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. 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. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (102nd in leap years). ... George I (Georg Ludwig von Hannover) (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 (and generally briefly) abstaining from all food and in some cases drink, or in other cases from certain types or groups of food (e. ... Prayer is an effort to communicate with (a) God(s), or to some deity or deities, or another form of spiritual entity, or otherwise, either to offer praise, to make a request, or simply to express ones thoughts and emotions. ... Kids bathing in a small metal tub 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. ...

The Order consists of the Sovereign (the British Sovereign), the Great Master (HRH The Prince of Wales), and three Classes of members: The monarch or Sovereign is the head of state of the United Kingdom. ... HRH The Prince of Wales His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 14 November 1948), the eldest son of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is Heir Apparent to the thrones of the United Kingdom...

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

Members 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 (German for "I serve") is sometimes used, but only by members of the Order who serve in the military. Latin is the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Religion... Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Alba) is a country in northwest Europe, occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain. ... This article concerns the holy Trinity of Christianity. ...

The Order is the fourth-most senior in the British honours system, 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 honours system of the United Kingdom is a means of rewarding personal bravery, achievement or service to the country. ...  Spoken article available (part 1)  (part 2) A garter is one of the Orders most recognisable insignia. ... James VII ordained the modern Order. ... The Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick is an order of chivalry associated with Ireland. ... 1934 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

History

Under a tradition that dates to mediæval times, special knighthoods were conferred on important royal occasions such as coronations. These knighthoods were called Knighthoods of the Bath due to the ritual bathing observed prior to the investiture. The practice became obsolete 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. 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, Scotland, and Ireland from 30 January 1649 (de jure) or 29 May 1660 (de facto) until his death. ... Letters Patent by Queen Victoria creating 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. ... Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (26 August 1676–18 March 1745), normally known as Sir Robert Walpole, 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. ...

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, 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. 1815 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Napoleonic Wars are the wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule of France. ... Fasting is the act of willingly (and generally briefly) abstaining from all food and in some cases drink, or in other cases from certain types or groups of food (e. ... Prayer is an effort to communicate with (a) God(s), or to some deity or deities, or another form of spiritual entity, or otherwise, either to offer praise, to make a request, or simply to express ones thoughts and emotions. ... Kids bathing in a small metal tub 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. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

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; HRH The Prince of Wales has been the Great Master since 1975. The Sovereign makes all appointments to the Order on the advice of the Government. The statutes also provide for : The monarch or Sovereign is the head of state of the United Kingdom. ... HRH The Prince of Wales His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 14 November 1948), the eldest son of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is Heir Apparent to the thrones of the United Kingdom... 1975 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ...

• 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). 1971 is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). ... 1975 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester (Alice Christabel Windsor, née Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott) (December 25, 1901 – October 29, 2004) was the wife of the Duke of Gloucester — the third son of King George V and Queen Mary — and the mother of... Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), styled HM The Queen ( born 21 April 1926) is the queen regnant and head of state of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent... Seal of the President of the United States The President of the United States is the head of state of the United States. ... Order: 40th President Vice President: George H.W. Bush Term of office: 21 January 1981 – 20 January 1989 Preceded by: Jimmy Carter Succeeded by: George H.W. Bush Date of birth: 6 February 1911 Place of birth: Tampico, Illinois Date of death: 5 June 2004 Place of death: Bel-Air... 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Order: 41st President Vice President: J. Danforth Quayle Term of office: January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993 Preceded by: Ronald Reagan Succeeded by: Bill Clinton Date of birth: June 12, 1924 Place of birth: Milton, Massachusetts First Lady: Barbara Pierce Bush Political party: Republican George Herbert Walker Bush (born June... 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

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 Order of the Bath has six officers:

• the Dean
• the King of Arms
• the Secretary
• the Deputy Secretary
• the Genealogist
• the Usher

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 describing coats-of-arms, also referred to as achievements or armorial bearings. ... 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 of a figure in the parliaments of a number of Commonwealth countries. ... This article is about the British House of Lords. ...

Vestments and Accoutrements

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.

Members of the Order wear elaborate costumes on important occasions (such as its quadrennial investiture ceremonies and coronations), which vary by rank: Order of the Bath Robes. ... Order of the Bath Robes. ... 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: Satin is a thick cloth that has a glossy surface and a dull back. ... For the H.A.T. TLAs, see HAT. There are many different styles of hats A hat is an item of clothing which is worn on the head – a kind of headgear. ... This article is about velvet, the fabric. ... Closeup on a single white feather A feather is one of the epidermal growths that forms the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on a bird. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11 (IB), 6, d Density, Hardness 19300 kg/m3, 2. ... Troy weight is a system of units of mass customarily used for precious metals and gemstones. ... Species About 100, see text References:   U. of Illinois 2002-05-29 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. ... This article is about the three leaf clover; for other meanings of the term, see shamrock (disambiguation) The shamrock, an Irish national symbol, 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...

• 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 which 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 evening wear. 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. ... This article is about the three leaf clover; for other meanings of the term, see shamrock (disambiguation) The shamrock, an Irish national symbol, 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... 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. ... This article is about the three leaf clover; for other meanings of the term, see shamrock (disambiguation) The shamrock, an Irish national symbol, 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... 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.

Chapel

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. The Henry VII Lady Chapel is a large chapel at the far eastern end of Westminster Abbey. ... The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster (Westminster Abbey), a mainly Gothic church, on the scale of a cathedral, is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English monarchs. ... This article discusses cathedral diagrams. ... Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (June 25, 1900 – August 27, 1979) was a British admiral and statesman and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. ... 1955 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ...

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. ...

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. For other meanings of the term banner, see banner (disambiguation). ... 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. ... Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. ...

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. As a general rule, 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: Gentlemen The Sovereign (Queen Elizabeth II) HRH The Duke of Edinburgh HRH The Prince of Wales HRH The Duke of York HRH The Earl of Wessex HRH Prince William of Wales HRH Prince Harry of Wales Peter...

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. They may, furthermore, 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

• Order of the Garter
• Order of the Thistle
• Order of St Michael and St George
• Royal Victorian Order
• Order of the British Empire

 Spoken article available (part 1)  (part 2) A garter is one of the Orders most recognisable insignia. ... James VII ordained the modern Order. ... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... Victoria founded the Royal Victorian Order. ... Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand Cross...

References

• Sovereign as 'Fountain of Honour' (http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page495.asp)
• Brennan, I. G. (2004). "The Most Honourable Order of the Bath." (http://www.heraldicsculptor.com/bath.html)
• Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society. (2002). "The Most Honourable Order of the Bath." (http://www.cam.ac.uk/societies/cuhags/orderofc/bath.htm)
• Debrett's Limited. (2004). "The Most Honourable Order of the Bath." (http://www.debretts.co.uk/etiquette/order_of_the_bath.html)
• "Knighthood and Chivalry." (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th ed. London: Cambridge University Press.
• Velde, F. R. (2003). "Order of Precedence in England and Wales." (http://www.heraldica.org/topics/britain/order_precedence.htm)