IT appears by a Letter of Sir _Richard_ St. _George_, Kt. _Clarencieux_, dated _July_ 10th, 1627. that the blue Ribband had some Years before been additional to the Ornament of the Order; and ’tis reported, that _Robert_ Earl of _Essex_ observing in _France_ the Jewels of the Order of St. _Michael_ and St. _Esprit_ worn in blue Ribbands, upon his return was the principal motive those Ribbands whereat the _George_ hung, were exchanged into that Colour. And in a Picture of Queen _Elizabeth_, drawn towards the Declension of her Reign, her lesser George is represented hanging before her Breast in a blue Ribband. And this Colour was more caressed, and grew in great repute, by reason it was the Ground of the Garter, and nearest the Colour of the Mantle of the Order: So that toward the latter End of the Reign of King _James_ I. because the dye of the Ribband had not been peculiarly express’d in any Statute, and the blue and azure accustomed for some Years past, it was decreed, That for the future it should be always of blue, and no other; nor in time of Mourning it self, should be changed.
THE Manner of wearing this Ribband in time of Peace, was of later Times pendant about the Neck, down to the Middle of the Breast, where the lesser George hung; but since, for the more Conveniency of Riding or Action, the same is spread over the left Shoulder, and brought under the right Arm where the Jewel hangs.
BUT where the Pictures of the Sovereign and Knights-Companions are drawn in Armour, there even to this Day the George is represented as fix’d to a Gold Chain instead of a blue Ribband, and worn about the Neck, not brought under the right Arm, as exhibited on the three Pound Pieces of Gold stamped at _Oxford_ by King _Charles_ I. 1643. and a Medal of _Charles_ Count Palatine of the _Rhine_, dated 1645.
AMONG the invaluable Jewels and other Curiosities of King _Charles_ I. which came to the Hands of the Trustees appointed for Sale of his Goods, were these,
A George containing 161 Diamonds, Sold for 71 2 0
A George cut in Onyx, with 41 Diamonds } in the Garnish, } 37 0 0
A George with 5 Rubies and 3 Diamonds, } and 11 Diamonds in a Box } 11 0 0
A George cut in a Garnet 8 0 0 ------- Total 136 2 0 -------
