Military Knights of Windsor

Retired military officers who receive a pension and accommodation at Windsor Castle, and who provide support for the Order of the Garter and for the services of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. They are commanded by a senior retired officer as Governor of the Military Knights of Windsor.

Related Topics:
Windsor Castle - Order of the Garter - St George's Chapel - Governor of the Military Knights of Windsor

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At the original establishment of the Order of the Garter, twenty-six "Poor Knights" were appointed and attached to the Order and its chapel at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The number was not always maintained; by the seventeenth century, there were just thirteen Poor Knights. At his restoration, King Charles II increased the number to eighteen. After they objected to being termed "poor", King William IV renamed them the Military Knights of Windsor.

Related Topics:
Charles II - William IV

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Poor Knights were originally impoverished military veterans. They were required to pray daily for the Sovereign and Knights Companions; in return, they received a salary and were lodged in Windsor Castle. Today the Military Knights, who are no longer necessarily poor, but are still military pensioners, participate in the Order's processions, escorting the Knights and Ladies of the Garter, and in the daily services in St George's Chapel. They are not members of the Order itself, nor are they necessarily actual knights - indeed few if any have been knights.

Related Topics:
Sovereign - Knights Companions - Ladies of the Garter

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