my original design, inspired by the livery collars of Edward IV, Richard III and also the Pretender Perkin Warbeck.

King Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, then again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483. He was a central figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in England fought between the Yorkist and Lancastrian factions between 1455 and 1487.

The Chain Of Office is linked by antique gold and enamelled connectors with rope connectors in between. Each enamelled connector carries the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" within a unique belt design. I enamel these by hand to create white roses of York. There is a sun in splendour pendant at the centrepiece.

In medieval times, King Edward III was so inspired by tales of King Arthur and the chivalry of the Knights of the Round Table that he set up his own group of honourable knights, called the Order of the Garter. The Order of the Garter is dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George, England's patron saint.

The order's emblem is a garter with the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense (Middle French: "Shame on him who thinks evil of it") in gold lettering. The motto refers to Edward's claim to the French throne, and the Order of the Garter was created to help pursue this claim.

This is a unique and hand crafted item. It cannot be found anywhere else as the design and make are my own. It measures approximately 1 metre and is a continuous piece.