Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is the third-highest order of chivalry in the British honours system. It is primarily awarded to serving member of the armed forces, and to some civilian servants.In addition to the British Sovereign and the Great Master of the Order (as of 2003 the Prince of Wales), the order includes three classes of knights and dames (with post-nominals in parentheses)
- Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)
- Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB/DCB)
- Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
While the term "Knight of the Bath" goes back into medieval times, referring to a ritual of washing followed by a night of prayer, the order was formally established by King George I on 18 May 1725.
