Victoria Cross
Preserved but no longer current.
A decoration for "conspicuous bravery or devotion to the country in the presence of the enemy." The decoration was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856, the design being a Maltese cross of bronze, ^with a scroll underneath bearing the words For Valour." It is worn on the left breast, sus- pended by a red ribbon and takes precedence of all other decorations.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Victoria Cross” mean?
A decoration for "conspicuous bravery or devotion to the country in the presence of the enemy." The decoration was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856, the design being a Maltese cross of bronze, ^with a scroll underneath bearing the words For Valour." It is worn on the left breast, sus- pended by a red ribbon and takes precedence of all other decorations.
Is “Victoria Cross” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.