Order of the Black Eagle

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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.

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.

[edit] 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.

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 Europa. 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 if they were not in the nobility Only the aristocracy could hold this Order.