Orders
- Distinguished Service Order
- Guelphic Order
- Imperial Service Medal
- Imperial Service Order
- Knights Bachelor
- Order of Merit
- Order of St John
- Order of St Michael & St George
- Order of the Bath
- Order of the British Empire
- Order of the Companions of Honour
- Order of the Garter
- Order of the Indian Empire
- Order of the League of Mercy
- Order of the Star of India
- Order of the Thistle
- Royal Victorian Medal
- Royal Victorian Order
Author Archives: Jonathan
Knights Bachelor
Although strictly speaking this is not an order of knighthood, nevertheless documents are occasionally issued. When it is not possible for the monarch to administer the accolade, then letters patent are issued under the Great Seal. The form of letters … Continue reading
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The Order of St John
The Order was granted a Royal Charter in 1888. The Order is used to reward valuable service to the Order. The documents produced for recipients are called diplomas. As the Order is semi-official, diplomas are not subject to official sanction … Continue reading
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Order of Mercy
The League was founded in 1898 and although it was not an official enterprise the appointments to the Order were sanctioned by the sovereign. It also had a place in the official Order of Wear. For more information about the … Continue reading
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Order of the Indian Empire
The Order was founded in 1877 at the same time that Queen Victoria assumed the title of Empress of India. Like the Order of the Star of India, it began as a single class order before being expanded to three … Continue reading
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The Order the Star of India
The Order was instituted in 1861 as a single grade, primarily to reward loyal Indian princes. It was later expanded to three grades. It was the highest honour of knighthood in the country. Seal The seal of the Order is … Continue reading
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The Order of the British Empire
The Order was created in 1917 after recognising that the existing orders where not suitable to reward the large numbers of people requiring recognition as a result of the First World War. There were major changes to the Order in … Continue reading
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Order of the Thistle
The Order was created in 1687 and then re-established in 1703. It is the senior order of knighthood in Scotland. The only two warrants I have seen are from mid-twentieth century. These warrants are hand written. Recently the Order has … Continue reading
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Order of the Garter
The Order was founded in 1348 and is the highest order of knighthood in the kingdom. It is limited to 25 knights. Presumably over such a long period of time there may have been several variants in the warrants issued, … Continue reading
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Royal Guelphic Order
The Order was founded in 1815 to reward both British and Hanoverian citizens for distinguish services to Hanover. In 1837 the order passed to Ernst Augustus, King of Hanover, after which it became a purely Hanoverian award. The only paperwork … Continue reading
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Order of the Companions of Honour
The CH was founded in 1917 to reward those that have rendered conspicuous service of national importance in the fields of arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry and religion. The Order comprises only 65 living members. I have only seen … Continue reading