RAQ (Rarely Asked Questions): Why did American Wiccans start using titles like Lady So-and-So or Lord Such-and-Such? British Wiccans don't seem to do it.

One of my speculations was that Wiccans started using titles like "Lady"--possibly--because when the High Priestess draws down the Moon, she channels or embodies the Goddess, who is addressed as "Lady."

Another speculation is that historically SOME of the English aristocracy were secretly “members of the witch-cult” or “one of the Wica.” Indeed, Gerald Gardner actually retold the origin of the Order of the Garter involving a noble woman who was secretly a witch queen. He didn't make the tale up, though he did retell it in Witchcraft Today (1954).

Yes, I am referring to the story of origin of The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded around 1348 CE by King Edward III (r. 1327-1377 CE). The Order of the Garter is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint George (Patron Saint of England). Most historians maintain that a fire destroyed the earliest records of the Order and its foundation.

It puzzles many people why centuries old records are lost. Such historical mysteries invite legends, and so a tale was spun.

As I enjoy discussing legends and comparing different versions of them, I am going to share the first version I heard of this legend.

The Order was established due to an odd incident. While King Edward III was dancing with an unnamed lady during a court ball at Calais, one of the lady’s garters slipped from her leg whilst she was dancing with His Majesty.

To everyone’s surprise, Edward III stopped and gallantly bent down to pick up the lady's garter. There was a collective shocked silence from his courtiers, because—well—kings do not stoop to serve those beneath them…certainly not to pick up some unimportant dropped clothing article. Yet according to this story, Edward managed to retain the respect of his court by tying the garter onto his own leg, while saying: Honi soit qui mal y pense, (commonly translated as “Evil to him who thinks evil” or “Evil to those who think evil”).

Indeed, the names of three different women have become attached to this English tale. 1) Katharine Grandison, the Countess of Salisbury, 2) Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent, and 3) Philippa of Hainault, Queen of England, who was married to Edward in 1327. The Countess of Salisbury is the more popular candidate.

My version, which I retold above, was what I originally heard way back in Spring 1976 while doing the tourist bit at the Tower of London.

Here is Gerald Gardner's retelling of the story of the formation of the Order of the Garter.

It is said that King Edward III saved one witch from certain torture at that famous incident to which the origin of the Order of the Garter was ascribed. He was dancing with the Countess of Salisbury when she dropped the ritual Garter which proclaimed her high rank in the cult. With Bishops about this was dangerous, so the King, knowing what it was, picked it up and put it on his own leg, saying: 'Honi soit qui mal y pense.'

The mid-Victorians, to whom a garter was slightly naughty, made pretty Christmas cards of the 'Blushing Countess'; but ladies of those times, and this lady in particular, were hard-boiled; it took more than a garter to make them blush. The King's quickness saved the situation and placed him almost in the position of their incarnate god in the eyes of his more pagan subjects. This was followed by the foundation of an Order of twelve Knights for the King and twelve for the Prince of Wales, i.e. twenty-six members in all, or two covens.

Froissart's words imply that Edward perfectly understood the underlying meaning of the Garter, for he says: 'The King told them it should prove an excellent expedient for uniting not only his subjects one with another but all foreigners conjunctively with them in the bonds of amity and peace.'

Dr. Murray points out that the King's mantle as chief of the Order was powdered over with one hundred and sixty-eight garters, which together with his own, worn on the leg, makes one hundred and sixty-nine, or thirteen times thirteen: that is, thirteen covens. I am told that long ago witches sometimes did have as many circles as this, with one common leader or timekeeper.

It is noteworthy also that the Black Book containing the institution of the Garter was taken away and destroyed not long after his death. I have seen two witch garters; they were of green snakeskin with gold or silver gilt buckles and were backed with blue silk. They were worn above the left knee. They are badges of rank.

In this connection, can anyone tell me exactly what is the meaning of the double SS on the collar of the Garter? It is sometimes said to mean the Virgin, sometimes the Holy Ghost (Sanctus Spiritus). The Order is dedicated to the Virgin, certainly, but I do not see how it can refer to her. Nor does it seem to be dedicated to the Holy Ghost. My reason for asking is that on all Athama and many other witch tools I have seen - and I have seen many besides those in my own private collection - there are a number of signs carved.

These are always the same and in the same order and have the same meanings. It is necessary to have these signs put on before they are consecrated. (In the burning times they would write them in ink and wash them off after consecration.) The third sign is SS: that is, two S's as used on the collar of the Garter. Witches have their own interpretation of this sign (and it is not the Virgin or the Holy Ghost).

Black is said to be a feature in the Order of the Garter. The Black Book, containing the original constitutions of the Order, is said to have been taken away for secret reasons before the time of Henry V, as mentioned earlier, and from this Black Book comes the important post of Black Rod. One would think that there must have been important reasons to conceal something before such a book could be taken away or lost.

As much fun as the retelling of the legend by Gardner and Margaret Murray is...it is simply not supported by verifiable facts.

There is no indication that King Edward III ever protected merry old England's witch-cult, nor implied he was the God incarnate of the witches. Whichever lady lost her garter, it most likely did not identify her as a witch. Garters were worn by both men and women during this time period.

There is nothing odd or sinister that the original records of the founding of the Order of the Garter were lost in a fire. It was not unusual to lose written records in fires before sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. I understand most historians claim the Order's early records were lost in a fire.

By the way, I have since read that the correct translation of Honi soit qui mal y pense, is “Shame to him who thinks evil of it.”

Something that may have encouraged the use of titles was the existing of "living history" organizations: SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), Markland, and sundry Renaissance Festivals around the USA. The SCA was founded on May 1, 1966 in Berkely, CA. The SCA is a living history organization pursuing research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat and culture. Members of the the SCA assume historical personaes, many of which include titles. [I am not a member of the SCA. I would welcome anyone who would like to correct me or provide more information.]

Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia is a non-profit historical educational organization, incorporated in Maryland and operating mostly from the Virginias through the New York City area. Many years ago, my husband and I were members for a two year period. We attended the Battle of Hastings and a couple of other events before our lives got too busy and we had to drop out.

Marklanders re-enact medieval (476 - 1453 CE) life by constructing and using reproductions of the period's dress, mannerisms, and equipment. The Battle of Hastings is a re-enactment of a specific historical event. It is called re-enacting, because it would be done like a play. The Normans always win at Hastings. Certain reenactors assume the roles of the historical leaders. Such an individual may be addressed by the historical title during the event. These reenactment events were always open to the general public in order to educate attendees of the event about history. Markland was very proud of the accuracy of their reenactments.

Markland proudly maintains a heritage of equally ranked "peasant scum." You could buy a title for about $15, but only get 15 cents worth of respect for it. (I am rephrasing an old joke from about 20 years back.)

The phenomenon of Renaissance festivals involve kings, queens, counts, countesses, lords, ladies...and, or course, the peasants. These events are widespread and in many states of the USA.

It is obvious that these organizations and activities influence Amercan ideas about the past of merry old England and Europe. None of these events are Neo-Pagan or Wiccan, however, I do know Neo-Pagans and Wiccans who have attended these events. They may have done so before finding their spiritual paths or afterwards. Either way, they may have influenced the American use of "Lord" and "Lady."

Indeed, I have a quote from a good friend of mine:

This is just my opinion, not backed by any scholarly source. In the 1950s & 1960s, English upper class culture was still much admired in the US. When the Gardnerian and Alexandrian lines came to America, people here wished to emphasize their personal status in occult circles, To impress hermetic practitioners and literally lord it over folk-based and family traditions, they pretended to take on English upper class pretentions. --Miriam Benson, 3rd degree Gardnerian

And now we get to the real reason that seems to have started the practice in the USA.

According to Janet Farrar, a high priestess from Gardner's coven started the practice of using the title, "Lady," for the High Priestess.

The practice was briefly used in England. Monique Wilson aka Lady Olwen got it started when she was serving as Gerald Gardner's high priestess. Later, it crossed to the Long Island Gardnerian Coven. Hence, the practice was imported with Raymond Buckland, who assumed it was part of a long-standing practice.

As Janet wrote to me in her own words:

[The] ...origins of the use of Monique Wilson, Lady Olwen. She was French Vietnamese in origin and always claimed she came from nobility. This use of the title was adopted by the Long Island Gard. line, and spread from there into other trads. in the US. I would also agree that the SCA use was also an influence. In support of this you will not find the use of the title in the UK or before 1969. Stewart was very critical of its use as in the UK this was a title reserved for the privileged in society.

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