Bath, Order of the

British order of knighthood (see knighthood, orders of), believed to have been founded in 1399 by Henry IV. The order now consists of three classes: Knights of the Grand Cross (GCB), Knights Commanders (KCB), and Knights Companions (CB).

The dean of Westminster is dean of the order, which uses King Henry VII's chapel in Westminster Abbey, London, as its chapel. Each of the classes is subdivided into military, civil, and honorary members. The ribbon of the order is crimson and the badge a gold-white cross (military) or gold oval (civil); the motto is Tria juncta in uno (‘Three joined as one’). The first two classes also wear a star.