Item number: M67

Year: AD 1850-1870

Material: Gold and Enamel

Size: case 82.21 x 132 / order 51.57 x 51.57 / ribbon 70.94 x 38.29 mm

Weight: case 84.66 / order 44.5 g

Provenance: Liverpool Medals 2022

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George was established in AD 1818 by the Prince Regent, later King George IV, in the name of King George III. The primary purpose was to commemorate Britain’s protection of the Ionian Islands and Malta, both of which came under British rule in AD 1814. Initially, the recipients of this order included the indigenous population of the Ionian Islands, residents of Malta and its dependencies, as well as individuals holding prominent governmental positions and engaging in covert missions in the Mediterranean region.

With the expansion of the British Empire in the late 19th century, the recipients of the Order experienced a gradual broadening, encompassing individuals who made outstanding contributions in dominions, colonies, and diplomatic affairs. This Order primarily bestowed honors upon officials overseeing colonial affairs, diplomats, and individuals fulfilling significant responsibilities within the Commonwealth nations. Even non-natives had the opportunity to be admitted as “honorary members.” Such expansion positioned the British Order of Knighthood as a recognition of exceptional service and contributions across diverse domains, solidifying its significant historical standing.

The order is divided into three classes, supplemented by the British Sovereign serving as the Sovereign of the order, and a Grand Master appointed by the British Sovereign.

During that era, knights of the Order were rigorously mandated to return their insignia upon their demise or elevation to a higher class.

The order of St. Michael and St. George features a white “seven-armed” Maltese cross crafted from enamel, adorned with a golden border. The central medallion on the obverse depicts the archangel St. Michael triumphing over Satan, while the reverse side illustrates St. George engaged in battle atop a horse, confronting a dragon. Both outer circumferences bear inscriptions in blue, with gilt letters stating “Auspicium Melioris Aevi” (“Token of a Better Age”), serving as the motto of this order.

Above the order features a golden crown, connected to a suspension ring, swivel bar, and a gold brooch loop, constituting one of the distinctive elements of the Companion class of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.

The ribbon incorporates a deep blue base with a central red stripe. The ribbon’s width for the shown medal above is 38.29 mm, and excluding the order’s body, the length of the ribbon is 70.94 mm.

St. George is a legendary Christian saint who lived in 3rd-century Asia Minor. He is renowned for his courageous confrontation with a malevolent dragon.

According to legend, the city where St. George resided was besieged by a menacing dragon. In order to safeguard the city’s inhabitants, St. George stepped forward and engaged in a fierce battle with the dragon, ultimately succeeding in slaying the creature.

The tale of slaying the dragon is regarded as a symbol of combating evil and protecting the vulnerable, gradually assimilated into Christian religious narratives. In the medieval period, the legend of St. George spread throughout Europe, where he became a patron saint for knights and crusaders, and was also revered as a guardian in England.

St. George’s story significantly influenced English culture, as he emerged as the patron saint of England, with the red cross on the flag of England named after him. Each year, on April 23rd, commemorating St. George’s Day has become a national celebration in England, marked by various festivities honoring this courageous saint.

物件編號: M67

年代: 公元 1850-1870 年

材質: 黃金, 琺瑯

尺寸: 盒 82.21 x 132 / 勳章 51.57 x 51.57 / 綬帶 70.94 x 38.29 mm

重量: 盒 84.66 / 勳章 44.5 g

來源: 利物浦獎章 2022

最傑出的聖米迦勒和聖喬治勳章，於公元1818年由攝政王（後來的國王喬治四世）以國王喬治三世的名義創立，其初衷在於紀念英國對愛奧尼亞群島和馬耳他的保護，這兩地於公元1814年受英國統治。當初，該勳章的頒贈對象主要包括愛奧尼亞群島的原居民、馬爾他及其附屬地的居民，以及在地中海地區擔任政府高級官員和從事秘密任務的人士。 

隨著十九世紀末大英帝國的擴張，勳章的受贈對象逐漸擴大至在自治領、殖民地以及外交事務中做出卓越貢獻的人士。此勳章主要頒發給負責殖民地事務的官員、外交官，以及在英聯邦國家履行重要職責的人。非本國人也有機會被接納為「榮譽會員」。這樣的擴大使得英國騎士勳章成為一種表彰卓越服務和貢獻的榮譽，跨足不同領域，建立了其在歷史上的重要地位。 

該騎士團劃分為三個等級，此外還有作為騎士團領導者的英國君主，以及一位英國君主任命的大團長(Grand Master): 

在當時，該騎士團的騎士們被嚴格要求離世後、或者升至更高階級時，都必須歸還他們的勳章。

聖米迦勒和聖喬治勳章的外表以由琺瑯製成的白色「七臂」馬爾他十字為主體，且外側帶有金框，正面中央的圓盤描繪了大天使聖米迦勒踐踏撒旦的景象，另一側則描繪了聖喬治在馬上與巨龍的戰鬥，兩面的外圈銘文皆以藍色為底，刻有鍍金字母「Auspicium Melioris Aevi」（「更美好時代的象徵」），為該騎士團的訓言。  

勳章主體的上方為一頂金色皇冠，連接著懸掛環與螺旋桿，此為聖米迦勒和聖喬治勳章爵士級的特徵之一。 

此勳章的勳帶設計以深藍色為底，中央有一條紅色條紋。此枚勳章的勳帶寬度為38.29 mm，除去勳章本體，其長度為70.94 mm。 

聖喬治（St. George）是一位傳說中的基督教聖人，生活在3世紀的小亞細亞。他因勇敢面對惡龍而聞名。

據傳說，聖喬治所處的城市受到一隻威脅城市的惡龍困擾。為了保護城市的居民，聖喬治挺身而出，與惡龍激戰，最終成功斬殺了龍。

這個屠龍的故事被視為對抗邪惡、保護弱者的象徵，並漸漸被基督宗教吸收。在中世紀，聖喬治的傳說傳播到歐洲，成為騎士和十字軍的保護神，也被英格蘭視為守護者。

聖喬治的故事影響了英格蘭文化，他成為英格蘭的守護聖人，英格蘭國旗上的紅色十字即是以他的名字命名。每年的4月23日，英格蘭紀念聖喬治的日子也成為國慶日之一，人們以各種方式慶祝這位勇敢的聖人。