Page:Dod's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage etc. of Great Britain and Ireland.djvu/657

 605 BRIEF VIEW OF TITULAR DISTINCTIONS AND TERMS RELATING TO RANKS 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 Clerkeiiwell 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. Most Eminent Order or the Indian Empire. — This Order was instituted by the Que^n on the 1st of January, 1878, to commemorate the event of the proclamation of Her Majesty's style and title of Empress of India in the Indian Dominions and for the reward of important and useful services rendered to the Indian Empire. It was enlarged in 1886, again in 1887, on the occasion of the first Jubilee, and again in 1911, and now consists of the Sovereign, a Grand Master (Viceroy for the time being). Knights Grand Cominanders (not exceeding 40), Knights Commanders (not exceeding 120), and Comx^anions (nominations not to exceed io in any successive year) ; persons who by their services, official or other, to the Empire in India, and such distinguished repre- sentatives of Eastern Potentates as His Majesty may think fit and eligible for appointment. The Councillors for and in the Indian Empire are ex officio and for lifejComf)anions of the Order. Order of Merit. — Instituted by King Edward ■on his Coronation, 1902, and consisting of one class ■ of members, subjects of the Crown, who have rendered exceptionally meritorious service in the Navy and Army or towards the advance- ment of Art, Literatm'e, and Science, the number not to exceed twenty-four. MosT^DiSTiNGtnsHED Order or St. Michael AND St. George. — This Order was established by letters patent in 1818, and enlarged in 1832 and 1839 for the purpose of affording an appro- priate medium by which marks of royal favour might be conferred upon the natives of Malta and the Ionian Islands, as well as ujson British subjects whose services may be comiected with these dependencies of the Crown. It consists of three classes — Knights Grand Cross, Knights Commander, and Companions (substituted for Cavalieri in 1851). In 1869 the Queen was pleased to sanction such a modification of the statutes of this Order, and such an enlargement of its numbers as to render it available as a reward for distinguished merit or service in any of the colonial possessions of the Empire. In 1879 and 1887 this Order of Knighthood was still fittther enlarged and new statutes issued, and the number of members is now not to exceed 100 G.C.M.G. ; 300 K.C.M.G. ; and 600 C.M.G., inclusive of those assignable for foreign services, and honorarj' members, consisting of foreign princes, &c. Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick. — This fraternity of Knights was instituted in 1783 as a national Order for Ireland, correspond- ing to the Thistle in Scotland and the Garter in England. The Lord-Lieutonant, Lords deputy, or Lords justices were appointed ex o/Jicio Grand Masters, and the Order consists of twenty-two Knights, in addition to which all persons who have held the office of Lord-Lieutenant are authorized to retain the insignia of the Order after they have retired from the government of Ireland. Most Exalted Order of the Star of India. —This Order was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1861, and enlarged in 1866, 1876, and 1911 for the express pm-pose of rendering high honour to conspicuous loyalty and merit in tiie princes, chiefs and people of her Indian Empire. The Order consists of the Sovereign, a Grand Master (the Viceroy of India), forty-four Knights Grand Commanders ; one hundred Knights Command- ers, and two hundred Companions, exclusive of extra and honorary members. Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle. — Authorities are divided as to the period to which the origin of this Order may be traced ; some going as far back as Achaius, King of the Scots, and others dating its establish- ment from a warrant issued by James VII of Scotland and II of England in 1687. The number of Knights is sixteen. Privy Counsellor. — The Privy Council in- cludes the responsible ministers of the Crown, a few of the judges, some diplomatists, and many peers and commoners distinguished in the pviblic service. In number it is unlimited. Under its authority many acts are done, but the measures ■which pass under its name chiefly proceed from its own sub-committees — the Cabinet, the Judicial Committee, the Board of Trade, &c. Privy Counsellors enjoy the title of Right Honourable, and are ex officio entitled to become magistrates in every county without being required to possess landed qualification. They also possess the privilege of the entree at drawing rooms, levees, state balls, &c. RoYAi, Victorian Order. — This was created in 1896, for bestowal by the Sovereign upon those subjects whose personal services it might be desired to recognize, and any foreign princes and persons upon whom the Sovereign may think fit to confer it. It consists of five classes — Knights Grand Cross, Knights Commander, Commanders, and members of the fourth and fifth classes, who take precedence as indicated on pages 21 and 22. The Royal V^ictorian Chain is a decoration founded by King Edward VII in 1902, to be bestowed on special occasions. Viscount. — This is the most modern of all the ranks in the Peerage. It was introduced into England in 1440, and has always been conferred by letters patent. The word vice-comes had long been used to designate the sheriff of a comity, and the French modification of that term, viscount, was adopted when a titular dignity was created, to which, however, no shadow of official trust was assigned. It has never been largely conferred, and as a chief title docs not at present constitute one-twentieth of the English peerage ; in Ireland, however, it bears a much larger proportion to the whole body, being about one-fifth.