|
|
| |
THE INTERNATIONAL AND ROYAL
COUNCIL FOR ORDERS OF CHIVALRY
THE ALMANACH DE CHIVALRY 2008
( Founded 2002 by Royal Charter )
The Register of Orders of Chivalry
Registre des Ordres de Chevalerie
The Official Listing of The Imperial
and Royal European Orders of Chivalry
The Royal Danish Orders of Knighthood
|
(Above)
Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark .
_________
__________________________________________
THE DANISH ROYAL ORDERS OF CHIVALRY
__________________________________________
The Queen heads the two Danish royal orders of chivalry, the Order of the Elephant and the Order of the Dannebrog, while Prince Henrik is their chancellor. The most distinguished is the Order of the Elephant, which is believed to date back to the 15th century. Originally, it was mainly bestowed on foreign princes and exalted Danish noblemen. Now, the Order is almost exclusively bestowed on foreign heads of state and members of the royal family. The Order of the Dannebrog was instituted by Christian V in 1671, but its statutes were changed along the lines of the French Legion of Honour in 1808, when it was divided into various grades. It is now mainly used to honour meritorious Danish citizens.
The Order of the Elephant Danish order of chivalry; the highest Danish order. The order is almost only bestowed upon members of the Danish royal family, members of foreign royal houses, and heads of state. The Order of the Elephant's annual days of observance are January 1st, June 28th and on Her Majesty the Queen's birthday.
The Order of the Dannebrog Danish order of chivalry, instituted in 1671 by the Danish king Christian V with only one class; revised in 1808 as an order of merit; from 1951 could also be bestowed upon women. The order is bestowed every year upon 500-600 Danes and foreigners. The Order of Dannebrog's annual days of observance are January 28th, April 15th, June 28th and on Her Majesty the Queen's birthday.
The bestowal of honours continues to lie solely with the Head of the Order but the day-to-day administration of the honours system is undertaken by the College of Arms which forms part of the royal court. By virtue of the relatively broad bestowal of the lower grades of the Order of the Dannebrog and the royal orders of merit, the honours system today acts as a link between the population and the royal house.
An Order is an institution derived from the medieval monastic or secular orders of knighthood. Although originally closed fraternities, modern orders are honorific, having generally been created by a sovereign or head of state to reward meritorious service. An order is generally the highest honor a citizen may receive for a career or service of great distinction in the services of one's country. Membership in an order is generally granted by the sovereign or head of state, who is typically the "grand master" of the order. In Scandinavia the King or Queen is the "Sovereign/Grand Master" of each order. Membership is usually limited to a specific, small number. Orders may have several classes of membership which are denoted by a variety of insignia or badges of rank and distinction. The badges are often referred to as "orders." The insignias typically are made of precious metals with enameled or jeweled designs.
_________________
|
(Above)
The Ceremonial Insignia of
The Royal Order of The Elephant
__________
_________________________________________________
THE ROYAL DANISH ORDER OF THE ELEPHANT
_________________________________________________
The Order of the Elephant is the highest order of Denmark. The order is of ancient origin, but was instituted in its current form on December 1, 1693 by King Christian V. The statute of the order was amended in 1958 by a Royal Ordinance so that both men and women could be members of the order.
The Danish monarch is the head of the order. The order is worn by members of the royal family, and may also be bestowed on foreign heads of state. In very exceptional circumstances the order may also be bestowed on a commoner. The only living holder of the order, who is neither a former head of state or royal-born, is Mr. Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, a leading industrialist and philantropist. The order of the Elephant has one class: Knight of the Elephant (Ridder af Elefantordenen).
The collar of the order is of gold. It consists of alternating elephants and towers. On the cover of the elephants there is a D which stands for Dania, mediaeval Latin for Denmark. The badge of the order is the elephant made of white-enamelled gold. It is about 5 cm high. On its back the elephant is bearing a watch tower; in front of the tower a Moor is sitting, holding a golden spear; on the right side of the elephant there is a cross of diamonds and on the left the elephant bears the monogram of the bestowing monarch. The star of the order is an eight-pointed silver star. At its center there is a red disc with a cross, surrounded by a laurel wreath in silver. It is worn on the left side of the chest. The sash of the order is of light-blue silk moiré and 10 cm wide. It is placed on the left shoulder with the elephant resting against the right hip. The collar is not worn when the sash is used. Upon the death of a Knight of the Elephant, the insignia of the order must be returned.
_______________
|
(Above)
The Ceremonial Insignia of
The Royal Order of The Dannebrog
__________
_________________________________________________
THE ROYAL DANISH ORDER OF THE DANNEBROG
_________________________________________________
The Order of the Dannebrog was instituted in 1671. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the King, and his sons. In 1808, the Order was reformed and it was divided into four classes: the Grand Commander class and below that the three regular classes of the Order: Grand Cross (first Order class), Commander 1st Degree and Commander (second Order class), and Knight 1st Degree and Knight (third Order class). The Cross of Honour is attached to the Order of the Dannebrog. Today, the Order of Dannebrog is a means of rewarding the faithful servants of the modern welfare state for meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life or for those working for Danish interests.
The monarch heads the Order. The badge of the Order of the Dannebrog is a white and red-enamelled Dannebrog cross, for the Knights in silver and for everyone else in gold. The cross hangs in the crowned monogram of the bestowing monarch. On its front, the cross bears the crowned monogram of Christian V as well as the motto of the Order: Gud og Kongen (God and the King). On the reverse, the crowned monograms of Valdemar II Sejr, Christian V and Frederik VI, as well as the years 1219, 1671 and 1808 appear. In each of the four angles of the cross a royal crown has been placed.
The Grand Commander class has been reserved to persons of princely origin, and not more than seven Orders are bestowed. The Grand Commanders wear the badge on a necklet (gentlemen) or on a bow (ladies). An eight-pointed silver star is worn on the left side of the chest. The insignia of the Grand Cross class consist of the badge, the star of the Order (the same as for Grand Commanders), the collar and the sash. The collar of the Order is of gold and the sash is white with a red border. The sash is draped from the right shoulder to the left hip. Commanders 1st Degree and Commanders wear the badge on the necklet (gentlemen) or on a bow (ladies). Commanders 1st Degree also wear a breast cross. Knights 1st Degree and Knights wear their cross on a chest ribbon (gentlemen) or on a bow (ladies). Knights 1st Degree have a rosette on the chest ribbon or bow.
The Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog is awarded to Danes on whom the Order of the Dannebrog has already been bestowed. It is also worn by the individual members of the royal family. Its badge is all in silver and it is worn on a ribbon (gentlemen) or bow (ladies) with rosette.
The insignia of the Order must be returned upon the death of the holder. Bestowal, It is acquired through distinguished service and actions; such as: excellent proof of courage, insight and manliness for the warrior, or faith, insight and zeal for the civil servant, through devotion to the King, the country and fellow citizens; through successful accomplishment of difficult ventures where no pains were spared, to the benefit of the State; through progress made in science and in the arts to the glory of the nation; through ingenious inventions whereby new sources of wealth are opened to the State and through generally useful, new and beneficial plants in the nation's agriculture, industry and trade. Convinced that the upright person, next to the stimuli of religion and morality, considers the Honour as the purest and noblest mainspring of everything Good, and that he, next to the gratifying feeling of having been useful, considers the esteem of his Sovereign and of his fellow citizens the most dignified reward, We have found that Our paternal purposes can best be achieved by means of an external symbol of recognized civic worth."
______________
|
________________________________________________
THE ROYAL GREEK ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD
________________________________________________
King Constantine of Greece, formerly Constantine II, King of the Hellenes ( born June 2, 1940 ) was King of Greece from 1964 until the abolition of the monarchy by the Greek military junta on June 1, 1973.
During the Metapolitefsi, the transitional period following the fall of the Junta, the matter of his restoration to the throne was set on the Greek plebiscite, 1974 (December 13, 1974) and the results confirmed his deposition. The plebiscite was held while the King was in London; though he was allowed to, he did not enter Greece to campaign. He never announced his abdication. However, unable to overthrow the government by royal edict, as in 1965, he never openly questioned the outcome and asked his supporters to respect the outcome (over two thirds of the electorate voted for the abolition of the monarchy).
Upon ascending the throne, he was styled ( Konstantinos II, Vasileus ton Ellinon ). He has lived in exile since 1967. Also called by supporters as King Konstantinos XIII, extending the line succession of the Byzantine empire, from the last Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI.
His Majesty King Constantine II of Greece , is the Sovereign Grand Master of the following Royal Greek Orders of Chivlary, please see below.
_________________
_________________________________________
The Order of the Redeemer or Saviour
( Basilikon tagma toi soteros )
_________________________________________
The Order of the Redeemer ( Greek: Τάγμα του Σωτήρος ) is an Order ( decoration ) of Greece. The Order of the Redeemer ( Saviour ) is the highest decoration awarded by the Greek government .
The Order of the Redeemer was the first Hellenic Order to be established by the Fourth National Assembly at Argos in 1829, during the Greek War of Independence. The award bears the name Redeemer due to the Assembly's belief that the Greek nation was reborn through divine assistance. The relevant Decree was signed in Nauplio by King Otto of Greece on May 20, 1833. From that date onwards, the insignia of the Order were conferred on Greeks and foreigners alike who were distinguished during the struggle for independence.
Among those who were first awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer were King Ludwig I of Bavaria, the father of King Otto of Greece, in 1833; Andreas Miaoulis in 1835, Petrobey Mavromichalis, Alexandros Mavrokordatos and Lazaros Kountouriotis in 1836, Andreas Zaimis, Theodoros Kolokotronis and Georgios Kountouriotis in 1837, and Constantine Kanaris in 1864.
Currently, the degrees of the Order of the Redeemer are bestowed by the Greek government to distinguished Greek citizens who have defended the interests of the country in time of war or, who have rendered highly exceptional social services in Greece or abroad. The Order is also conferred upon eminent personalities who are not Greek citizens.
The Order has five classes:
Grand Cross ('Μεγαλόσταυρος') - wears the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
Grand Commander ('Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
Commander ('Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
Gold Cross ('Χρυσούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
Silver Cross ('Αργυρούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
The Insignia: form of the insignia has altered in several respects in the 170 years since the establishment of the Order. Today, the badge of the Order consists of a white enamelled cross pattée, in silver for the Silver Cross and in gold for the other grades, set on a green enamelled wreath, one half of which is an oak branch and the other half a laurel branch. The central disc bears an icon of Jesus, the Redeemer of Orthodox Christian soteriology; this is also made of enamel. The icon is surrounded by this inscription on a blue enamelled ring:
Η ΔΕΞΙΑ ΣΟΥ ΧΕΙΡ, ΚΥΡΙΕ, ΔΕΔΟΞΑΣΤΑΙ ΕΝ ΙΣΧΥΙ ("Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power", Genesis, 15:6)
The reverse of the medallion carries the inscription:
Η ΕΝ ΑΡΓΕΙ Δ´ ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΥΝΕΛΕΥΣΙΣ - 1829 ("The IV National Assembly of the Hellenes at Argos - 1829")
The star of the Order is an eight-pointed faceted silver star with the same central disc as on the badge of the Order. At first the stars were embroidered; later, stars made of solid silver prevailed, as is the case today.
The ribbon of the Order is light blue, with a narrow white border on both edges, reflecting the Flag of Greece.
________________
_____________________________________________
The Royal Order of George I
( Basilikon tagma toy Georgioy A )
_____________________________________________
The Order of George I was formerly an Order (decoration) of Greece named after King George I of Greece. It was replaced in 1975 by the Order of Honour.
The Order was created in 1915 by King Constantine I of Greece and was awarded to those who distinguished themselves in causes of their nations.
The Order has five classes:
Grand Cross - wears the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest; Grand Commander - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
Commander - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
Gold Cross - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
Silver Cross - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
There were also the Memorial Cross, in gold, silver and bronze, which was the badge of the Order without enamel on a ribbon on the left chest.
The Insignia: badge of the Order was a white-enamelled Latin Cross, in silver for the Silver Cross class, in gold for the higher classes, with a wreath of laurels between the arms of the cross. The obverse central disc was in red enamel, bearing the crowned back-to-back monogram "Γ1" (for George I of Greece), surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the motto "IΣXΥΣ MOΥ H AΓAΠH TOΥ ΛAOΥ" (The Love of the People, My Strength). The reverse central disc bore the years of George I's reign, 1863-1913. The badge was topped by a crown; the military division also had crossed swords behind the badge.
The star of the Order was a silver star with straight rays, with eight points for Grand Cross and four points for Grand Commander, and with the obverse of the badge superimposed upon it. The ribbon of the Order was plain red.
_________________
____________________________________________________________
The Royal Order of Saint George and Saint Constantine
( Basilikon oikogenaiakon tagma ton agion Georgioy kai Konstantinoi )
____________________________________________________________
Established for the male members of the
Royal Family. 5 classes. No longer accorded.
_______________
____________________________________________________________
The Royal Order of Saint Olga and Saint Sophia
( Basilikon oikogeneiakon tagma ton agion Sophias kai Olgas )
____________________________________________________________
Established for the female members of the
Royal Family. 4 classes. No longer accorded.
________________
___________________________________________
The Royal Order of the Phoenix
( Basilikon tagma toy Phoinikos )
___________________________________________
Instituted on 13 May 1926 as a Republican Order of Merit reserved for foreigners to replace the Royal Order of George I. The Phoenix symbolises the re-birth of Hellenism with the establishment of the Greek Republic. Its design was altered after the re-establishment of the Monarchy and was renamed the Royal Order of the Phoenix on 18 January 1936 (Hieronymussen, 1970). The new Order could now be conferred upon Greek citizens, to reward them for distinguished military or civil services. In 1941 with the outbreak of the Second World War a military division of the Order was established. This was awarded for acts of bravery in wartime.Its was renamed the Order of the Phoenix and the crown removed on 7 September 1973 after the proclamation of the Republic. Since then it has had the inscription on the reverse of the medallion changed a number of times but remains a Greek Order.
The Order has civil and military divisions of 5 classes:
1st Class - Grand Cross (Badge on sash & Star)
2nd Class - Grand Commander (Badge on necklet & Star)
3rd Class - Commander (Badge on necklet)
4th Class - Knight's Gold Cross (Badge on chest riband)
5th Class - Knight's Silver Cross (Badge on chest riband)
The badge of the Order is a white enamelled 'cross pattée' in gold ( silver for the 5th class ) pendent on a royal crown. The centre bears a Phoenix rising from the ashes. The riband of the order is Orange with black selvedges and the military badge of the order is provided with crossed swords.
_________________
__________________________________________
The Royal Order for Good Deeds
( Basilikon tagma tes Eypoiia )
__________________________________________
Established 1948. Reserved for ladies. 5 classes.
__________________
__________________________________________________________
"CHRISTUS VINCIT, CHRISTUS REGNAT, CHRISTUS IMPERIT"
__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
For Further Information
The Correspondence Address is:
The Imperial and Royal Society
of The Almanach de Chivalry,
Royal Mail Post Office Box 276,
Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0UL,
United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44 (0) 208 943 4520
Fax: +44 (0) 208 943 4520
E-mail: almanachdechivalry@msn.com
________________________________________________________
The Official Website of Almanach de Chivalry
Crown Copyright Held © 2002-2008, All Rights Reserved
WEBSITE LINKS :
|
|
|
|
|
