Military Badge of the Order of the Bath

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. However, the origin of the Order is said to be medieval, the earliest mention being in 1128. The name derives from the ancient ceremony wherein individuals participated in a vigil of fasting, prayer, and bathing on the day before being knighted (the ceremony was discontinued in 1815). Information on this site has been posted with the intent that it be readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from Veterans Affairs Canada. ... Information on this site has been posted with the intent that it be readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from Veterans Affairs Canada. ... George I (Georg Ludwig) (28 May 1660 – 11 June 1727) was Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover) from 23 January 1698, and King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 1 August 1714, until his death. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... Events February 8 - Catherine I became empress of Russia February 20 - The first reported case of white men scalping Native Americans takes place in New Hampshire colony. ... Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food and in some cases drink, for a period of time. ... Maria Magdalene in prayer. ... Children bathing in a small metal bathtub Bathing is the immersion of the body in fluid, usually water, or an aqueous solution, such as the asses milk favored by Cleopatra VII of Egypt[citation needed]. Some spa facilities provide bathing in various other liquids such as chocolate or mud, and...

The Order consists of the Sovereign (the British Sovereign), the Great Master (HRH The Prince of Wales), and three Classes of members: This article describes the British monarchy from the perspective of the United Kingdom. ... The Prince of Wales The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 14 November 1948), is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. ...

• Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCB)
• Knight or Dame Commander (KCB or DCB)
• Companion (CB)

Originally founded as a military order of chivalry, the star (or pip) worn as army officers' rank insignia is that of the Order of the Bath. Members now belong to either the Civil or the Military Division. The Order's motto is Tria iuncta in uno (Latin for "Three joined in one"), a reference to either the union of England, Scotland and Ireland, or to the Holy Trinity. The former is more likely; a recurring symbol of the Order comprises three crowns. Another motto, Ich dien (older German for "I serve") is sometimes used, but only by members of the Order who serve in the military. Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the United Kingdom (light green), with the Republic of Ireland (blue) to its west Languages English Capital London Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid... Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within Europe Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... This article concerns the holy Trinity of Christianity. ...

The Order is the fourth-most senior of the British Orders of Chivalry, after The Most Noble Order of the Garter, The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, and The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick. The last of the aforementioned Orders—which relates to Ireland, no longer a part of the United Kingdom—still exists but is in disuse; no appointments have been made to it since 1934. The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals personal bravery, achievement or service to the United Kingdom. ... The Garter is the most recognizable insignia of the Order of the Garter. ... James VII ordained the modern Order. ... The Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick is an order of chivalry associated with Ireland. ...

History

Knights Grand Cross wear their habits over suits in modern times. During the nineteenth century, as depicted above, they wore them over imitations of seventeenth century dress.

Under a tradition that dates to the middle ages, special knighthoods were conferred on important royal occasions such as coronations. These knighthoods were known as Knighthoods of the Bath (postnominal letters "KB") due to the ritual bathing observed prior to the investiture. The practice had been discontinued by the reign of Charles II. George I revived the practice, instituting the Order of the Bath by letters patent, upon the advice of his Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole (who wished to control a source of political patronage). The Order initially consisted of the Sovereign, a Great Master and thirty-six Knights Companion, all of whom were senior military figures (see List of Knights Companion of the Bath). Order of the Bath Robes. ... Order of the Bath Robes. ... Riding habits of the 1830s A riding habit is womens clothing for horseback riding. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... A statue of an armoured knight of the Middle Ages For the chess piece, see knight (chess). ... British coronations are held in Westminster Abbey. ... Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was the King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland from 30 January 1649 (de jure) or 29 May 1660 (de facto) until his death. ... Letters Patent by Queen Victoria creating the office of Governor-General of Australia Letters patent are a type of legal document which is an open letter issued by a monarch or government granting a right, monopoly, title, or status to someone or some entity such as a corporation. ... The Right Honourable Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, KB, PC (26 August 1676 – 18 March 1745), usually known as Sir Robert Walpole, was a British statesman who is generally regarded as having been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. ... Generally, patronage is the act of supporting or favoring some person, group, or institution. ... This is a list of those men who were made Knights Companion of the Order of the Bath from the date of the Orders revival by King George I of Great Britain, 18 May 1725, to its reorganisation on 2 January 1815. ...

After 1815, at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the Prince Regent (later George IV) divided the Order into Civil and Military Divisions, the latter with three classes (Knights Grand Cross, Knights Commanders, and Companions of the Bath; postnominal letters "GCB", "KCB" and "CB" ), causing some complaints that such an expansion would reduce the prestige of the Order. The vigil of fasting, prayer, and bathing were also formally abolished at the same time. In 1847, the Order was again expanded into parallel Military and Civil Divisions, both with three classes. Several further amendments have been made since. Combatants Allies: • Great Britain/United Kingdom, • Prussia, • Austria, • Sweden, • Russia • France • Denmark-Norway • Poland Casualties Full list Full list The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France. ... Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food and in some cases drink, for a period of time. ... Maria Magdalene in prayer. ... Children bathing in a small metal bathtub Bathing is the immersion of the body in fluid, usually water, or an aqueous solution, such as the asses milk favored by Cleopatra VII of Egypt[citation needed]. Some spa facilities provide bathing in various other liquids such as chocolate or mud, and...

Composition

The British Sovereign is the Sovereign of the Order of the Bath. The next-most senior member of the Order is the Great Master, of which there have been nine: This article describes the British monarchy from the perspective of the United Kingdom. ...

• 1725–1749: John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu
• 1749–1767: (vacant)
• 1767–1827: Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany
• 1827–1830: William, Duke of Clarence and St. Andrews (later King William IV)
• 1830–1837: (vacant)
• 1837–1843: Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex
• 1843–1861: Prince Albert, the Prince Consort
• 1861–1897: (vacant)
• 1897–1901: Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII)
• 1901–1942: Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
• 1942–1974: Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
• 1974–present: Charles, Prince of Wales

The Sovereign makes all appointments to the Order on the advice of the Government. The statutes also provide for the following: John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu (1689 - 1749), in 1745 raised a cavalry regiment known as Montagus Carabineers, which, however, was disbanded after Culloden. ... The Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (Frederick Augustus) (16 August 1763 - 5 January 1827) was a member of the British Royal Family, the second eldest child, and second son of King George III. From 1820 until his death in 1827, he was the heir presumptive to his elder... William IV (William Henry) (21 August 1765 – 20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death. ... Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (27 January 1773 – 21 April 1843), was the sixth son of King George III of the United Kingdom and his consort, Queen Charlotte. ... Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (in full Francis Charles Augustus Albert Emmanuel) (26 August 1819 – 14 December 1861) was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ... Edward VII (Albert Edward) (9 November 1841–6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King of the Commonwealth Realms, and the Emperor of India. ... Prince Arthur as a lieutenant in The Prince Consorts Own Rifle Brigade. ... The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (Henry William Frederick Albert), (31 March 1900 – 10 June 1974) was a member of the British Royal Family, the third son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ... The Prince of Wales The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 14 November 1948), is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. ...

• 120 Knights or Dames Grand Cross (GCB), (of whom the Great Master is the First and Principal)
• 355 Knights Commander (KCB) or Dames Commander (DCB)
• 1,925 Companions (CB).

Women were not admitted to the Order until 1971. In 1975, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, an aunt of Elizabeth II, became the first to reach the highest rank, Dame Grand Cross. Regular membership is limited to citizens of the United Kingdom and of Commonwealth countries. Non-Commonwealth foreigners, however, may be made Honorary Members. For instance, two individuals were made Knights Grand Cross shortly after the conclusion of their terms as Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan (in 1989) and George H. W. Bush (in 1993), and one previously for his service as Supreme Allied Commander in World War II Dwight D. Eisenhower. Princess Alice of Gloucester The Lady Alice Christabel Montagu-Douglas-Scott, later Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester GCB CI GCVO GBE (December 25, 1901 – October 29, 2004) was the wife of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester — the third son of King George V and Queen Mary. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor) (born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen independent nations known as the Commonwealth Realms. ... The presidential seal was used by President Hayes in 1880 and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). ... George Herbert Walker Bush, Hon GCB (born June 12, 1924) was the 41st President of the United States (1989–1993). ... Dwight David Ike Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American soldier and politician. ...

The limits prescribed by the statutes of the Order have often been raised; the Order originally consisted of less than forty members, but now includes over two thousand. The statutes permit the Sovereign to disregard the limits when appointing members whose actions deserve a "peculiar honour or reward." These "Additional Members," as well as Honorary Members, do not count towards the numerical maxima imposed by the statutes.

Officers

The Star as it appears on military uniforms, line drawing

The Order of the Bath has six officers: Image File history File links GCB-Military-Star. ... Image File history File links GCB-Military-Star. ...

• the Dean
• the King of Arms
• the Registrar and Secretary
• the Deputy Secretary
• the Genealogist
• the Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod

The office of Dean is held by the Dean of Westminster. The King of Arms, responsible for heraldry, is known as the Bath King of Arms; he is not, however, a member of the College of Arms, like many heralds. The Order's Usher is known as the Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod; he does not, unlike his Order of the Garter equivalent (the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod) perform any duties in the House of Lords. The Abbey at night, from Deans Yard. ... Heraldry is the science and art of designing, displaying, describing and recording coats of arms and badges, as well as the formal ceremonies and laws that regulate the use and inheritance of arms. ... The Colleges own coat of arms was granted in 1484. ... The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to just Black Rod, is an official in the parliaments of a number of Commonwealth countries. ... This article is about the British House of Lords. ...

Vestments and accoutrements

The insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the civil division of the order.

Members of the Order wear elaborate costumes on important occasions (such as its quadrennial investiture ceremonies and coronations), which vary by rank: Image File history File links CivilKnightsGrandCrossoftheBath. ... Image File history File links CivilKnightsGrandCrossoftheBath. ... British coronations are held in Westminster Abbey. ...

• The mantle, worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross, is made of crimson satin lined with white tafetta. On the left side is a representation of the star (see below). The mantle is bound with two large tassels.
• The hat, worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commanders, is made of black velvet; it includes an upright plume of feathers.
• The collar, worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross, is made of gold and weighs 30 troy ounces (933 g). It consists of depictions of nine imperial crowns and eight sets of flowers (roses for England, thistles for Scotland and shamrocks for Ireland), connected by seventeen silver knots.

At lesser occasions, simpler insignia are used: Look up Satin in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... There are many different styles of hat. ... Velvet is a type of tufted fabric in which the cut threads are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it its distinct feel. ... For other uses, see Feather (disambiguation). ... General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Atomic mass 196. ... Troy weight is a system of units of mass customarily used for precious metals and gemstones. ... Species About 100, see text A rose is a flowering shrub of the genus Rosa, and the flower of this shrub. ... Species See text Thistles are perennial flowering plants of the genus Cirsium. ... The Shamrock The shamrock, an unofficial symbol of Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts, is a three-leaved young white clover, sometimes (rarely nowadays) Trifolium repens (white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhán) but more usually today Trifolium dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí). The shamrock was traditionally used for...

• The star is an accoutrement used only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commanders. Its style varies by rank and division; it is worn pinned to the left breast:
  • The star for military Knights and Dames Grand Cross consists of a Maltese Cross on top of an eight-pointed silver star; the star for military Knights and Dames Commander is an eight-pointed silver cross pattée. Each bears in the centre three crowns surrounded by a red ring bearing the motto of the Order in gold letters. The circle is flanked by two laurel branches and is above a scroll bearing the words Ich dien in gold letters.
  • The star for civil Knights and Dames Grand Cross consists of an eight-pointed silver star, without the Maltese cross; the star for civil Knights and Dames Commanders is an eight-pointed silver cross pattée. The design of each is the same as the design of the military stars, except that the laurel branches and the words Ich dien are excluded.
• The badge is an insignia that varies in design, size and manner of wearing by rank and division. The Knight and Dame Grand Cross' badge is larger than the Knight and Dame Commander's badge, which is in turn larger than the Companion's badge; however, these are all suspended on a crimson ribbon. Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the badge on a riband or sash, passing from the right shoulder to the left hip. Knights Commanders and male Companions wear the badge from a ribbon worn around the neck. Dames Commanders and female Companions wear the badge from a bow on the left side:
  • The military badge is a gold Maltese Cross of eight points, enamelled in white. Each point of the cross is decorated by a small gold ball; each angle has a small figure of a lion. The centre of the cross bears three crowns on the obverse side, and a rose, a thistle and a shamrock, emanating from a sceptre on the reverse side. Both emblems are surrounded by a red circular ring bearing the motto of the Order, which are in turn flanked by two laurel branches, above a scroll bearing the words Ich dien in gold letters.
  • The civil badge is a plain gold oval, bearing three crowns on the obverse side, and a rose, a thistle and a shamrock, emanating from a sceptre on the reverse side; both emblems are surrounded by a ring bearing the motto of the Order.

On certain "collar days" designated by the Sovereign, members attending formal events may wear the Order's collar over their military uniform or eveningwear. When collars are worn (either on collar days or on formal occasions such as coronations), the badge is suspended from the collar. The Maltese Cross (✠) has been the symbol of the Christian warrior since the First Crusade. ... Species See text Thistles are perennial flowering plants of the genus Cirsium. ... The Shamrock The shamrock, an unofficial symbol of Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts, is a three-leaved young white clover, sometimes (rarely nowadays) Trifolium repens (white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhán) but more usually today Trifolium dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí). The shamrock was traditionally used for... A sceptre or scepter is an ornamental staff held by a ruling monarch, a prominent item of kingly regalia. ... Species See text Thistles are perennial flowering plants of the genus Cirsium. ... The Shamrock The shamrock, an unofficial symbol of Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts, is a three-leaved young white clover, sometimes (rarely nowadays) Trifolium repens (white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhán) but more usually today Trifolium dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí). The shamrock was traditionally used for... A sceptre or scepter is an ornamental staff held by a ruling monarch, a prominent item of kingly regalia. ...

The collars and badges of Knights and Dames Grand Cross are returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood upon the decease of their owners. All other insignia may be retained by their owners. This is a small office within the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom responsible for the administration of Orders of Chivalry and some aspects of honours in general. ...

Chapel

Westminster Abbey with a procession of Knights of the Bath, by Canaletto, 1749.

The Chapel of the Order is Henry VII Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey. Every four years, an installation ceremony, presided over by the Great Master, and a religious service are held in the Chapel; the Sovereign attends every alternate ceremony. The Sovereign and each knight who has been installed is allotted a stall in the choir of the chapel. Since there are a limited number of stalls in the Chapel, only the most senior Knights and Dames Grand Cross are installed. By convention, stalls are offered alternately to members of the military and civil divisions. Waits between admission to the Order and installation may be very long; for instance, Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma was created a Knight Grand Cross in 1955, but was installed in 1972. Download high resolution version (1008x984, 184 KB)Westminster Abbey with a procession of Knights of the Bath, by Canaletto, 1749. ... Download high resolution version (1008x984, 184 KB)Westminster Abbey with a procession of Knights of the Bath, by Canaletto, 1749. ... The Abbeys western façade The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster, which is almost always referred to as Westminster Abbey, is a mainly Gothic church, on the scale of a cathedral, in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. ... The Stonemasons Yard, painted 1726-30. ... The Henry VII Lady Chapel is a large chapel at the far eastern end of Westminster Abbey. ... The Abbeys western façade The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster, which is almost always referred to as Westminster Abbey, is a mainly Gothic church, on the scale of a cathedral, in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Admiral of the Fleet The Right Honourable Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, KStJ, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC (25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979) was a British admiral and statesman and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. ...

Above each stall, the occupant's heraldic devices are displayed. Perched on the pinnacle of a knight's stall is his helm, decorated with a mantling and topped by his crest. Under English heraldic law, women other than monarchs do not bear helms or crests; instead, the coronet appropriate to the dame's rank is used. Coin showing a coronet A coronet is a small crown consisting of ornaments fixed on a metal ring. ...

Above the crest or coronet, the knight's or dame's heraldic banner is hung, emblazoned with his or her coat of arms. At a considerably smaller scale, to the back of the stall is affixed a piece of brass (a "stall plate") displaying its occupant's name, arms and date of admission into the Order. A banner is a flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or other message. ... A modern coat of arms is derived from the medi val practice of painting designs onto the shield and outer clothing of knights to enable them to be identified in battle, and later in tournaments. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Upon the death of a Knight, the banner, helm, mantling and crest (or coronet or crown) are taken down. The stall plates, however, are not removed; rather, they remain permanently affixed somewhere about the stall, so that the stalls of the chapel are festooned with a colourful record of the Order's Knights (and now Ladies) throughout history.

Precedence and privileges

Members of the Order of the Bath are assigned positions in the order of precedence. Wives of male members also feature on the order of precedence, as do sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commanders; relatives of female members, however, are not assigned any special precedence. Generally, individuals can derive precedence from their fathers or husbands, but not from their mothers or wives. (See order of precedence in England and Wales for the exact positions.) The Order of precedence in England and Wales as of 29 October 2004: Names in italics indicate higher precedence elsewhere in the table: e. ...

Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commanders prefix "Sir," and Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commanders prefix "Dame," to their forenames. Wives of Knights may prefix "Lady" to their surnames, but no equivalent privilege exists for husbands of Dames. Such forms are not used by peers and princes, except when the names of the former are written out in their fullest forms. Furthermore, honorary members and clergymen do not use the accolade of knighthood.

Knights and Dames Grand Cross use the post-nominal "GCB"; Knights Commanders use "KCB"; Dames Commanders use "DCB"; Companions use "CB." Post-nominal letters are letters placed after the name of an individual to indicate that that individual holds a position, office, or honour. ...

Knights and Dames Grand Cross are also entitled to receive heraldic supporters. Furthermore, they may encircle their arms with a depiction of the circlet (a red circle bearing the motto) and the collar; the former is shown either outside or on top of the latter.

Knights and Dames Commanders and Companions may display the circlet, but not the collar, around their arms. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar or circlet.

See also

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References