06-16-2008, 04:14 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 Most Distinguished Order of the Rose:
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 Chaplain of the Order shall be a worthy and distinguished clergyman of the Church of Hanover, nominated by the Primate of Hanover, and shall preside at all religious rites and ceremonies connected with the Order.
4. The Rose 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. There shall be five degrees of membership within the Order, namely, Knight or Lady Grand Cross, Knight or Lady Commander, Commander, Lieutenant, and Member.6. The Sovereign may induct any of his subjects, being in good standing under the law, and having served the Kingdom and the people of Hanover with distinction, as a member of the Order in any degree. However, no person shall hold knightly rank unless he has served the Kingdom for at least six months, and has previously held a lower rank within the Order.
7. The Sovereign may furthermore induct any foreign person or dignitary who has served him or the Kingdom with distinction, either in a diplomatic capacity or otherwise, as an honourary member of the Order in any degree except Knight or Lady Grand Cross. Honourary members shall be enumerated together with ordinary members, and shall be accorded equal dignity.
Part III. Privileges and Insignia
8. Knights or Ladies Grand Cross and Knights or Ladies Commanders shall enjoy knightly rank, and the style of Sir or Lady, and shall be distinguished by the post-nominal letters G.C.R, and K.C.R. or L.C.R., as may be appropriate.9. The Commanders, Lieutenants, and Members of the Order shall be distinguished by the post-nominal letters C.R., L.R., and M.R., as may be appropriate, but shall not enjoy knightly rank.
10. The Badge of the Order shall comprise a rose rendered in silver, surrounded on a green circlet by the motto In Servitudinem Hanoverae. However, the Badge worn by Knights and Ladies Grand Cross, and by Knights and Ladies Commanders, shall be instead rendered in gold.
11. Knights and Ladies Grand Cross, and Knights and Ladies Commanders, shall be entitled to wear the Badge suspended from a dark green riband around their necks. The riband of a Knight or Lady Grand Cross shall bear a white stripe in the centre.
12. Commanders, Lieutenants, and Members shall be entitled to wear the Badge suspended from a dark green riband upon their chests, which may for ladies be worn in the form of a bow. The riband of a Lieutenant shall bear a white stripe in the centre, and that of a Commander two white stripes.
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
