My mistake, Cynthia, thanks for pointing that out. I frankly admit that I don't know anything about orders and their insignias, and neither my studies in fashion history nor reading this board for a couple of years did change that much. I was misled by the fact that each of these three Lord Treasurers wore the collar, but in fact all three of them have been Knights (or Chancellor) of the Order of the Garter also, so it's apparently the white staff which is the symbol of office.
--Previous Message-- : I thought the chains were part of the insignia : of the Order of the Garter (since we have a : St. George slaying the dragon dangling from : the chain). :