Welsh Orders and Honours (Welsh History Post Glyndwr)

There are in Wales many different Royal and Military Orders and Honours available for the State to use to reward both Welsh citizens and foreigners.

At the direction of the Chancellor and the discretion of the monarch, there are three Royal Chivalric Orders and other Distinguished Orders. There are also several military decorations for the rewarding of members of the Armed Forces above and beyond campaign medals.

Royal Orders[]

The three Royal Orders are, in order of precedence;

The Ancient and Royal Order of the Golden Dragon - Established in 1553
The Illustrious and Royal Order of St David - Established in 1690
The Honourable and Royal Order of St Tewdrig - Established in 1835
The Most Righteous Order of St David 1720-1796. This was an Anglo-Scottish order awarded during the period of the English Occupation during which time the two Welsh Orders were banned.

Y Gorchymyn Hynafol a Brenhinol y Ddraig Euraidd - The Ancient and Royal Order of the Golden Dragon[]

The Order was first founded by King Rhodri in 1553 as a direct counterpart to the English Order of the Garter. Rhodri felt that with the separation of the English from the Roman Catholic faith that a new order of chivalry was required in the British Isles and instituted this order. Modelled on the Garter Order, this order existed until the conquest of Wales in 1719 by the English who suppressed this order. It was re-established in 1856 by King Rhisiart III.

It is the highest award which can be given in the Kingdom of Wales and it remains completely within the purview of the monarch who can award at his or her discretion. It can be awarded to both civilians and military according to their merits.

Its motto is "resurgere a malignis" translated as "to rise from adversity". Its chapel is held within the walls of Llandaff Cathedral.

Y Gorchymyn yn Enwog a Brenhinol Dewi Sant - The Illustrious and Royal Order of St David[]

This order was the second Welsh chivalric order to be established and was first instituted by King Hywel IV in 1690 to complement the existing Order of the Golden Dragon.

The Order can be conferred for outstanding achievements in the fields of education, science, sport, culture, art, economics, defense of the country, social work, civil service, or for furthering good relations between countries. It can be awarded to both civilians and soldiers, as well as to foreigners.

Its motto is "Gloria enim Dei Sancti Davidus" translated as "For the Glory of God and St David". Its chapel is held within the walls of St Davids Cathedral

Y Gorchymyn Anrhydeddus a Brenhinol Tewdrig Sant - The Honourable NS Royal Order of St Tewdrig[]

This order was first instituted in 1835 by King Cystenin. It was intended as a reward for service to the monarchy and is usually awarded to anyone who serves the monarch at the Royal Court. It is also awarded to senior diplomats and politicians upon retirement. It can be awarded to both civilians and members of the Armed Forces. It is only awarded to foreigners however in exceptional circumstances (one such recipient being the American Ambassador to Wales in the early 1950's)

Its motto is "ad honorem servire" which is translated as "to serve with honour". Its chapel is the Shrine of St Tewdrig in Mathern.

The Most Righteous Order of St David[]

The order was instituted by the Anglo-Scottish Crown in 1720 as an order to reward both noblemen involved in the Welsh conquest and as a way to bind the remaining senior Welsh nobility to the new regime. It lasted from 1720 until 1796 when it became defunct with the Welsh Restoration.

Its chapel was in the welsh Church of St David in London.

Its motto was "for the glory of the Crown"

Royal Distinguished Orders[]

These are awards outside the purview of the monarch and are nominated by the Chancellor and appointed at the monarchs discretion

In order of seniority they are

Royal Order of Rhisiart - Established 1801
Royal Welsh Order of Merit - Established 1865
Royal Order of Cystennin - Established 1868
Royal Welsh Order of the African Star Established 1902
Imperial Order of the Empire - Established 1910

Gorchymyn Frenhinol Rhisiart - Royal Order of Rhisiart[]

Order of Rhisiart (2) — The Badge of the Royal Order of Rhisiart

This is a military order awarded for "distinguished service, sacrifice, and courage in actions against terrorism in the country or during foreign deployments of the Welsh Armed Forces. Inaugurated by King Arthur it was designed at first to reward the veterans of the War of Independence and has as its monogram the triple "R" representing Kings Rhisiart I and II. The Order works in conjunction with the Pendragon Star. Holders of that award are automatically entered into this Order although you do not have to hold the Star in order to be entered into the Order.

Its motto is "liberatores Wallia oriuntur" translated as "liberators of Wales arise"

Gorchymyn Frenhinol Cymru Teilyngdod - Royal Welsh Order of Merit[]

This was another Order instituted by Rhisiart III. It is awarded to foreigners, Welsh citizens living abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs diplomats, foreign civil servants in Wales, and Wales' honorary consuls for "outstanding service in the interests of Wales. It is a purely civilian award.

Its motto is "meritis omnia" translated as "for merit to all"

Gorchymyn Frenhiniol Cystennin - Royal Welsh Order of Cystennin[]

Sometimes called the Constantinian Order, this order was instituted by Rhisiart III in memory of his father, King Cystennin. It is designed to reward those who have had distinguished service in science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. It can be awarded to both Welsh citizens (regardless of their military or civilian status) and to foreigners.

Its motto is "via illuminaverit" translated as "to light the way"

Gorchymyn Brenhinol Cymreig y Seren Affricanaidd - Royal Welsh Order of the African Star[]

The Order of the African Star was introduced by Rhisiart IV in 1902 as a new order of knighthood to honour African Princes and Chiefs, as well as Welsh officers and administrators who served in Welsh West Africa. It was disbanded in the 1960's with the ending of the Welsh Empire in Africa.

Its motto was "seren i gynnau'r tywyllwch" translated as "a star to light the darkness"

Ymerodraidd Gorchymyn o Ymerodraeth - Imperial Order of the Empire[]

The Imperial Order of the Empire was introduced by Iorwerth in 1910 as a general Imperial Order to reward people throughout the Welsh Empire. With the demise of the RWOAS in the 1960's many thought that this order would also be removed. Under Arthur II however this order was revived as an order rewarding people for service to the Welsh State.

Its motto is "i ymdrechu tuag at y dyfodol" translated as "to strive towards the future"

Decorations[]

These are military decorations awarded by the state. In order of precedence they are

Complete name	Post-nominal letters	Award Level	Established	Founder	Awarded to/for	Notes
Seren Penddraig (Pendragon Star)	SP	1	16 Sept 1856	King Rhisiart III	Welsh Kingdom Military personnel for "...most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy"	Holders of the Seren Penddraig are automatically entered into the Gorchymyn Frenhinol Rhisiart (Royal Order of Rhisiart)
Croes Dewrder Brenhinoedd (Kings Gallantry Cross)	CDB	2	20 July 1895	King Rhisiart IV	Welsh military personnel for "...in recognition of an act or acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy"	The award can be awarded to Army, Navy and Air Force personnel regardless of theatre of action.
Gorchymyn Gwasanaeth Nodedig (Distinguished Service Order)	GGN	2	24 Sep 1918	King Iorwerth	Welsh military personnel for "...distinguished services during active operations against the enemy"	This order is only available to officers.
Gorchymyn y Groes Goch Gymreig (The Order of the Welsh Red Cross)	GGG	2	25 Dec 1915	King Iorwerth	Welsh nursing personnel for "...exceptional services in military nursing"	Originally only available to military nurses, this order is now awarded to both civilian and military medical staff operating in war zones
Rhyfel Croes / The War Cross	RC	3	1 Mar 1920	King Iago	Welsh military personnel for "...extraordinary brave actions or extraordinary leadership during combat during active operations where the award of the NDG or the CDB is not appropriate"	This award can only be awarded during a time of conflict where Wales is an active belligerent and can be awarded to Army, Navy and Air Force personnel regardless of theatre of action
Milwrol Croes (Military Cross)	MC	3	18 Aug 1863	King Rhisiart III	Welsh forces personnel for "...extraordinary brave actions or extraordinary leadership" and where service personnel "distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service on land"	The award has Army, Navy and Air Force variants and can be awarded for actions on land.
Gwasanaeth Nodedig Croes (Distinguished Service Cross)	GNC	3	18 Aug 1863	King Rhisiart III	Welsh forces for "...an act or acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea"	The award has Army, Navy and Air Force variants and can be awarded for actions at sea
Groes Llu Awyr (Air Force Cross)	GLA	3	23 April 1925	King Iago	Welsh forces in the air for "...gallantry during active operations against the enemy."	The award can be awarded to any of the air arms.
Bathodyn Llu Awyr (Air Force Medal)	BLA	3	10 Feb 1965	King Arthur II	Welsh air force personnel for "...gallantry while flying but not on active operations against the enemy."	The award can be awarded to any of the air arms.

Seren Penddraig - The Pendragon Star[]

The Pendragon Star was created as the Welsh equivalent to the British Victoria Cross and as such is awarded under the same criteria as the British version. It was created by Rhisiart III in late 1856. It is awarded for "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy". Holders are entitled to use the letters "SP" after their names

Croes Dewrder Brenhinoedd - The Kings Gallantry Cross[]

This is a second tier award available across the Welsh Services. First awarded by Rhisiart IV, it may be awarded posthumously, and is awarded "in recognition of an act or acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy". Until the 1990's this was an award only eligible to officers. Since 1991 this award is now issued regardless of rank. Holders are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "CDB".

Gorchymyn Gwasanaeth Nodedig - Distinguished Service Order[]

The order was established by King Iorwerth for rewarding individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. It was a military order, originally for officers only, and normally given for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy. The order is generally given to officers in command above the rank of captain. Holders are inducted into the Ymerodraidd Gorchymyn o Ymerodraeth (Imperial Order of the Empire) and have the post-nominal letters "GGN"

Gorchymyn y Groes Goch Gymreig - The Order of the Welsh Red Cross[]

This order was instituted by King Iorwerth during the European War 1914-18. Although Wales was officially neutral for the conflict the Welsh Red Cross, in concert with other Red Cross organisations world wide, sent medical staff to treat the wounded. The award was originally only for nurses from the military branches who served with the Red Cross, but during the Great War of 1939-45, the award was extended to all medical personnel regardless of if military or civilian and was awarded to those showing exceptional services in military nursing. Those given the award are entitled to use the letters GGG after their name.

Rhyfel Croes - The War Cross[]

This award was created by King Iago to reward servicemen who fought in the Greco-Turkish War, this third level award can only be awarded during a time of conflict where Wales is an active belligerent (all other awards can be awarded during "peaceful operations" e.g: NATO or UN deployments). It is awarded for "extraordinary brave actions or extraordinary leadership" during combat during active operations where the award of the CDB or the GGN is not appropriate. There is only one version of this award regardless of the recipients service. Holders are entitled to the post-nominal "RC". The last time this was awarded was during the Vietnam War.

Milwrol Croes -The Military Cross[]

First instituted by Rhisiart III this award was originally awarded to members of the Army and is a third level award. It is awarded to service personnel for "extraordinary brave actions or extraordinary leadership" and where service personnel "distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service". Holders of this award are entitled to the post-nominal letters "MC".

Gwasanaeth Nodedig Croes - The Distinguished Service Cross[]

First instituted by Rhisiart III this award rewards "gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea". Originally it was awarded to those in the Navy and called the Groes Gwasanaethau Llyngeso (Naval Service Cross). It was changed to the Gwasanaeth Nodedig Croes during the Great War. This award has always been open to all ranks and similarly to the CDB can be awarded to any service personnel from the three services. This is a third level award. Holders are entitled to the post-nominals "GNC".