The Order of Saint Joachim

As our members know, Sir Levett Hanson GCJ (1754-1814) was our Order's Grand Vice Chancellor from 1800 to his death. A brief biography can be read here: http://www.stjoachimorder.org/hanson.htm.

One of the constant complaints by the Order's detractors is Hanson's use of the honourific prefix "Sir", which often appears in quotes when used by critics. As the Order's website explains, in 1780 Hanson became Councillor to the Prince of Limbourg, the Duke of Holstein, at Ghent, and was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Duke's Order of St. Philip.

Recently I came across another document regarding his knighthood - this time from an unimpeachable source.

From 1784-1819 Francis Townsend, Esq., FSA, was the English College of Arms' Windsor Herald. In 1828, while apparently still with the College, he published the "Calendar of Knights", listing all knighthoods recorded in the English College of Arms' records. In the addenda, Sir Levet(t) Hanson is recorded as having on deposit with the English College of Arms his "diploma" (document conferring knighthood) for the Order of St. Philip in 1782. Also listed (without date) is "St Joachim".

Note that he is referred to as "Sir", without qualification by the former Windsor Herald of Arms, and without the derisive quotation marks.

Attached are copies of the relevant pages. The full text of the book by Townsend can be downloaded as a PDF (3.8MB) here: http://books.google.com/books/pdf/Calen ... Afq5yE2ExQ

In reviewing the book in more detail, the following was noted in 1828 by Townsend about the Order of Saint Joachim's recognition as an order of knighthood. Townsend was writing at the time from the English College of Arms, evidenced by his signature at the end of the Preface:

31 May 1828
College of Arms

Page XXV is reproduced below:

Good day Grand Master.

As my boss says, facts are hard to argue over and cold hard backs in writing are even harder.

This information, is extremely important.

Faithfully,

Arjeh