Order of Elizabeth and Theresa

Order of Elisabeth and Theresa
Elisabeth-Theresien-Orden
Elisabetho-Theresian Military Foundation
Elisabeth-Theresianische Militärstiftung
Medal of the Order
Awarded by
Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary
Type State Knighthood Order
Motto MARIA THERESIA PARENTIS GRATIAM perennem VOLUIT
Day 19 November
Eligibility see conditions
Awarded for female headship but male recipients
Status Dynastic order, nowadays
Sovereign Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza
Grades (w/ post-nominals) Knight
Established 1750, Vienna
Precedence
Next (higher) Order of Love for one's Neighbour
Next (lower) Order of Elizabeth
Ribbon bar of the Order

The Order of Elisabeth and Theresa (in German: Elisabeth-Theresien-Orden) was a decoration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, created in 1750 by Empress Consort Elizabeth Christine in her testament. It was later revised in 1771 by Empress Maria Theresa, as the Elizabetho-Theresian Military Foundation (Elisabeth-Theresianische Militärstiftung) .

The order must not be mistaken with the Order of Elizabeth, established by Franz Joseph I of Austria in 1898 to commemorate the memory of his late assassinated wife "Sissi".

History

This section is the translation of the corresponding dutch article Elisabeth-Theresia-Orde

It was created in Vienna in 1750 by Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, widow of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, in her testament, to reward the deserving officers who distinguished in battles. Originally the number of awarded officers was hardly 20. Those had to serve faithfully in the army of the House of Austria for 30 years and having reached at least the rank of colonel and had to be inscribed in the Court Council of War, but without distinction of fatherland, birth or religion. The Order was granted with 16,000 florins of annuity to be divided among the recipients. There was originally three grades of annuity  : 1000, 800 and 500 florins.


Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, the founder of the Order &
Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress, the reviser.

In 1771 Maria Theresa settled a maximum number of 21 members, after having rejected several petitions to modify the access to the Order. The yearly pension amount was also revised: six times 853 florins and 76 kreuzers, eight timles 683 florins and zeven times 426 florins and 85 kreuzers (100 Kreuzers = 1 Florin). The religion of the recipients didn't mater. The catholic officers were expected to pray three times Pater Noster and Ave Maria for the founder and the reigning sovereign. The Protestants were free from this but they were expected to offer each year three ducats to the Invalides Institute.

In the 18th century, there was no retirement pension yet, there were lifelong institution like this one. In France, a similar institution was an Institute founded as the Order of Military Merit (France) by Louis XV in 1759.

The Order was cancelled by the Austrian Republic in 1918.

Rank and insignia

The Order only has one rank : Knight.

The decoration consists of a star of gold with eight triangle, half-red half silver enameled, supported by the imperial crown, charged with an oval shield in the heart with the initials of the two empresses (ECMT for Elizabeth Christine Maria Theresa), all topped by a crown, surrounded by the legend: MARIA THERESIA PARENTIS GRATIAM perennem VOLUIT.

The ribbon of the Order is black. The decoration was hanging from a tringular knot of that black ribbon on the left chest.

Feast day

The religious feast with knights was determined on the 19 November, the day of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. It was never celebrated, but in the Augustinian Court Church in Vienna, a solemn High Mass was held.

Bibliography