The Order of Bath
Although it is not considered one of the 'Great Orders' the Order of Bath is
probably the best known of the British orders. The order dates back to at
least 1399, and the name derives from the purification rituals practiced by
medieval knights. Although the order was not used for much of the later
middle-ages, it was revived in 1725 by King George II. The order has three
levels, the lowest and most common, being 'companion level'. The Order of
Bath is generally awarded to those who have given long service in either the
military or civil service.
Famous Members of the Order of Bath include: Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson, Douglas
MacArthur, Robert Mugabe
The Great Orders
There are three orders of British Knighthood that are collectively known as
'The Great Orders'
The Order of the Garter
Founded by Edward III sometime between 1344-48 as part of the ongoing
hundred years war, the Order of the Garter was a military fraternity. The order has survived to
the present day and remains the domain of the monarch who confers it only to
those who have done great service to the country over much of their lives.
The origins of the name of the order are unknown, but it is thought that the
Garter was meant to be a symbol of unity.
Famous Member of the Order of the Garter include: Margaret Thatcher, Edmund Hillary,
Japanese Emperor Hirihito, Benjamin Disraeli
The Order of the Thistle
Scotland¹s premiere order may date back as far as the 8th or 9th century,
but this can¹t be confirmed. It was refounded in 1687 by James VII (James II
of England) and is traditionally only conferred on the highest ranks of
Scottish nobility or those who have done great service to the country. The
order¹s motto is 'no-one strikes me with impunity¹.
Famous Members of the Order of the Thistle include: Douglas Haig, John Stirling, Olaf
V of Norway, Baron Thomas Erskine, Garnet Joseph Wolseley
The Order of St. Patrick
Was originally established in 1783 to reward Irish aristocracy for remaining
loyal to the crown during the American Revolution. After the Act of Union in
1800 the award could be granted to any Irishman performing great service. It
was limited to 23 members at any time and did not allow women into its ranks
(unlike the other great orders). After Ireland was split in 1922, the Order
was only issued to three people, all of them members of the royal family,
the last of whom died in 1974. The order has not been abolished, but has no
current membership.
Famous Members of the Order of St. Patrick: include Horatio Herbert Kitchener,
Edward Guinness
Primary Information for this article obtained from European Orders and
Decortaions to 1945 by Peter Duckers, Shire Publications, 2008
