Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Order of St. Louis
(Full size),
Knight, Kingdom of France
法蘭西王國時期
騎士級聖路易勳章
(官方版)
Item number: M11
Year: AD 1800-1825
Material: Gold and Enamel
Size: 80.0 x 39.0 mm
Weight: 8.43 g
Provenance: Liverpool Medals 2022
InAD 1693, Louis XIV, the reigning king of France, decided to establish the “Order of Saint Louis” under the name of the legendary medieval monarch, Louis IX. This order was created to promote the Catholic faith among military officers and recognize their achievements. The members of the Order were eligible to receive the “Order of Saint Louis,” which comprised three ranks: Knight (chevalier), Commander (commandeur), and Grand Cross (grand-croix). According to the original statutes, the organization consisted of an unlimited number of knights, twenty-four commanders, and eight holders of the Grand Cross, marking the first time in French history that order was open to individuals of non-noble birth.
After the outbreak of the French Revolution in AD 1792, the National Convention, established as the supreme authority, declared the founding of the Republic and abolished the Order of Saint Louis. Although in AD1814, during the Bourbon Restoration under Louis XVIII, the Order was reinstated, its bestowal was once again halted in AD 1830 after the July Revolution, when the newly elected ruler, Louis-Philippe I, announced the suspension of the Order of Saint Louis. For known holders of the Order, an official decree mandated the removal of the Gold Fleur De Lis from the order before it could be worn in public.
The method of wearing the Knight rank differs from the Commander and Grand Cross ranks. Instead of being suspended from an 11 cm wide red grand cordon fixed from the upper right to the lower left. The Knight’s Order, however, is worn with a single 37 mm wide ribbon of cloud-patterned crimson silk, attached to the left eyelet of the garment.
According to the design of Louis XIV, retired officers awarded this honor received fixed annual subsidies from the surplus of the L’hôtel des Invalides, varying based on the level of the order. The Grand Cross level received 6000 livres, the Commander level received 3000 to 4000 livres, and the Knight level received 2000 livres. However, simultaneously, if an individual who has not been conferred the honor publicly wears the order, they will face the loss of noble titles and even endure up to twenty years of hard labor.
The three ranks of the Saint Louis Order, all crafted in gold, exhibit distinct specifications. The Knight rank, being the most commonly awarded, boasts a diameter of approximately 40 mm and a weight slightly exceeding 11 g. On the other hand, the higher-ranking Commander and Grand Cross ranks feature a larger diameter of 70 mm and a weight slightly exceeding 38 g. The overall appearance features a cross with white enamel borders, showcasing a specific angle adorned with a Gold Freur De Lis symbolizing the Bourbon dynasty of France. Two gold buttons are elegantly positioned at each end of the branches, and near the central end, a gold-coloured dovetail joint expertly connects the badge to the insignia.
The insignia takes an oval shape, surrounded by blue enamel borders with gilded edges on both sides. The front border is inscribed with “Ludovicus Magnus Instituit 1693,” indicating “Louis the Great Established in AD1693,” the uppercase golden letters abbreviated as “LUD. M. INST. 1693.” At the center of the insignia is a full-body portrait of King Louis, adorned in golden armor and draped in a white ermine cloak with blue enamel paint. In his right hand, the king holds a green enamel laurel wreath, while in his left hand, he grasps a green crown of thorns worn by Jesus, accompanied by a trailing white veil. The king stands on green land, positioned in front of a red enamel background symbolizing the passion of Jesus.
Turning to the reverse side, the blue enamel border is inscribed with “BELL VIRTUTIS PRAEM,” which translates to “Reward for Valor” (BELLICAE VIRTUTIS PRAEMIUM). Notably, the letters underlined in the ” BELL VIRTUTIS PRAEM “ inscription, the letters underlined have lost their golden paint due to the passage of time. At the center of the insignia is a burning golden sword, with the blade passing through a white belt and connecting to a green laurel wreath. The green enamel on the laurel wreath’s end on the right side has worn off, revealing the golden base of the insignia.
Due to the aforementioned history, the order is recognized by the present-day “International Commission for Orders of Chivalry” as a knighthood.
綬章本體呈一橢圓形,雙面皆被鑲金邊的藍色琺瑯邊框包圍。正面的邊框刻有Ludovicus Magnus Instituit 1693,即「路易大帝設立於公元1693年」金色大寫字母縮寫:「LUD. M. INST. 1693」。綬章中央刻有聖路易國王的全身肖像,其身穿金甲,肩披以琺瑯藍塗裝的白底貂皮斗篷。國王右手握著綠色琺瑯月桂花環,左手拿著耶穌的綠色荊棘王冠及一條下垂白色面紗。國王雙腳踏在綠色土地上,站在象徵耶穌受難的紅色琺瑯背景前方。
Borna Barac, Reference Catalogue Orders Medals and Decorations of the World : instituted until 1945 : Part II Bronze Book D-G (Craotia:OBOL d.o.o. Zagreb, 2010)