The Order of Saint Michael (Bavaria)

• Time Period: Pre-WW1
• Institution: 29 September 1693
• Country: Germany (Kingdom of Bavaria)

The Order of Saint Michael (or Orden zum Heiligen Michael in German) also known as Royal Merit Order of Saint Michael (Königlicher Verdienstorden vom heiligen Michael) was founded by Joseph Clemens of Bavaria, then Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, as a Military order in 1693.

The Royal Bavarian Order of St. Michael was originally instituted as an award for Catholics. After falling into disuse near the beginning of the 19th century,
it was revived in 1857 by King Ludwig I of Bavaria, as a merit order in three classes to honor devotion to the crown by both Bavarians and foreigners. The Order underwent various further statutory changes in 1855, 1887, 1894, and finally in 1910.

The Order of Saint Michael Design

The Order badge of the first three classes consists of a golden, azure-blue enameled cross with eight wide points, surmounted by a king’s crown.

In the middle of the obverse, prominently portrayed in gold, is St. Michael in martial armor with the motto QUIS UT D~US on his shield; on the reverse appears the word VIRTUTI.

On the Order badge for the two divisions of the Second Class the figure of St. Michael is surrounded on all sides with golden rays and the four arms of the cross bear the gold letters P.F.F.P. denoting PRINCIPI FIDELIS FAV~RE PATRIAE.

The Order badge for the Fourth Class is the same as for the Third, with the exception that it is of silver, as are the crown and the figure of St. Michael.

The ribbon of the Order is dark blue for two-thirds of the width and one-third rose colored, with the latter color divided equally on the two outside edges. The Grand Cross alone is worn on a ribbon which is rose colored for two-thirds of the width, and one-third dark blue, with the dark blue on both outside edges in equal proportions.