This robe is for a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. It is of crimson silk lined with white and has lacing on the left shoulder, below which the star of the order is worn. There are two tassels of crimson and gold.

The Order dates back to the medieval period when, as recorded in 1399, it featured a ritual bath that symbolised spiritual purification. The order fell into disuse after the reign of Charles II and was revived in 1725 as a military order. It was enlarged in 1815 with three classes of knights: Knights Grand Cross (GCB), Knights Commander (KCB) and Companions (CB). In 1847 a civil division of Knights Commander and Companion was introduced for distinguished civilians.

This robe belonged to Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell Carew (formerly Benjamin Hallowell) (1760–1834) who was in command of the ‘Swiftsure’ at the Battle of the Nile in August 1798. At the height of the battle, the French flagship ‘L’Orient’ exploded. Hallowell had part of the mainmast retrieved and made into a coffin, which he later sent to Nelson with this note (23 May 1799):

‘My lord, herewith I send you a coffin made of part of L’Orient’s mainmast, that when you are tired of this life you may be buried in one of your own trophies; but may that period be far distant is the sincere wish of your obedient and much obliged servant, Ben. Hallowell.’

He was made a KCB in 1815 and a GCB in 1831. In 1828, he succeeded to the estates of Carew and changed his surname, in accordance with his cousin’s will.

‘The dispatches and letters of Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson’, ed. N.H. Nicolas, 7 vols. (1844–6), vol. 3, p. 89