The Order of the Black Eagle

The Order of the Black Eagle (German: Schwarzer-Adler-Orden) was the highest order of chivalry in Prussia. Founded in 1701 by Friedrich I, the Black Eagle Order had very limited membership, granted by the King of Prussia. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (834x1461, 244 KB) A Cross and a star from my own collection. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (834x1461, 244 KB) A Cross and a star from my own collection. ... An Order is a decoration, awarded by a government to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. ... Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1701-1918 Prussia (German: ; Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Lithuanian: ; Polish: ; Old Prussian: PrÅ«sa) was, most recently, a historic state originating in East Prussia, an area which for centuries had substantial influence on German and European history. ... Events January 18 - Frederick I becomes King of Prussia. ... Friedrich I of Prussia. ... The following is a list of Kings of Prussia (Könige von Preußen) from the Hohenzollern family. ...

The Order of the Black Eagle was granted primarily to royalty and high heads of state, although it was also awarded to high-ranking military officers. It had only one class, which wore the badge of the Order on a collar (chain) or on a sash on the left shoulder, plus the star of the Order on the left chest.

Insignia

The badge of the Order was a gilt Maltese Cross enamelled in blue, with black eagles between the arms of the cross; the gilt central disc bore the Royal monogram. A gilt is any of the following: A thin covering of gold. ... Maltese Cross The Maltese cross is identified as the symbol of the Christian warrior. ...

The star of the Order was a silver eight-pointed star, with straight or faceted rays depending on the jeweller's design. The central disc had a black eagle on a golden background, surrounded by a white enamelled ring bearing the motto of the Order, Suum Cuique (To Each His Own).

The ribbon of the Order was orange. It was meant to honour the Queen's descendency from the Dutch family of the princes of Orange and the founder of that dynasty William the Silent, champion of the Protestant cause in Europe. There is a particularly excellent portrait of Republican President Paul Ludwig Hans von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg by Vogel that hangs in the rote Berlin Rathaus that shows the former war hero and Field Marshal wearing the full order with the orange sash, Star and Badge. People who received this Order prior to 1848 were required to be part of the nobility. After 1849 members were given hereditary title by the monarch if they were not in the nobility. Only the aristocracy could hold this Order. Orange (Provençal Occitan: Aurenja in classical norm or Aurenjo in Mistralian norm) is a town and commune in the département of Vaucluse, in the south of France. ... William I (William the Silent) William I of Orange-Nassau (April 24, 1533 – July 10, 1584), also widely known as William the Silent [Dutch: Willem de Zwijger], was born in the House of Nassau, and became Prince of Orange in 1544. ...

External links

• (BBC Photo) of the famous Rathaus (City Hall) photo.
• Orders (decorations) of the Prussian Army
• Orders and Medals of the Kingdom of Prussia and other selected German States