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The Military Order of Maria Theresa

The Military Order of Maria Theresa was the highest military honor of the Habsburg Monarchy, Austrian Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Time Period: Pre World War I
Institution: 18 June 1757
Country: Austria, Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia

The Military Order of Maria Theresa (or “Militär-Maria-Theresien-Orden” in German and “Katonai Mária Terézia-rend” in Hungarian) was the highest military honor of the Habsburg Monarchy, Austrian Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is considered to be the highest honor for a soldier in the Austrian armed services.

The order was founded on 18 June 1757, the day of the Battle of Kolin, by Empress Maria Theresa, and awarded for especially meritorious and valorous acts by commissioned officers, especially the act of defeating an enemy, and thus “serving” their monarch.

Because the Order was given for “successful military acts of essential impact to a campaign that was undertaken on [the officer’s] own initiative and might have been omitted by an honorable officer without reproach“, this gave rise to a popular myth that it was awarded for (successfully) acting against an explicit order.

The Military Order of Maria Theresa Classes

The Order of Theresa consisted of several classes, each representing a different level of distinction and honor. Originally, the order had two classes: Knight’s Cross and Grand Cross.

On 15 October 1765, Emperor Joseph II added a Commander’s Cross, and a breast star to be worn by holders of the Grand Cross. The three classes are, then:

Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz): The lowest class was awarded to officers and soldiers who had displayed acts of bravery, courage, or exceptional service on the battlefield.
Commander’s Cross (Komturkreuz): The next higher class of the order was awarded to officers who had demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic skill, or distinguished service in combat.
Grand Cross (Großkreuz): The highest and most prestigious class of the Military Order of Maria Theresa was reserved for generals, field marshals, and other high-ranking military leaders who had achieved extraordinary accomplishments or held positions of great responsibility.

The Military Order of Maria Theresa Design

The badge of the order is a gilt, white-enameled cross. The central disc bears the coat-of-arms or national flag of Austria, surrounded by a white ring bearing the motto “Fortitudini” (“For Courage“).

The star of the order is a silver faceted cross of the same shape as the badge, with a wreath of green-enameled oak leaves between the arms of the cross. The central disc is the same as the one on the badge.

The ribbon is red-white-red, inspired by the national flag of Austria.

By class:

Recipients of the Knight’s Cross were entitled to wear a medal consisting of a Maltese cross with a central medallion depicting the profile of Empress Maria Theresa surrounded by a laurel wreath.
Recipients of the Commander’s Cross wore a larger version of the medal, often with additional embellishments such as oak leaves or swords to denote further acts of valor.
Recipients of the Grand Cross wore a significantly larger medal, often adorned with additional decorations and worn around the neck on a ribbon of crimson.

The Royal Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen

The Order of Saint Stephen was an order of knighthood named after Hungary’s most famous king, Stephen I, who reigned between 997 and 1038.

Time Period: Pre World War I
Institution: 1764
Country: Austria, Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia

The Order of Saint Stephen (or “Szent István rend” in Hungarian) was an order of knighthood founded by Maria Theresa in 1764 and named after Hungary’s most famous king, Stephen I, who reigned between 997 and 1038. Membership was available to various members of the Hungarian nobility.

Stephen I consolidated the monarchy, established of the medieval state of Hungary and adopted Christianity as the state religion. He was canonized by Pope Gregory VII in 1083 along with his son Imre. Saint Stephen is considered the patron saint of “Hungary, kings, the death of children, masons, stonecutters, and bricklayers.”

In 1938, Miklós Horthy took the rights and activities of Grand Master as Regent of Hungary, changing its name to The Royal Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen. The Order was terminated at the time of the proclamation of the Republic of Hungary in 1946, but recreated again in 2011 as the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen, and to this day remains the highest order in Hungary.

The Royal Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen Design

The Grand Cross

For ceremonial purposes, a full set of crimson and green robes, lined with ermine, were prescribed (or a sash for every-day wear). A collar of gold was worn about the neck and shoulders, with the badge of the Order suspended from the collar. During the waning days of the monarchy, a less formal option was also authorized: a miniature of the breast star that could be affixed to the center of the ribbon of an ordinary knight’s cross and was worn on the left breast with other orders and military medals, in order of precedence.

Knights Commander

The informal wear of the miniature, gold, Crown of Saint Stephen was worn on an ordinary knight’s cross and worn on the left breast with other orders and military medals, in order of precedence.

Knights

Wore the badge of the Order, suspended from a tri-fold ribbon of crimson, edged in green, on the left breast with other orders and military medals, in order of precedence.

The Insigned Order of the Golden Fleece

The Order of the Golden Fleece is a Roman Catholic Order of chivalry founded by Duke Philip the Good in 1430 to celebrate his marriage.

Time Period: Pre World War I
Institution: 1430
Country: Spain, Austria, Hungary, Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Order of the Golden Fleece (or Orden del Toisón de Oro in Spanish) is a Roman Catholic order of chivalry founded in Bruges by the Burgundian duke Philip the Good in 1430, to celebrate his marriage to the Portuguese princess Isabella.

Having had only 1,200 recipients ever since its establishment, the Spanish Order of the Golden Fleece has been referred to as the most prestigious and exclusive order of chivalry in the world, both historically and contemporaneously. Unlike any other distinction, the Golden Fleece is only granted for life, meaning it must be returned to the Spanish Monarch whenever the recipient deceases.

The choice of the Golden Fleece of Colchis as the symbol of a Christian order caused some controversy, not so much because of its pagan context, which could be incorporated in chivalric ideals, as in the Nine Worthies, but because the feats of Jason, familiar to all, were not without causes of reproach. The bishop of Châlons, chancellor of the Order, rescued the fleece’s reputation by identifying it instead with the fleece of Gideon that received the dew of Heaven.

Today, two branches of the Order exist, namely the Spanish and the Austrian Fleece; the current grand masters are Felipe VI, King of Spain, and Karl von Habsburg, grandson of Emperor Charles I of Austria, respectively.

The Prohibition on Belonging to Other Orders

Non-royal knights of the Golden Fleece were forbidden to belong to any other order of knighthood. This rule was a strict and fundamental tenet of the order’s regulations. This prohibition was intended to uphold the exclusivity and prestige of the Golden Fleece, ensuring that membership in the order remained a singular honor and distinction.

By forbidding non-royal knights from joining other orders of knighthood, the Order of the Golden Fleece sought to emphasize the special status accorded to its members. It aimed to prevent dilution of the order’s significance and to maintain a sense of unity and loyalty among its knights.

This rule also served to reinforce the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among the members of the Golden Fleece. By prohibiting external affiliations, the order fostered a strong bond among its knights, who shared a common commitment to upholding the ideals and values of chivalry.

The Order of the Golden Fleece Medal Design

Surrounding the central image of the Golden Fleece are various symbols and motifs that hold significance within the order’s tradition. These may include heraldic elements such as crowns, crosses, and fleur-de-lis, as well as symbolic animals like lions and eagles. These symbols represent the virtues and values upheld by members of the order, including loyalty, faith, and nobility.

The badge of the Order, in the form of a sheepskin, was suspended from a jewelled collar of firesteels in the shape of the letter B, for Burgundy, linked by flints; with the motto “Pretium Laborum Non Vile” (“No Mean Reward for Labours”) engraved on the front of the central link, and Philip’s motto “Non Aliud” (“I will have no other”) on the back.

Overall, the design of the Order of the Golden Fleece medal is steeped in tradition and symbolism, reflecting the esteemed history and heritage of one of Europe’s oldest and most illustrious orders of chivalry.

Famous Members of The Order of The Golden Fleece

King Philip IV of Spain: Philip IV was the Spanish monarch during the 17th century and a prominent member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. He played a significant role in the politics and affairs of Europe during his reign.
Emperor Charles V: Charles V, also known as Charles I of Spain, was one of the most powerful rulers of the 16th century. As the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, he wielded immense influence and was a key figure in European politics and warfare.
King Henry VIII of England: Henry VIII, infamous for his six marriages and his role in the English Reformation, was also a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. His reign had a profound impact on English history and the wider European stage.
Emperor Maximilian I: Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 until his death in 1519, was a patron of the arts and a key figure in the Renaissance. He expanded the influence of the Habsburg dynasty and played a significant role in shaping the politics of his time.
King Louis XIV of France: Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, ruled France for over 72 years and was one of the most powerful monarchs in European history. His reign was characterized by lavish court life, artistic patronage, and military conquests.

Category: Hungary