The Handbook to English Heraldry Part 35

The MILITARY INSIGNIA are--The BADGE, a complicated combination of devices, characteristic of the debased period which produced it. It is represented in No. 437.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 437.--Badge of the Bath (Military Division).]

The Cross is white; the circle with the Motto, red; and the small scroll in base, blue; all the rest being enamelled "proper." This Badge is worn by the G.C.B. attached to a _Collar_, formed of nine Crowns and eight cl.u.s.ters of the Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock issuing from a Sceptre, alternating with seventeen Knots enamelled argent: or, this Badge is suspended by the G.C.B. from a broad _red Ribbon_, crossing the left shoulder. By the K.C.B. the Badge is worn from a narrower red Ribbon about the neck, or a still narrower at the b.u.t.ton-hole. Also, by the C.B. it is attached to a narrow red Ribbon at the b.u.t.ton-hole.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 453.--Star of Knight Grand Cross (Civil).]

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 454.--Star of Knight Commander (Military).]

The _Star_ of the G.C.B. is similar to the Badge without The Cross and the lions, surrounded by silver rays having a lozenge-shaped outline.

The _Star_ of the K.C.B., which is in the form of a Maltese Cross, omits the Cross of the Badge. The C.B. have no Star.

The Diplomatic and Civil INSIGNIA are--The _Badge_, No. 438, worn with the same distinctions as the Naval and Military Badge; but the C.B.

Badge is of smaller size than the Badges of the two higher Cla.s.ses.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 438.--Badge of the Bath (Civil Division).]

The _Star_ of the G.C.B. has eight silver rays encircling their Badge in a circular form. The Star of the K.C.B. is the same as that of the Naval and Military K.C.B., omitting the laurel-wreath and the small scroll and motto.

The _Motto_ of the Order--TRIA . JUNCTA . IN . UNO--"Three united in one," refers to the Union of the three Realms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in the Order.

The _Stalls_ of the Knights of the Bath, before the Order was divided into cla.s.ses, and those of their Esquires, are in Henry the Seventh's Chapel, Westminster Abbey; but no installation has taken place since 1815, when the Order was reorganised, and no new plates or banners have been set up.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 455.--Order of Merit.]

THE ORDER OF MERIT (O.M.) inst.i.tuted in the year 1902, although it gives to its members neither style nor precedence, ranks next to the Order of the Bath, and is divided into two cla.s.ses, Military and Civil. The only Insignia are the Badge and the Ribbon parti-coloured of _red_ and _blue_. The Badge is _a cross patee of four arms_, the outline of the cross being circular. The cross is of _blue enamel_ and superimposed thereupon a smaller cross of the same design of _red_. The centre is _blue_, bearing the words, "FOR MERIT," in gold letters within a laurel wreath. The cross is surmounted by the Royal Crown. The reverse of the Badge shows the Royal and Imperial Cypher. To the Badge _two swords saltirewise_ in the angles of the cross are added in the case of members of the Military Division.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 456.--Collar and Insignia of the Exalted Order of the Star of India.]

The Most Exalted ORDER OF THE STAR OF INDIA, inst.i.tuted by Queen Victoria in 1861, to render especial honour to high merit and loyalty in the Indian Empire, was enlarged on the 24th of May 1866, and ordained to consist of the SOVEREIGN, a GRAND MASTER, and 291 Ordinary COMPANIONS or MEMBERS; together with such extra and Honorary Members as the Sovereign at any time may be pleased to appoint.

The VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA for the time being is always the GRAND MASTER. The Ordinary Members are divided into Three Cla.s.ses:--The "First Cla.s.s" comprises 36 KNIGHTS GRAND COMMANDERS: G.C.S.I. In the "Second Cla.s.s" there are 85 KNIGHTS COMMANDERS: K.S.I.

And, the "Third Cla.s.s" numbers 170 COMPANIONS: C.S.I.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 439.--Badge of the Star of India.]

The INSIGNIA are--The _Badge_, No. 439, formed of diamonds, having the Motto on a field of light blue enamel, and the bust of the late Queen executed as an onyx cameo. This Badge is attached by a mullet to the _Collar_, composed of heraldic roses and lotus flowers alternating with palm-branches, a crown being in the Centre: or, the Badge is worn from a _Ribbon of pale blue with white borders_ crossing the left shoulder. The _Star_, of diamonds, has a mullet upon an irradiated field in its centre, within the _Motto_--HEAVEN'S . LIGHT . OUR . GUIDE, the whole being environed with wavy rays having a circular outline.

The Most Distinguished ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE, originally inst.i.tuted in 1818 for use in Malta and the Ionian Islands, has been extended and enlarged in 1868, 1877, and 1902, and now is awarded for Colonial and for Foreign Services. It consists of 100 KNIGHTS GRAND CROSS (G.C.M.G.), 300 KNIGHTS COMMANDERS (K.C.M.G.), and 600 COMPANIONS (C.M.G.), in addition to Honorary Members. The numbers are not adhered to. The _Star_ is of seven long rays, smaller rays intervening. This is charged with the Cross of St. George, and in the centre is a representation of St. Michael encountering Satan within a blue circle, bearing the Motto of the Order, "AUSPICIUM MELIORIS aeVI."

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 457.--Star and Collar of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.]

The _Collar_ is composed alternately of lions of England, Maltese Crosses, and Cyphers, S. M. and S. G. In the centre is the Crown _over two winged lions pa.s.sant guardant, each holding a book and seven arrows_.

The _Badge_ is a gold cross of fourteen points of white enamel, and has in the centre, within the Motto of the Order (on the one side), St.

Michael encountering Satan (and on the other side), St. George and the Dragon. The Badge is surmounted by the Crown.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 458.--Eminent Order of the Indian Empire.]

The Most Eminent ORDER OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, inst.i.tuted in 1878 and subsequently enlarged, is the second Indian Order, and consists of three cla.s.ses, KNIGHTS GRAND COMMANDERS (G.C.I.E.), KNIGHTS COMMANDERS (K.C.I.E.), and COMPANIONS (C.I.E.).

The _Star_ is of five rays of silver, alternated with as many rays of gold. In the centre, within a purple circle, inscribed with the Motto, "IMPERATRICIS AUSPICIIS," and surmounted by the Crown, is an effigy of Queen VICTORIA.

The _Collar_ is composed of elephants, lotus-flowers, peac.o.c.ks in their pride, and Indian roses, all connected by gold chains.

The _Badge_ is a red enamelled rose, in the centre of which is the effigy within the Motto as on the Star.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 459.--The Badge.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 460.--G.C.V.O. Star.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 461.--K.C.V.O. Star.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 462.--G.C.V.O. Badge.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 463.--K.C.V.O. Badge.]

The ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER was inst.i.tuted in 1896 as the personal Order of the British Sovereign, and is divided into five cla.s.ses--KNIGHTS GRAND CROSS (G.C.V.O.), KNIGHTS COMMANDERS (K.C.V.O.), COMMANDERS (C.V.O.), and Members of the Fourth and Fifth Cla.s.ses (both M.V.O.).

The _Star_ is of eight points, and of chipped silver, having in the centre a representation of the Badge.

The BADGE is a white Maltese Cross. It has an oval enamelled centre of crimson with the monogram V. R. I., within a blue enamelled circle, carrying the Motto of the Order "VICTORIA," the circle surmounted by the Crown. There is no collar for the order, but the King occasionally bestows, as an extreme mark of favour, "The Royal Victorian Chain,"

a decoration not governed by express Statute.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 464.--Distinguished Service Order.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 465.--Imperial Service Order.]

The DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER is a Military Decoration inst.i.tuted in 1886, but which does not carry the style of Knighthood. The _Badge_ is a gold cross enamelled white and of a circular outline. In the centre (on the one side) is the Crown on a red enamel ground within a wreath of laurel, (and on the other side) the Royal Cypher takes the place of the Crown.

The IMPERIAL SERVICE ORDER, a purely Civil Decoration inst.i.tuted in 1902, is confined to the Administrative Services of the Empire. The _Badge_ is an eight-rayed star bearing (on one side) the Royal Cypher and (on the other side) "For faithful service," surrounded by a wreath of laurel and surmounted by the Crown.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 440.--The Victoria Cross.]

The VICTORIA CROSS, of bronze, was inst.i.tuted by her late Majesty Queen VICTORIA in 1856, to render honour to "conspicuous bravery" in actual conflict, by sea or land. This Cross, No. 440, is worn on the left breast, attached to a _blue_ ribbon for the Navy, and to a _red_ ribbon for the Army. A Bar is attached to the ribbon for every additional such act of bravery as would have won the Cross.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 441.--The Albert Medal.]

The ALBERT MEDAL, No. 441, which was inst.i.tuted also by Queen VICTORIA, dates from March 13, 1866, and is to distinguish those who save, or who at the peril of their own lives endeavour to save, life or perform other meritorious acts of bravery. The Coronet is that of H.R.H. the late PRINCE CONSORT; and the Monogram consists of the Initials V. A., with an anchor. This Medal is executed in Silver and Bronze for two cla.s.ses of recipients. The anchor in the Badge is omitted when awarded for land services.

Other Decorations are "The Royal Order of Victoria and Albert" (of four cla.s.ses) and the Imperial Order of the Crown of India (of one cla.s.s), both confined to ladies, the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal, the Volunteer Officers' Decoration, the Territorial Decoration, the Edward Medal, the King's Police Medal, the Royal Red Cross, and the Order of Mercy; whilst the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England receives official recognition.