The Ordre Militaire de Lion Bleu de l'Etelnie is the military order of Aethelnia. It was instituted in by William I after the war of independence. It is conferred to members of the military for acts of exceptional bravery and loyalty, not necessarily having occurred during times of war. HRM the king, in his capacity as supreme commander of the royal Aethelnian armed forces, is the sovereign of the order. Members of the order convene once per year at Saint Thomas' Palace. The order exists of 5 classes, in order of highest-lowest importance: 1) grand-croix, 2) grand-officier, 3) commandeur, 4) officier and last 5) chevalier. The Etoile (=star) is part of the 1st and 2nd class.