Chivalric orders derive from military orders first established in the 12th century. Military orders were initially created by knights as a semi-fraternal organization when they went on crusade. Upon their arrival in the Holy Land (or elsewhere), the order would provide the infrastructure for knights to do battle against the enemy. Note that this is an extremely broad description and many orders were founded with a wide variety of functions.

As the Crusades wore down, several monarchs saw the advantage of recreating a secularized version of the military orders: these are the chivalric orders. Chivalric orders were an opportunity for advancement. Often awarded to the most powerful men of the realm, they were instantaneously prestigious by virtue of close contact with the King. This, however, was a two-way street. Knights were required to take an oath of allegiance to the Grand Master of the order who was, invariably, the King, thereby securing their allegiance.

As time passed, chivalric orders became intrinsically linked with the power of the state. Beginning in the early 18th century, Great Britain began to award the Order of the Bath as a token of political patronage. By the early 19th century, chivalric orders had exploded into a multi-tiered honours system that rewarded political patronage, military prowess, civil achievements, diplomatic service and loyalty to the Crown. Rewards for personal merit remained rare and were often tied to nobiliary rights, such as a grant of arms, rather than membership in a chivalric order. After the First World War, the need to reward Britons across the world resulted in the establishment of the Order of the British Empire. This order was composed of five classes:

• Knights Grand Cross/Dames Grand Cross

• Knights Commander/Dames Commander

• Commanders

• Officers

• Members

Only the first two ranks automatically ennobled their recipients with a title of knighthood. Chivalric orders have therefore become debased over time as personal achievement in a democratic society took precedence over allegiance to the Sovereign.

Traditionally, many of the chivalric orders had a strong religious component. Knights of the Bath were so-named because they were required to spend the night before their initiation in deep prayer and ritual bathing. The ritual was eventually suspended by Victoria before being revived in a much watered down form by George V, who apparently much enjoyed the ceremonial aspect. Similar practices were common in other countries.

There was no secrecy surrounding an order of chivalry. In the United Kingdom, France and Germany, these awards were gazetted, i.e. noted by the government in a weekly paper of official announcements. Awards continue to be a highly ceremonial affair today.