18th Century ~ The Knights of Saint Patrick
The Installation of Albert Prince of Wales as Knight of
the Most Illustrious Order of
St Patrick 18th April 1868 |
The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick was founded
by King George III in 1783 as an honour for the more influential peers in Ireland.
It was to be similar in structure to the Order of the Garter in England and the Scottish
Order of the Thistle. The Lord Lieutenant George Grenville Nugent Temple, later Marquis of
Buckingham was the first Grand Master and the Dean of St Patrick's was the Registrar. St
Patrick's Cathedral was the Chapel of the Order and the Great Hall in Dublin Castle, now
known as St Patrick's Hall, was the Chancery where Knights were normally installed and
where banquets were held on St Patrick's Day. The first installation took place in the
Cathedral on 17 March 1783. |
To qualify for membership
each Knight had to be a "gentleman of blood without reproach and
descended of three descents of noblesse". Each Knight had to send to
the cathedral his banner, a symbolic sword, a symbolic helmet and
crest and to arrange with the King of Arms to have a hatchment made
of his arms. These were to be placed on or above the stall in the
choir to which he was allotted, there to remain for his lifetime.
The present banners represent those of the knights in 1864 to which
were added those of the Prince of Wales (1868) and the Duke of
Connaught (1869).
The last great ceremony held in the St
Patrick's was in 1868 when the Prince of Wales was invested as a knight. At the
disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1871, the Order was secularised and the
association with St Patrick's Cathedral ceased.
~ ~ ~ Robes and Regalia ~
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The original statutes of the Order give details of
the robes to be worn by Knights. The mantle was of sky blue satin lined with white silk.
The hood was fastened by a cordon of blue silk and gold with two tassels. On the left of
the mantle was embroidered the star of the Order in silver. The hat was of black velvet
with three falls of ostrich feathers in red, blue and white. The boots were of white
leather and gilt spurs were worn. The belt and scabbard of the sword were of crimson
velvet. The hilt of the sword was gilt and the cross pieces were encrusted with precious
stones. The under habit, consisting of the tunic and breeches was of white silk laced with
gold.
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The collar was of gold
consisting of roses and harps tied together with knots of gold and
in the centre was a jewelled crown surmounting a harp of gold from
which hung the badge. This was also of gold with a cross of St
Patrick on a trefoil with a circle of sky-blue enamel and the
motto.
The regalia of the Grand Master was originally the
same as that of the other Knights but in 1831 William IV presented a new star and badge
made from Brazilian diamonds. The insignia of the Grand Master became known as the Irish
Crown Jewels. In July 1907 an important installation service was planned for St Patrick's
Cathedral when King Edward VII was on a visit to Dublin. Three new Knights were to be
installed but about two weeks before the occasion the Crown Jewels and five collar, one
with badge attached, were stolen from the safe in the Office of Public Arms in Dublin
Castle, causing the cancellation of the service. The jewels were never recovered.
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