Garter, Order of the, is the highest and oldest order of knighthood in Great Britain. It was founded around 1348 by King Edward III of England. The emblem of the order is a sword belt in the form of a dark blue garter edged in gold, on which are printed the French words Honi soit qui mal y pense. In English, the words mean Dishonored be he who thinks evil of it. No one knows for certain how this phrase originated. On ceremonial occasions, the garter was worn on the left leg below the knee. On ceremonial occasions today, the item most commonly worn as an emblem of the order is a dark-blue velvet mantle (loose cloak).