20

HISTORY OF THE

jRentcfoal or BegraOatton.

By the first Article of the Additional Statutes, it is provided, that “ to givegreater value and dignity to the Order, only such persons shall be admitted,who are of good descent and birth, entitled to Coat-Armour, and of irreproach-able conduct; and that if any Knight of the Order be guilty of a misdemeanour,the fact shall be brought to the knowledge of the Sovereign by the Chancellor,when His Majesty would determine whether the name of such Knight shall beerased from the List of Members, and his Arms removed from the Church ofthe Palace and Hall of the Knights at Hanover .” 7

iPrectOmcp.

The Order “ confers on those who have obtained it, not only Precedence beforethose of the same class of service who do not possess it, but invests them also,if not already Noble, with the personal rights of Nobility, and the privilege ofreception at Court annexed thereto ;” 8 but this distinction applies only toHanover and to Hanoverians; for the Knights have neither Precedency norrank in this country.

armorial Bistmctions.

The Additional Statutes point out in what manner the Knights are to placethe Insignia in their Arms ; 9 and Plates representing the various Shields wereannexed. The Shields of the Knights of each degree and class, are surroundedby a light blue circle, on which is placed the Motto, in letters of gold, within

7 Vide p. 10, antea.

8 Art. VII. p. 6, antea.

9 Vide p. 11, antea.