Order of the Four Emperors

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The Order of the Old Nobility, also called Order of the Four Emperors (German: Alter Ritterorden vom Heiligen Georg oder vom Alten Adel of Orden des Alten Adels oder der vier Kaiser), is an old family order of knighthood, established on 6 December 1768, of the Counts of Limburg Stirum, sovereign rulers of the counties of the same name in Westfalia.

With this Order were honoured the four Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, namely Henry VII, Wenceslas, Sigismund of Luxemburg and Charles IV. Twelve commende with incomes of 500 gulden were attached to the Order. Knights and Commanders gave at their nomination, a substantial amount of money or a territory as commende to the Order. They could still enjoy the revenues of such territories, but left it to the Order afterwards.

In 1806 the Counts of Limburg Stirum were mediatized and they lost their rule over their counties. Ackermann writes in 1855 that "the Order in quiet should still exist".

The Order had three grades:

Grand Cross
Commander (picture)
Knight

The eight-pointed cross was covered with white enamel and in the light blue medaillon was a gold representation of St George on his horse, fighting a golden dragon. On the arms were written the letters “H-S-W-C” in gold, in honour of the four Emperors. The ruban was grey-blue with yellow borders.

In Jörg Nimmerguts catalogue another model of Knight cross can be found with flames on the arms of the cross, a crown and the letters "P-P-D-E". In the medaillon is an angel with a child in the hand.