*British Coldstream Guards Helmet Plate / Puggaree Badge or Valise Badge, with Order of the Garter Motto: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense and Cut-out Cross*
Puggaree, puggree, pugree, or pugaree is the Indian word for turban widely used by the army and this may well have been a Turban Badge. It may also be a valise or pouch badge as there is the remnants of a different type of fixing but the cut out cross suggests that the pugaree is more likely.
British, Coldstream Guards, Badge, brass, in the centre - a cut out St Georges Cross - backed with red velvet, surrounded by the Garter, bearing the motto of the Order of the Garter. Pin on back with removable red velvet. The Order of the Garter is Britain's highest and most ancient order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. Its motto is "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense", a maxim in the Anglo-Norman language, a dialect of Old Norman French which is translatable as "Shame Be To Him Who Evil Thinks".
According to Polydore Vergil's Anglica Historia, written in 1512–1513, 166 years after the event the motto originated when King Edward III was dancing with his first cousin and daughter-in-law, Joan of Kent. Her garter slipped down to her ankle, causing those around her to snigger at her humiliation. In an act of chivalry Edward placed the garter around his own leg, saying "Honi soit qui mal y pense".
Formed in 1650, the Coldstream Guards are the oldest continuously serving regiment of the regular British Army.
Measures approx: 4" x 3"
*Condition* In sound, used condition. Pin has been repaired and may have replaced a pouch bag type of fixing. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
