Ralph Stafford
- Born: 24 Sep 1301, Stafford, Stafford, England
- Marriage: Catherine Hastings
- Died: 31 Aug 1372, Tunbridge Castle, Stafford, England at age 70
- Buried: 1372, Tonburton Priory, England
 General Notes:
Notes: Knight of the Garter <Documents/Knights%20of%20the%20Garter.htm>. 1350 Earl of Stafford. Fought in the Battle of Crecy and Battle of Sluys. Served in the Scotch and French wars and in important diplomatic missions in European countries.
http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Documents/Knights%20of%20the%20Garter.htm
Founded in 1348 by Edward III, the Garter was England's highest and most coveted order of chivalry, having been revived in imitation of the Burgundian Order of the Golden Fleece by both Edward IV, who had built St. George's Chapel at Windsor, and Henry VII. Henry VIII, with his passion for ancient chivalric values and his policy of accentuating his own magnificence, would continue this tradition.
The Order comprised the sovereign and twenty-five elected Knights Companions, who were only replaced upon death or disgrace. Vacancies were filled at the annual chapter meeting. Each chapter was marked with a magnificent feast; at Windsor, this took place in St. George's Hall. The Knights wore "a blue velvet mantle with a Garter on the left shoulder, lined with white sarcanet, and scarlet hose with black velvet around the thighs". Each sported a light blue silk garter with a gold buckle and embroidered Tudor roses round his leg--the garter being the oldest item of the insignia--and the rich gold collar introduced by Edward IV or Henry VII.
Henry VIII decreed in 1510 that the collar consist of twelve Tudor roses set within blue garters, interspersed with twelve tasselled knots; from it hung a "Great George"--a jewelled pendant of St. George slaying the dragon. The Knights were allowed to wear their insignia only on St. George's Day and the great feast days of the court, so in 1521 Henry instituted a smaller pendant, the "Lesser George" for everyday use. This was suspended from a gold chain or a blue ribbon, and might be set with a rare cameo.
Ralph married Catherine Hastings, daughter of John Hastings of Grafton and Eve. (Catherine Hastings was born about 1305 in Chebsey, Stafford, England and died before 6 Jul 1336.)
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