2016/10/01 by Andrew Hanham · 2 citations
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Arts and Humanities · #Historical Economic and Social Studies #Scottish History and National Identity #Chivalry #Parliament #Politics #Order (exchange) #Law #Popularity #Power (physics) #Foundation (evidence) #Value (mathematics) #Sociology #History #Classics #Ancient history #Political science
paper · doi:10.1111/1750-0206.12236
published in Parliamentary History 35(3), 262-297 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2016/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
This article explores the complex circumstances surrounding the foundation of the order of the Bath in 1725, and seeks to correct the commonly‐held view that it was initiated by Walpole simply to augment the patronage available to his supporters in parliament. The proposal for a new order of chivalry based on the medieval ‘knighthood of the bath’ in fact emanated from the court, having been prompted by one of its central figures, the duke of Montagu. Walpole and his colleagues were by no means oblivious to the practical political value of such a move, but having only lately consolidated their position at court, their main priority was to seize a unique opportunity to flatter the new royal dynasty and garner popularity for it through the medium of the order's rediscovered history. The ministers selected the order's 36 founder‐knights with considerable input from senior courtiers, but ensured that those nominated were mostly peers and MPs who could evince ministerially useful connections between court and parliament. Though the order was later derided as a symptom of Walpoleian corruption, its foundation can be regarded as something of a turning point in Walpole's rise to power.