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{{Youmay|the prestigious award|[[Order of Merlin (organisation)|the organisation founded by Merlin in the Middle Ages]]}}
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{{Youmay|the prestigious award|[[Order of Merlin (organisation)|the organisation founded by Merlin in the Middle Ages]]}}The '''Order of Merlin''' (abbreviated '''O.M.''') is an award bestowed upon [[Wizardkind|wizards and witches]] who have achieved great things for the [[wizarding world]]. It had three different award levels: First Class, Second Class, and Third Class. It is the wizarding world's equivalent to the Order of the [[Great Britain|British]] Empire with first class being the equivalent to the most senior order: a knighthood.
−
The '''Order of Merlin''' (abbreviated '''O.M.''') is an award bestowed upon [[Wizardkind|wizards and witches]] who have achieved great things for the [[wizarding world]]. It had three different award levels: First Class, Second Class, and Third Class. It is the wizarding world's equivalent to the Order of the British Empire with first class being the equivalent to the most senior order: a knighthood.
  
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
 
[[File:Merlin1.jpg|238x238px|thumb|[[Merlin]], the most famous wizard of his era, for whom the Order of Merlin award was named]]
  
[[File:Merlin1.jpg|238x238px|thumb|[[Merlin]], the most famous wizard of his era, for whom the Order of Merlin award was named]]
−
An organisation called the [[Order of Merlin (organisation)|Order of Merlin]] was founded by [[Merlin]] in the [[Middle Ages]].<ref name="merlinfwc">[[Chocolate Frog Card|Famous Wizard Card]] ([[Merlin]])</ref> Merlin believed that [[wizardkind|wizards and witches]] should help [[Non-magic people|Muggle]]s, and, thus, the Order of Merlin established rules against the use of [[magic]] on Muggles.<ref name="merlinfwc" />
 +
An organisation called the [[Order of Merlin (organisation)|Order of Merlin]] was founded by [[Merlin]] in the [[Middle Ages]].<ref name="merlinfwc">[[Chocolate Frog Card|Famous Wizard Card]] ([[Merlin]])</ref> Merlin believed that [[wizardkind|wizards and witches]] should help [[Non-magic people|Muggles]], and, thus, the Order of Merlin established rules against the use of [[magic]] on Muggles.<ref name="merlinfwc" />
   
−
The award known as the Order of Merlin was created in commemoration of Merlin and was first given out by the [[Wizengamot]] in the [[15th century]].<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin">{{PM|order-of-merlin}}</ref> It is unknown whether this award was connected to the earlier organisation of the same name.
 +
The award known as the Order of Merlin was created in commemoration of Merlin and was first given out by the [[Wizengamot]] in the [[15th century]].<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin">{{WW|order-of-merlin}}</ref> It is unknown whether this award was connected to the earlier organisation of the same name.
   
 
As often happens with such highly coveted awards, Ministry of Magic favourites seem to receive the Order of Merlin, especially the higher classes, more often than one might expect. Notable unworthy recipients are [[Cornelius Fudge]], who gave it to himself despite his less-than-distinguishable career, the fraudulent [[Gilderoy Lockhart]], the treacherous [[Peter Pettigrew]], and [[Arcturus Black III|Arcturus Black]], who was widely believed to have bought it by loaning the Ministry a large amount of gold.<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin"/>
  
As often happens with such highly coveted awards, Ministry of Magic favourites seem to receive the Order of Merlin, especially the higher classes, more often than one might expect. Notable unworthy recipients are [[Cornelius Fudge]], who gave it to himself despite his less-than-distinguishable career, the fraudulent [[Gilderoy Lockhart]], the treacherous [[Peter Pettigrew]], and [[Arcturus Black III|Arcturus Black]], who was widely believed to have bought it by loaning the Ministry a large amount of gold.<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin"/>
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There were three different classes of Order of Merlin that were awarded:
  
There were three different classes of Order of Merlin that were awarded:
−
* '''First Class''': Awarded for "acts of outstanding bravery or distinction" in magic. The colour of the ribbon for this class was green, which was believed to represent Merlin's [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] [[Hogwarts Houses|house]], [[Slytherin]].<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin" />
 +
*'''First Class''': Awarded for "acts of outstanding bravery or distinction" in magic. The colour of the ribbon for this class was green, which was believed to represent Merlin's [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] [[Hogwarts Houses|house]], [[Slytherin]].<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin" />
−
* '''Second Class''': Awarded for "achievement or endeavour beyond the ordinary." The colour of the ribbon for this class was purple.<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin" />
 +
*'''Second Class''': Awarded for "achievement or endeavour beyond the ordinary." The colour of the ribbon for this class was purple.<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin" />
−
* '''Third Class''': Awarded to individuals who "have made a contribution to our store of knowledge or entertainment." The colour of the ribbon for this class was white.<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin" />
 +
*'''Third Class''': Awarded to individuals who "have made a contribution to our store of knowledge or entertainment." The colour of the ribbon for this class was white.<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin" />
   
 
==Known recipients==
  
==Known recipients==
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| align="center" |Awarded for his defeat of the dark wizard [[Gellert Grindelwald]], effectively putting an end to the [[For the Greater Good Revolution|global wizarding war]]. During the [[Campaign to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter|campaign]] to discredit him, it was suggested by [[Remus Lupin]] that the Ministry would consider taking away the Order of Merlin from Dumbledore. Dumbledore claimed that he didn't care as long as he wasn't taken off of the [[Chocolate Frog Card]]s. However, when Dumbledore's credibility was restored, the Ministry's consideration to retract the medal was cancelled.
  
| align="center" |Awarded for his defeat of the dark wizard [[Gellert Grindelwald]], effectively putting an end to the [[For the Greater Good Revolution|global wizarding war]]. During the [[Campaign to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter|campaign]] to discredit him, it was suggested by [[Remus Lupin]] that the Ministry would consider taking away the Order of Merlin from Dumbledore. Dumbledore claimed that he didn't care as long as he wasn't taken off of the [[Chocolate Frog Card]]s. However, when Dumbledore's credibility was restored, the Ministry's consideration to retract the medal was cancelled.
 
|-
  
|-
−
| align="center" |[[File:INb P9CXong.jpg|85px]]
 +
| align="center" |[[File:Cornelius Fudge 2.jpg|85px]]
 
| align="center" |[[Cornelius Fudge]]
  
| align="center" |[[Cornelius Fudge]]
 
| align="center" |Between [[1990]] and [[1995]]<br />{{C|[[Cornelius Fudge|Minister Cornelius Fudge]]}}
  
| align="center" |Between [[1990]] and [[1995]]<br />{{C|[[Cornelius Fudge|Minister Cornelius Fudge]]}}
 
| align="center" |Presumably for his work as [[Minister for Magic]]; awarded by Fudge to himself, which caused controversy in the wizarding community.<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin" />
  
| align="center" |Presumably for his work as [[Minister for Magic]]; awarded by Fudge to himself, which caused controversy in the wizarding community.<ref name="pottermore-ordermerlin" />
 
|-
  
|-
−
| align="center" |[[File:1Remus.jpg|85px]]
 +
| align="center" |[[File:Remus Lupin profile 2.jpg|85px]]
 
| align="center" |[[Remus Lupin]]
  
| align="center" |[[Remus Lupin]]
 
| align="center" |[[1998]]<br />{{C|[[Kingsley Shacklebolt|Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt]]}}
  
| align="center" |[[1998]]<br />{{C|[[Kingsley Shacklebolt|Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt]]}}
−
| align="center" |Awarded posthumously for his role as a member of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] and for his death during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. Remus was the first werewolf ever to be accorded this honour.<ref name="PML">{{PM|remus-lupin}}</ref>
 +
| align="center" |Awarded posthumously for his role as a member of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] and for his death during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. Remus was the first werewolf ever to be accorded this honour.<ref name="PML">{{WW|remus-lupin}}</ref>
 
|-
  
|-
 
| align="center" |[[File:Mcgonagall headshot.PNG|85px]]
  
| align="center" |[[File:Mcgonagall headshot.PNG|85px]]
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| align="center" |Awarded for her unwavering allegiance to the [[Order of the Phoenix]] during the [[Second Wizarding War]], and her actions during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].<ref name="shortstories">[[Pottermore Presents]] - ''[[Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies]]'', Chapter 1 (''Minerva McGonagall'')</ref>
  
| align="center" |Awarded for her unwavering allegiance to the [[Order of the Phoenix]] during the [[Second Wizarding War]], and her actions during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].<ref name="shortstories">[[Pottermore Presents]] - ''[[Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies]]'', Chapter 1 (''Minerva McGonagall'')</ref>
 
|-
  
|-
−
| align="center" |[[File:OrabellaNuttley.png|85px]]
 +
| align="center" |[[File:Orabella Nuttley.png|85px]]
 
| align="center" |[[Orabella Nuttley]]
  
| align="center" |[[Orabella Nuttley]]
 
| align="center" |[[1754]]<br />{{C|[[Hesphaestus Gore|Minister Hesphaestus Gore]]}}
  
| align="center" |[[1754]]<br />{{C|[[Hesphaestus Gore|Minister Hesphaestus Gore]]}}
Line 69: Line 68:
 
| align="center" |[[Tilly Toke]] and her family
  
| align="center" |[[Tilly Toke]] and her family
 
| align="center" |[[1932]]<br />{{C|[[Hector Fawley|Minister Hector Fawley]]}}
  
| align="center" |[[1932]]<br />{{C|[[Hector Fawley|Minister Hector Fawley]]}}
−
| align="center" |Awarded for saving the lives of several [[Non-magic people|Muggle]]s during the [[Ilfracombe Incident]] in [[1932]].
 +
| align="center" |Awarded for saving the lives of several [[Non-magic people|Muggles]] during the [[Ilfracombe Incident]] in [[1932]].
 
|-
  
|-
 
| align="center" |[[File:Norvel Twonk.jpg|85px]]
  
| align="center" |[[File:Norvel Twonk.jpg|85px]]
Line 97: Line 96:
 
! width="44%" align="center" |Notes
  
! width="44%" align="center" |Notes
 
|-
  
|-
−
| align="center" |[[File:LockhartCos.PNG|85px]]
 +
| align="center" |[[File:Lockhart CoS.png|85px]]
 
| align="center" |[[Gilderoy Lockhart]]
  
| align="center" |[[Gilderoy Lockhart]]
 
| align="center" |Between [[1982]] and [[1992]]<br />{{C|[[Millicent Bagnold|Minister Millicent Bagnold]]<br />or<br />[[Cornelius Fudge|Minister Cornelius Fudge]]}}
  
| align="center" |Between [[1982]] and [[1992]]<br />{{C|[[Millicent Bagnold|Minister Millicent Bagnold]]<br />or<br />[[Cornelius Fudge|Minister Cornelius Fudge]]}}
−
| align="center" |Awarded for his encounters with many dark creatures and penning his [[Gilderoy Lockhart's collected works|autobiographic works]] with instructions people on how to repel them. In [[1993]] and later, it was revealed that he had only taken credit for these deeds and had not really done any of them, but since the truth never reached the public eye, he never lost it.
 +
| align="center" |Awarded for his encounters with many dark creatures and penning his [[Gilderoy Lockhart's collected works|autobiographic works]] with instructions on how to safely repel them. In [[1993]] and later, it was revealed that he had only taken credit for these deeds and had not really done any of them, but since the truth never reached the public eye, he never lost it.
 
|}
  
|}
   
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==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
−
* The "Muggle" counterpart to the Order of Merlin could include the [[Wikipedia:Order of the British Empire|Order of the British Empire]], [[Wikipedia:Order of St Michael and St George|Order of St Michael and St George]], or the [[Wikipedia:Royal Order of Victoria and Albert|Royal Order of Victoria and Albert]]. Each is/was a British system of honours which was divided into various classes and could be won by a person from any rank of society.
 +
*The "Muggle" counterpart to the Order of Merlin could include the [[Wikipedia:Order of the British Empire|Order of the British Empire]], [[Wikipedia:Order of St Michael and St George|Order of St Michael and St George]], or the [[Wikipedia:Royal Order of Victoria and Albert|Royal Order of Victoria and Albert]]. Each is/was a British system of honours which was divided into various classes and could be won by a person from any rank of society.
−
* Since 1966, the [http://www.magician.org International Brotherhood of Magicians] has been awarding its own [http://www.magician.org/portal/en/node/290 Order of Merlin] to long-standing members.
 +
*Since 1966, the [http://www.magician.org International Brotherhood of Magicians] has been awarding its own [http://www.magician.org/portal/en/node/290 Order of Merlin] to long-standing members.
−
* Since [[Albus Dumbledore]] was on the verge of losing his Order of Merlin during [[Cornelius Fudge]]'s [[Campaign to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter|campaign to discredit him and Harry Potter]], it means that a certain level of disgrace is capable of causing a recipient to lose the Order of Merlin.
 +
*Since [[Albus Dumbledore]] was on the verge of losing his Order of Merlin during [[Cornelius Fudge]]'s [[Campaign to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter|campaign to discredit him and Harry Potter]], it means that a certain level of disgrace is capable of causing a recipient to lose the Order of Merlin.
−
** As Fudge was heavily disgraced for his lack of actions against Lord Voldemort's [[Return of Lord Voldemort|return]] (not to mention that the worth of his award was heavily questioned to begin with), it's possible that his Order of Merlin has been retracted following his sacking from office.
 +
**As Fudge was heavily disgraced for his lack of actions against [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort's]] [[Return of Lord Voldemort|return]] (not to mention that the worth of his award was heavily questioned to begin with), it's possible that his Order of Merlin has been retracted following his sacking from office.
−
** If [[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s falsification of his life story was revealed, it is possible that his Order of Merlin was retracted from him during his hospitalisation at [[St Mungo's]].
 +
**If [[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s falsification of his life story was revealed, it is possible that his Order of Merlin was retracted from him during his hospitalisation at [[St Mungo's]].
−
** When [[Peter Pettigrew]]'s true actions of betrayal and frame-up of his [[Marauders|friends]], and his membership in the [[Death Eaters]] are revealed, it is possible his Order of Merlin was retracted from his mother's possession and passed on to [[Sirius Black]] for his leadership in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]].
 +
**When [[Peter Pettigrew]]'s true actions of betrayal and frame-up of his [[Marauders|friends]], and his membership in the [[Death Eaters]] are revealed, it is possible his Order of Merlin was retracted from his mother's possession and passed on to [[Sirius Black]] for his leadership in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]].
−
* It is possible that [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] were awarded the Order of Merlin later in their lives due to the contribution throughout the Second Wizarding War and the defeat of Lord Voldemort.
 +
*It is possible that [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] were awarded the Order of Merlin later in their lives due to the contribution throughout the [[Second Wizarding War]] and the defeat of Lord Voldemort.
−
** It is also likely that [[Severus Snape]] was given the Order of Merlin, First or Second Class, for his role as a double agent against Lord Voldemort during the Second Wizarding War.
 +
**It is also likely that [[Severus Snape]] was posthumously given the Order of Merlin, First or Second Class, for his role as a double agent against Lord Voldemort during the Second Wizarding War.
−
*** Snape was originally promised to be given such Order of Merlin by Cornelius Fudge for returning Sirius Black (assumed to be a fugitive murderer at the time) to Ministry custody, but Black escaped before Fudge could follow through on his word. It was later stated that the loss of this Order of Merlin hit Snape hard, and allegedly was the reason that he let it slip that [[Remus Lupin]] was a [[werewolf]].
 +
***Snape was originally promised to be given such Order of Merlin by Cornelius Fudge for returning Sirius Black (assumed to be a fugitive murderer at the time) to Ministry custody, but Black escaped before Fudge could follow through on his word. It was later stated that the loss of this Order of Merlin hit Snape hard, and allegedly was the reason that he let it slip that [[Remus Lupin]] was a [[werewolf]].
 
*During the Grand Final of the [[Wikipedia:Eurovision Song Contest 2018|Eurovision Song Contest 2018]], on 12 May 2018, a stage invader disrupted the United Kingdom performance, grabbing singer [[Wikipedia:SuRie|SuRie]]'s microphone and shouting "Nazis of the UK media, we demand freedom", before being swiftly dragged offstage.<ref>McKee, Ruth (12 May 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/may/12/stage-invader-storms-uks-eurovision-set "Man invades stage and grabs mic during UK Eurovision song"], ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 2018-05-13</ref> Australian commentator [[Wikipedia:Joel Creasey|Joel Creasey]] described the stage invader as "''some absolute cockhead''" during the live broadcast; on Twitter, [[J. K. Rowling]] commended Creasey and awarded him with the Order of Merlin, First Class.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/995407380358852608 Apparently the Australian commentator called @surieofficial's stage invader 'some absolute cockhead' and I don't want to hear another word about Australia being in #Eurovision ever again. <nowiki>[...]</nowiki> Order of Merlin, First Class x] by [https://twitter.com/jk_rowling J.K. Rowling on Twitter]</ref>
  
*During the Grand Final of the [[Wikipedia:Eurovision Song Contest 2018|Eurovision Song Contest 2018]], on 12 May 2018, a stage invader disrupted the United Kingdom performance, grabbing singer [[Wikipedia:SuRie|SuRie]]'s microphone and shouting "Nazis of the UK media, we demand freedom", before being swiftly dragged offstage.<ref>McKee, Ruth (12 May 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/may/12/stage-invader-storms-uks-eurovision-set "Man invades stage and grabs mic during UK Eurovision song"], ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 2018-05-13</ref> Australian commentator [[Wikipedia:Joel Creasey|Joel Creasey]] described the stage invader as "''some absolute cockhead''" during the live broadcast; on Twitter, [[J. K. Rowling]] commended Creasey and awarded him with the Order of Merlin, First Class.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/995407380358852608 Apparently the Australian commentator called @surieofficial's stage invader 'some absolute cockhead' and I don't want to hear another word about Australia being in #Eurovision ever again. <nowiki>[...]</nowiki> Order of Merlin, First Class x] by [https://twitter.com/jk_rowling J.K. Rowling on Twitter]</ref>
   
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*{{HBP}} {{Mention}}
  
*{{HBP}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{PM}}
  
*{{PM}}
  +
*{{WW}}
 
*{{HPV|CH}} (mentioned only)
  
*{{HPV|CH}} (mentioned only)
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
−  
 
[[de:Merlin-Orden]]
 
[[de:Merlin-Orden]]
 
[[es:Orden de Merlín]]
  
[[es:Orden de Merlín]]

Revision as of 18:37, 27 June 2020

"Point me!"
This article is about the prestigious award. You may be looking for the organisation founded by Merlin in the Middle Ages.

The Order of Merlin (abbreviated O.M.) is an award bestowed upon wizards and witches who have achieved great things for the wizarding world. It had three different award levels: First Class, Second Class, and Third Class. It is the wizarding world's equivalent to the Order of the British Empire with first class being the equivalent to the most senior order: a knighthood.

History

Merlin1

Merlin, the most famous wizard of his era, for whom the Order of Merlin award was named

An organisation called the Order of Merlin was founded by Merlin in the Middle Ages.[1] Merlin believed that wizards and witches should help Muggles, and, thus, the Order of Merlin established rules against the use of magic on Muggles.[1]

The award known as the Order of Merlin was created in commemoration of Merlin and was first given out by the Wizengamot in the 15th century.[2] It is unknown whether this award was connected to the earlier organisation of the same name.

As often happens with such highly coveted awards, Ministry of Magic favourites seem to receive the Order of Merlin, especially the higher classes, more often than one might expect. Notable unworthy recipients are Cornelius Fudge, who gave it to himself despite his less-than-distinguishable career, the fraudulent Gilderoy Lockhart, the treacherous Peter Pettigrew, and Arcturus Black, who was widely believed to have bought it by loaning the Ministry a large amount of gold.[2]

Appearance and classes

The Order of Merlin consisted of a "handsome" golden medal which hung on a coloured ribbon indicating its class.[2]

There were three different classes of Order of Merlin that were awarded:

  • First Class: Awarded for "acts of outstanding bravery or distinction" in magic. The colour of the ribbon for this class was green, which was believed to represent Merlin's Hogwarts house, Slytherin.[2]
  • Second Class: Awarded for "achievement or endeavour beyond the ordinary." The colour of the ribbon for this class was purple.[2]
  • Third Class: Awarded to individuals who "have made a contribution to our store of knowledge or entertainment." The colour of the ribbon for this class was white.[2]

Known recipients

Order of Merlin, First Class

Portrait Name Date Notes
PodricBatworthy2 Podric Batworthy Unknown Batworthy held, additionally, the title of Grand Sorcerer, which suggests he was particularly accomplished in magic.[3]
Arcturus Black III Arcturus Black Between 1901 and 1991 Awarded for his "services to the Ministry", which, according to his grandson Sirius Black, was another way of saying that he had given them a lot of gold. Medal thrown into the rubbish when 12 Grimmauld Place was being cleaned out in August, 1995.
Albus Dumbledore (HBP promo) 1 Albus Dumbledore 1945
(Minister Leonard Spencer-Moon) 		Awarded for his defeat of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, effectively putting an end to the global wizarding war. During the campaign to discredit him, it was suggested by Remus Lupin that the Ministry would consider taking away the Order of Merlin from Dumbledore. Dumbledore claimed that he didn't care as long as he wasn't taken off of the Chocolate Frog Cards. However, when Dumbledore's credibility was restored, the Ministry's consideration to retract the medal was cancelled.
Cornelius Fudge 2 Cornelius Fudge Between 1990 and 1995
(Minister Cornelius Fudge) 		Presumably for his work as Minister for Magic; awarded by Fudge to himself, which caused controversy in the wizarding community.[2]
Remus Lupin profile 2 Remus Lupin 1998
(Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt) 		Awarded posthumously for his role as a member of the Order of the Phoenix and for his death during the Battle of Hogwarts. Remus was the first werewolf ever to be accorded this honour.[4]
Mcgonagall headshot Minerva McGonagall 1998
(Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt) 		Awarded for her unwavering allegiance to the Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War, and her actions during the Battle of Hogwarts.[5]
Orabella Nuttley Orabella Nuttley 1754
(Minister Hesphaestus Gore) 		Awarded for her use of the Mending Charm to repair the Colosseum after it was destroyed by an explosion that occurred when a fight broke out between supporters of two broom racers in 1754.[6]
Pettigrew COS UE booklet 1 Peter Pettigrew 1981
(Minister Millicent Bagnold) 		Awarded posthumously (or so it was believed at the time) for a "heroic confrontation" with Sirius Black. The medal was given to Pettigrew's mother. In 1994 and later, it was revealed that he had been the one who betrayed the Potter family, and that Black was just the scapegoat.
Tilly Toke Tilly Toke and her family 1932
(Minister Hector Fawley) 		Awarded for saving the lives of several Muggles during the Ilfracombe Incident in 1932.
Norvel Twonk Norvel Twonk 1957
(Minister Wilhelmina Tuft) 		Awarded posthumously for saving the life of a Muggle child from a runaway manticore.

Order of Merlin, Second Class

Portrait Name Date Notes
NewtCrop2 Newton Scamander 1979
(Minister Harold Minchum) 		Awarded "in recognition of his services to the study of magical beasts, Magizoology".

Order of Merlin, Third Class

Portrait Name Date Notes
Lockhart CoS Gilderoy Lockhart Between 1982 and 1992
(Minister Millicent Bagnold
or
Minister Cornelius Fudge) 		Awarded for his encounters with many dark creatures and penning his autobiographic works with instructions on how to safely repel them. In 1993 and later, it was revealed that he had only taken credit for these deeds and had not really done any of them, but since the truth never reached the public eye, he never lost it.

Recipients of unknown class

Portrait Name Date Notes
CottonmoreCrome Cottismore Croyne Unknown May have been awarded for his tenure as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards.
AlbertGibberingStump2 Albert Gibbering Stump Between 1662 and 1700
(Wizards' Council) 		For unknown reasons.
Damocles Belby Sometime after the mid-1970s[7] May have been awarded for his invention of the lycanthropy-treating Wolfsbane Potion.[8]

Behind the scenes

  • The "Muggle" counterpart to the Order of Merlin could include the Order of the British Empire, Order of St Michael and St George, or the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert. Each is/was a British system of honours which was divided into various classes and could be won by a person from any rank of society.
  • Since 1966, the International Brotherhood of Magicians has been awarding its own Order of Merlin to long-standing members.
  • Since Albus Dumbledore was on the verge of losing his Order of Merlin during Cornelius Fudge's campaign to discredit him and Harry Potter, it means that a certain level of disgrace is capable of causing a recipient to lose the Order of Merlin.
    • As Fudge was heavily disgraced for his lack of actions against Lord Voldemort's return (not to mention that the worth of his award was heavily questioned to begin with), it's possible that his Order of Merlin has been retracted following his sacking from office.
    • If Gilderoy Lockhart's falsification of his life story was revealed, it is possible that his Order of Merlin was retracted from him during his hospitalisation at St Mungo's.
    • When Peter Pettigrew's true actions of betrayal and frame-up of his friends, and his membership in the Death Eaters are revealed, it is possible his Order of Merlin was retracted from his mother's possession and passed on to Sirius Black for his leadership in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
  • It is possible that Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were awarded the Order of Merlin later in their lives due to the contribution throughout the Second Wizarding War and the defeat of Lord Voldemort.
    • It is also likely that Severus Snape was posthumously given the Order of Merlin, First or Second Class, for his role as a double agent against Lord Voldemort during the Second Wizarding War.
      • Snape was originally promised to be given such Order of Merlin by Cornelius Fudge for returning Sirius Black (assumed to be a fugitive murderer at the time) to Ministry custody, but Black escaped before Fudge could follow through on his word. It was later stated that the loss of this Order of Merlin hit Snape hard, and allegedly was the reason that he let it slip that Remus Lupin was a werewolf.
  • During the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, on 12 May 2018, a stage invader disrupted the United Kingdom performance, grabbing singer SuRie's microphone and shouting "Nazis of the UK media, we demand freedom", before being swiftly dragged offstage.[9] Australian commentator Joel Creasey described the stage invader as "some absolute cockhead" during the live broadcast; on Twitter, J. K. Rowling commended Creasey and awarded him with the Order of Merlin, First Class.[10]

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Famous Wizard Card (Merlin)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Order of Merlin" at Wizarding World
  3. ↑ Harry Potter Limited Edition - The Paintings of Hogwarts: Masterpieces from the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Sets
  4. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Remus Lupin" at Wizarding World
  5. ↑ Pottermore Presents - Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, Chapter 1 (Minerva McGonagall)
  6. ↑ Wonderbook: Book of Spells
  7. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 18 (Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs), page 258 "The Potion that Professor Snape has been making is a very recent discovery...Before the Wolfsbane Potion was discovered, however, I became a fully fledged monster once a month [when I went to Hogwarts]"
  8. ↑ Horace Slughorn states in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 7, "I was just telling young Marcus here that I had the pleasure of teaching his Uncle Damocles. Outstanding wizard, outstanding, and his Order of Merlin most well-deserved."
  9. ↑ McKee, Ruth (12 May 2018). "Man invades stage and grabs mic during UK Eurovision song", The Guardian. Retrieved on 2018-05-13
  10. ↑ Apparently the Australian commentator called @surieofficial's stage invader 'some absolute cockhead' and I don't want to hear another word about Australia being in #Eurovision ever again. [...] Order of Merlin, First Class x by J.K. Rowling on Twitter
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