Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/269

Rh The Knights wear besides, the Cross of the Guelphic Order round the neck, saltire-ways. The members must possess the rank of at least Licutenant-general; they are allowed to jom the insignia to their family crest on seals or otherwise.

THE GUELPHIC ORDER.

King George 1V. founded this Order, when Prince Regent of England, in the name of his father George III., on the 12th August, 1815, his birthday, being also the anniversary (101 years), of the accession to the English throne of the Elector, George Louis.

The statutes were revised and modified on the 20th May, 1841; according to these, the dignity and power of the Grand Master is always vested in the Crown of Hanover, and the Order is now divided into four Classes:

1. Knights Grand Cross.

2. Commanders, first and second classes.

3. Knights.

4. Simple Members.

There is, besides, another class of sub-officers and privates who have distinguished themselves in the field by skill and valour, and on whom is conferred a medal. The possession of the medal entitles the owner to a pension of twenty-four thalers (72s). The number of the members is unlimited.

The Grand Cross is conferred on those high military officers who have distinguished themselves by their skill and judgment, when the plan and execution of an expedition has been left to their own discretion and responsibility. It is usually not conferred upon any one below the rank of Lieutenant-general, except in some peculiar cases, when an Ambassador has merited