The Most Honourable Order of the Bath was established by King George I in 1725 although it is believed to originally date back as far as the eighth century. It is awarded to members of the military or civil service for exemplary service. It is thought that the Order is so named because bathing was seen as a purification ritual. The Order consists of the Sovereign, the Great Master (the post is currently vacant but was previously held by the Prince of Wales) and three Classes of members: