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Since the Middle Ages, the Monarch of Great Britain has seen fit to Knight members of his or her realm with an Order of Chivalry. The current system is made up of ten orders of chivalry and most of these Orders have various classes. Not all of these Orders neccessarily confer a Knighthood. The current Orders are: The Most Noble Order of the Garter Established in 1348 by King Edward III The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle Established in 1687 by James I The Most Honourable Order of the Bath Established in 1725 by George I The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George Established in 1818 by George, Prince of Wales The Distinguished Service Order Established in 1886 by Queen Victoria The Royal Victorian Order Established in 1896 by Queen Victoria The Order of Merit Established in 1902 by King Edward VII The Imperial Service Order Established in 1902 by King Edward VII The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Established in 1917 by King George V The Order of the Companions of Honour Established in 1917 by King George V There were also a number of historic Orders which are no longer conferred: The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick (Founded in 1783 The last surviving knight, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, died in 1974.) The Royal Guelphic Order In the UK it was used only briefly until 1837 The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India (founded 1861) The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (founded 1878) The Imperial Order of the Crown of India (Founded 1878) Order of Burma created in May 1940 by King George VI There are of course still hereditary peers and a few other titles of Knighthood. The Baronetcy which is an hereditary honour carrying the title Sir. Also the Knights Bachelor descending from Medieval Orders of Chivalry Finally there is the Order of St John - a Royal Order of Chivalry (founded 1888) However the Officers are not afforded the title of Sir or Dame |