Order of the Crown (Württemberg)


The Order of the Württemberg Crown was an order of chivalry in Württemberg.

History

First established in 1702 as the St.-Hubertus-Jagdorden, in 1807 it was renamed the "Ritterorden vom Goldenen Adler" by Frederick I, and on 23 September 1818 renewed and restructured by William I as the "Order of the Württemberg Crown" with 3 classes. In 1918 the order was expanded and changed
Its motto reads : Furchtlos und treu. Until 1913 the higher orders were restricted to the nobility. In descending order, its ranks were:
  1. Grand cross for sovereigns
  2. Grand cross
  3. Commander with star
  4. Commander
  5. Honour cross / Ehrenkreuz
  6. Knight
  7. Gold Verdienstmedaille
  8. Silver Verdienstmedaille

    Insignia

Cross

The order's cross was a white enameled Maltese cross with gold lions in its four angles. The lions came as standard for the grand cross and Komtur, but were only on knight's crosses as a special honour. On the upper arm, a golden crown was secured by means of two gold bands, from which - except in the honour cross in stuck form - the cross hung. The medallion was gold and blue on the front, and in the middle were the golden initials of king Frederick I and a crown - on the back was a golden crown, on red. All grades could since 1866 be awarded with swords. With the changes of 1890, the swords were only granted in awards of a higher class. Since 1892 the lowest grades also had the special honours of golden lion and lion added.

Stars

The grand-cross was a silver 8-pointed star in whose middle was a reduced cross in a medallion with a circular motto in the centre. Sovereigns received the star in gold. The Komtur had a 4-pointed silver star whose rays went through the cross angles.

Ribbon

The ribbon was carmine red with black stripes and carmine borders. Members of reigning houses received insignia of the grand-cross with a ribbon in scarlet.

Awards

Many awards were made - in the First World War alone, the numbers were:
As an extraordinary instance, the grand-cross "in Brillanten" was granted to Reichskanzler Otto von Bismarck in 1871.