TERMS RELATING TO RANKS AND TITLES
accident into a source of honour and distinction by founding; a fraternity of Knights with that motto and the decoration of an embroidered garter. It consists of the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, twenty-five Knights Companions, and such lineal descendants of George II. as may be elected extra Knights.
Order of the Crown of India. — was instituted on 1st January 1878 to commemorate the assumption by Queen Victoria of the title of Empress of India. To consist of the Sovereign, Princesses of the Royal and Imperial House, the wives or other female relatives of Indian princes, and of other Indian ladies the Sovereign may think fit; and also of the wives or other female relatives of any of the persons who have held, now hold, or may hereafter hold the offices of Viceroy of India and Governor-General of India, Governor of Madras or Bombay, or of Principal Secretary of State for India. The decoration consists of a badge and the inscription V.R.I. on it.
Order of the Guelphs of Hanover. — This, though no longer a British fraternity, enjoyed that distinction for nearly a quarter of a century, and Englishmen have more largely participated in its honours than the natives of Hanover. It was founded by George IV. in 1815, and consists of three classes — Knights Grand Cross, Knights Commander, Knights; the latter, however, in this country, have no other attribute of Knighthood than the name, and correspond exactly to the Cavalieri or Companions of other Orders; but in Hanover they enjoy several privileges.
The Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. — incorporated by Royal Charter, 1888, under the title of the “Grand Priory of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England”, is the English Langue or branch of the celebrated Order of the Knights of St. John, established at Jerusalem at the time of the 1st Crusade and was founded at Clerkenwell about 1100 A.D. It was suppressed by Elizabeth, and not revived until after the dispersal of the Order on the capture of Malta by Buonaparte. The head of the fraternity is the Sovereign, and the various grades are a Grand Prior, a Sub-Prior, a titular Bailiff of Eagle, Honorary Bailiffs, Commanders. Knights and Ladies of Justice, Knights and Ladies of Grace, Esquires, and Serving Brothers and Sisters. The Chancery of the Order is in the gateway of the original Priory in Clerkenwell, which is still standing.
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