KNIGHTS OF THE BATH, a military order in England, supposed to have been instituted by Richard II. who limited their number to four; however, his successor Henry IV. increased them to 46. Their motto was Tres in uno, signifying the three theological virtues.
This order received its denomination from a custom of bathing before they received the golden spur. It is seldom conferred but at the coronation of kings, or the inauguration of a prince of Wales, or duke of York. They wear a red ribband beltwise.—The order of the Bath, after remaining many years extinct, was revived under George I. by a solemn creation of a great number of knights.