Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/195

Rh title of 'Excellency,' are next in rank to Field-Marshals and Admirals, and receive the military honours due to a LieutenantGeneral. This degree is considered as a special royal favour.

The Knights of the Grand Cross form the second class. Their rank is that of a Major-General. All those who were in possession of the Order, at the time of its reorganization, were placed in the second class.

The Knights of the third class, the Commanders, have no real rank, but receive the honours due to an officer of the staff, while those of the fourth class receive the honours due to a subaltern officer.

The badge (Plate 25, Tab. II. No. 9) is an oblong golden cross, enamelled white, with red edges, above which is seen the initial of the King under the royal crown, which latter is also found in each of the angles of the cross. The centre of the front contains a crowned ' W' (Waldemar), and upon the four wings of the cross are distributed the words 'Gud og Kongen' (God and the King). The reverse contains the supposed years of the foundation, renewal and reorganization of the Order, 1219, 1671, 1808. The ribbon, by which it is suspended, is white with red stripes at the borders.

The Grand Commanders wear the cross, without the inscription, but with the addition of diamonds (Tab H. Fig. 8) round the neck; and the star (Tab. I. No. 4.) upon the left breast.

The Knights of the Grand Cross wear it (Tab. II. No 9) suspended by a broader ribbon across the right shoulder, towards the left hip, in addition to the star, peculiar to the class, which is worn upon the left breast. Clergymen, or Knights of the 'Order of the Elephant' wear the cross round the neck.

The Commanders wear it likewise (Tab. II. No. 9) round the neck, in addition to an embroidered cross (Tab. I. No. 5.) upon