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The National Cathedral and Collegiate Church of 

Saint Patrick v Dublin (Ireland)

Ard-Eaglais Naomh Pádraig 

 

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18th Century ~ The Knights of Saint Patrick

 

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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   ~   ~   ~

 

 

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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Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Saint Patrick's Close, Dublin 8, Ireland

 

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