Order of St Patrick

Order of St Patrick. It is a British order of chivalry associated with Ireland, founded in 1783 by George III following the constitutional changes of the Constitution of 1782. The order was intended to reward loyalty and service among the Anglo-Irish aristocracy and was the counterpart in Ireland to the Order of the Garter in England and the Order of the Thistle in Scotland. Its last regular appointment was made in 1922, and it has been dormant since the death of its last knight in 1974, though it has never been formally abolished.

History

The establishment of the order was a political act by the British Crown, closely tied to the creation of the Kingdom of Ireland and the newly independent Parliament of Ireland under Henry Grattan. The first installation ceremony took place in 1783 at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, which was designated as the order's chapel. Key early members included the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and prominent figures like James Caulfeild, 1st Earl of Charlemont. The order's activities were closely linked to Dublin Castle, the seat of British administration in Ireland. Following the Acts of Union 1800, which dissolved the Irish parliament, the order's significance as a national institution waned, though appointments continued. The last Lord Lieutenant, Edmund Bernard FitzAlan-Howard, 1st Viscount FitzAlan of Derwent, was appointed in 1922. The order became dormant after 1936, with the death of the last surviving knight, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, occurring in 1974.

Insignia and vestments

The insignia is rich in symbolism, incorporating the national colour and emblem of Ireland. The primary badge is a gold and enamel star featuring a saltire (St Patrick's Cross) of red enamel, charged with a green shamrock on each arm, and encircled by the motto "Quis separabit?" and the date "MDCCLXXXIII". The collar, worn on ceremonial occasions, is made of gold and consists of alternating harps and red-enamelled roses, each rose surrounded by a white enamel band bearing the motto. The mantle was originally of sky-blue satin, lined with white silk, and bound with a blue and gold cord. The hat was of black velvet, plumed with white ostrich and black heron feathers. The design and manufacture of these items were historically overseen by crown jewelers like Rundell, Bridge & Rundell.

Chapel and stall plates

The original chapel of the order was St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, where each knight was allotted a stall above which his helm, crest, and sword were placed. Each knight was also required to install a stall plate, an engraved piece of brass displaying his coat of arms, affixed to the back of his choir stall. These plates provide a valuable heraldic record of the membership. Following the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the establishment of the Irish Free State, the regalia and many of the stall plates were removed for safekeeping to St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The remaining stall plates are still displayed in St Patrick's Cathedral, which continues its own independent existence as the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland.

Membership and officers

Membership was originally limited to the sovereign, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and fifteen knights, though this was later expanded to twenty-two. All knights had to be knights and gentlemen of the Protestant faith. The senior officer was the Lord Lieutenant, who served as the sovereign's representative. Other officers included the Dean of St. Patrick's, the Ulster King of Arms (the chief herald of Ireland), the Registrar, and the Usher, known as the Black Rod. Famous knights have included Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, Prince Albert, Prince Consort, and Edward VII. The last living knight was a member of the British royal family.

Precedence and privileges

Within the British honours system, the order historically held a high precedence, ranking immediately after the Order of the Thistle and before the Order of the Bath. Knights were entitled to the prefix "Sir" and the post-nominal letters "KP". They also had the right to be granted supporters to their coat of arms, a privilege typically reserved for peers and members of the highest orders of chivalry. In official processions and at coronations, knights of the order took their place according to this established precedence.

Related orders and honours

The Order of St Patrick was one of several national orders created by the British Crown, forming a triad with the Order of the Garter (England) and the Order of the Thistle (Scotland). With Irish independence, new national honours were created, most notably the Military Medal for Gallantry and, later, the Aer Lingus Gold Medal. The modern Irish state's premier award is the Order of St. Patrick (decoration), established in 1937, which is a presidential award unrelated to the original chivalric order. Other related British honours include the Order of the British Empire and the Order of the Companions of Honour.