06-16-2008, 03:28 PM
Alexander R. & I.
Whereas it has been represented unto Us by the Most Reverend Vulstanius, by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Bergen, Our Lord High Steward, that it would be now expedient to correct, by means of good and new governing charters, the several flaws and misuses which have arisen in the divers Orders of Chivalry by which it has been Our pleasure to honour the praiseworthy achievements of Our loving subjects in service of Us and Our Realm of Hanover:
Know Ye Now that We, of Our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, and of Our Royal Prerogative in this respect by the Laws and Constitution of Our Realm, do by these Presents solemnly enact and institute the following Articles to be the governing charter of Our said Most Illustrious Order of the Act:
Part I. Officers
1. The King of Hanover shall in perpetuity hold the office of Sovereign of the Order, by right of which he may induct new members to the Order, degrade existing members, and appoint and dismiss the several Officers of the Order.2. The Chancellor of the Order shall serve as the advocate and representative of its members, and shall sit in the Great Council whenever it meets to advise the King on the conferral of honours and dignities.
3. The Primate of Hanover in the Church of Hanover shall by virtue of his office be the the Prelate of the Order, and thus shall preside at all religious rites and ceremonies of the Order.
4. The Ermine King of Arms shall be the herald of the Order, and shall prepare and register armorial bearings and depictions for the members of the Order.
Part II. Members
5. The Sovereign may induct any of his subjects, being in good standing under the law, and having served the Kingdom and her people with distinction for at least two years, as a Knight or Lady Companion of the Act. At no time shall there be more than ten Knights or Ladies Companion taken together in sum.6. The Sovereign may further induct Members of the Royal Family in any number as Royal Knights or Ladies of the Act, and foreign monarchs as Stranger Knights or Ladies of the Act. Those so inducted shall be enrolled together with the ordinary members of the Order, and considered of equal dignity.
7. No person may be inducted as a Member of the Order more than once, unless he was previously degraded from the said rank. Any Member may voluntarily relinquish his rank, but may not subsequently be inducted again.
Part III. Privileges and Insignia
8. All members of the Order shall enjoy knightly rank, and the style of Sir or Lady, and shall be distinguished by the post-nominal letters K.A. or L.A., as may be appropriate.9. All members and officers shall be entitled to wear the Badge of the Order, which shall comprise a gold cross engraved in the centre with the letter A, surrounded in a blue circlet by the motto Facta Clarior Verba Loquatur.
10. All members and officers shall be entitled to wear the Mantle of the Order, which shall be dark blue in colour, lined in white, and trimmed with gold. Upon the Mantle shall be embroidered the Badge of the Order.
11. The Sovereign of the Order and all members shall furthermore be entitled to wear the Badge suspended from a gold collar about their necks, and a Broad Riband of dark blue as a sash.
In Testimony Whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent, and the Great Seal of Our Kingdom of Hanover to be hereunto affixed, Witness Ourself at Our Court at St. George's this Seventeenth Day of June, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight, and in the Fourth Year of Our Reign.
PER IPSUM REGEM PROPRIA MANU SIGNAT
