The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is the third-highest order of chivalry in the British honours system. It is primarily awarded to serving member of the armed forces, and to some civilian servants.
In addition to the British Sovereign and the Great Master of the Order (as of 2003 the Prince of Wales), the order includes three classes of knights and dames (with post-nominals in parentheses)
- Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)
- Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB/DCB)
- Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
While the term "Knight of the Bath" goes back into medieval times, referring to a ritual of washing followed by a night of prayer, the order was formally established by King George I on 18 May 1725.
There are several elements of the insignia:
- The Collar is a gold chain, consisting of nine pieces in the form of Imperial Crowns, and eight pieces in the form of a rose, thistle, and shamrock emanating from a gold scepter. The pieces are attached to each other by seventeen silver knots. Only Knights and Dames Grand Cross are entitled to the collar, which they wear around the neck.
- The Badge is worn by Knights and Dames Grand Cross from a crimson ribbon passing over the right shoulder. Knights Commander and Gentlemen Companion wear the Badge suspended from the neck by a crimson ribbon. Dames Commander and Ladies Companion wear the Badge on a Bow placed on the left chest.
- The Military Badge is a gold Maltese cross. In the centre is a silver field bearing the image of a rose, a thistle, and a shamrock, emanating from a sceptre, in between three Imperial Crowns, all within a red circle bearing the motto of the Order. At each angle of the Cross is a small gold sphere bearing the figure of a lion. Beneath is the motto Ich Dien.
- The Civil Badge is an oval bearing the image of a rose, a thistle, and a shamrock, emanating from a sceptre, in between three Imperial Crowns, encircled by the motto of the Order.
- The Star includes a silver field, of three gold Imperial Crowns within a red circle bearing motto Tria Juncta In Uno ('Thre United in One') in gold letters. Only Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commander are entitled to it.
- For Military Knights and Dames Grand Cross, the field, surrounded by a representation of two laurel branches, and the motto Ich Dien ('I Serve') placed on a scroll beneath, is placed in the centre a gold Maltese Cross.
- For Military Knights and Dames Commander, the field, surrounded, by a representation of two laurel branches, and the motto Ich Dien placed on a scroll beneath, is placed in the centre of four rays of silver with a smaller ray in between each pair of large rays.
- For Civil Knights and Dames Grand Cross, the field is placed on several rays of silver.
- For Civil Knights and Dames Commander, the field is placed in the centre of four rays of silver with a smaller ray in between each pair of large rays.
- The Mantle is a crimson satin coat worn by Knights and Dames Grand Cross.
- The Hat is of black velvet and is plumed with white feathers.
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