Free SHIPPING!!! King George III (1738-1820) Founder of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George This high decoration was awarded to residents of Malta and the Ionian Islands. It was also intended for Englishmen who held high positions of trust there or who served in the Mediterranean region (including Gibraltar). The Order of Saint Michael and Saint George was also awarded to foreigners for services to the Sovereign of Malta. There are three classes of this order. For subjects of the British crown, the award of the first two classes is linked to admission to knighthood. In 1800, Great Britain conquered the strategically important island of Malta, which had been captured by Napoleon in 1798. The Peace of Paris of 1814 placed the island under the sovereignty of Great Britain. George III had been King of Great Britain since 1760. He was the first king from the House of Hanover who felt completely English. His conservative attitude contributed significantly to the apostasy of the American colonies. The order's insignia is enameled white. It consists of a seven-armed, fourteen-pointed, golden cross. The order's cross is surmounted by a golden royal crown. The medallion bears a blue ring with the golden motto "AUSPICIUM MELIORIS AEVI" (promise of a better time). The front shows St. Michael in a gold-decorated, white, Roman armor. You will receive this order as a true-to-original collector's item. GODE FASCINATION OF COLLECTING Item no. 320-101-1 Careful Packing and Shipping from JMEDALS -Lithuania Good luck!