24

HISTORY OF THE

[OFFICERS.

confided of announcing appointments to the Order , 7 of communicating thecommands of the Sovereign, and of causing the Statutes to be observed . 8

It is obvious that the provision respecting these functionaries, referred to astate of affairs very different from the present; but it does not seem that theStatutes have been revised since the accession of King Ernest.

Of the duties of the King of Arms, Genealogist, or Registrar, nothing isknown ; but it may be presumed that their functions are similar to those of theOfficers bearing such designations in other Orders.

No Badge is worn by the Chancellor, who has, however, always been aKnight Grand Ci ■oss of the Order; and his Badge of Grand Cross, like thoseof the Princes of the Blood Royal, was originally made larger than that of theother Knights Grand Cross.

The Badge of the King of Arms, which is of gold, contains on both sidesthe Arms of Hanover, impaled with those of the Sovereign, surrounded by alight blue Circle, charged with the Motto of the Order in letters of gold, andsurmounted by the Hanoverian Crown.

It is presumed that no Badge was assigned to the Genealogist, or to theSecretary.

The Badge of the Registrar is of gold, enamelled with the Arms ofHanover; over which is a Book, the covers red, charged with the Star of theOrder in the proper colours, the whole surrounded by a light blue Circle withthe Motto of the Order in gold, and surmounted by the Hanoverian Crown.

These Badges are worn from the neck to a Ribband, similar to that of theKnights Commanders, with a gold clasp.

7 Art. XXI. p. 8, antea.

8 Art. XXVIII. p. 10, antea.