Order of Saint Elizabeth

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For other uses, see Order of Elizabeth (disambiguation).

Order of Saint Elizabeth
St. Elisabethenorden
Badge and ribbon of the order
Awarded by
Electoral Palatine Electorate of Bavaria, Kingdom of Bavaria
Typeladies order
Royal houseHouse of Wittelsbach
EligibilityCatholic religion, seize quartiers
Statusdefunct
FounderElectress Elisabeth Auguste
GradesDame
Honorary Dame
Statistics
First induction1766
Last induction1976
Total inductees191 Dames
31 Honorary Dames
Precedence
Next (higher)Royal Order of Saint Hubert
Next (lower)Royal Order of Max Joseph
EquivalentRoyal Order of Saint George for the Defense of the Immaculate Conception

Ribbon bar of the order

The Order of Saint Elizabeth was an chivalric and charitable order for women in the Electoral Palatinate and the Kingdom of Bavaria.

History[edit]

The Order of Saint Elizabeth was founded by Countess Palatine Elisabeth Auguste of Sulzbach, the first spouse of Charles Theodore, Elector of the Palatinate, in honor of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and as a charitable institution for the poor on 18 October 1766. It was confirmed on 31 January 1767 by Pope Clement XII. Candidates had to proof their and their husbands noble descent until their great-grandparents (seize quartiers). Originally, it was to six ladies, additionally to ladies of princerly houses, the Hofmeisterin (equals the Mistress of the Robes) and ladies-in-waiting of the Grand Mistress. The nomination took place either on Easter or on Saint Elizabeth’s Day (19 November), the entrance fee was four ducats.

In 1873, the fee was increased to 500 marks for Bavarian ladies and 1.000 marks for foreigners, while the proof of nobility was lowered to the grandparents. Additionally, the Grand Mistress was enabled to appoint Honorary Dames, i. e. princesses consort, who were dispensed from the fee.

Insignia[edit]

The badge was a white enameled cross, representing on one side Saint Elizabeth dispensing charity to the poor, and on the other E A, the initials of the founder. It was worn on the left breast by a blue ribbon with a red border, with inverted colours for Honorary Dames.

Grand Mistresses[edit]

The Grand Mistress was appointed by the Elector, later by the King. She had to be a member or the wife of a member of the House of Wittelsbach.

  1. 1766–1794 Countess Palatine Elisabeth Auguste of Sulzbach
  2. 1794–1831 Princess Maria Amalia of Saxony, widow of Charles II August, Duke of Zweibrücken.
  3. 1831–1851 Princess Augusta of Bavaria, sister of Ludwig I of Bavaria
  4. 1851–1864 Archduchess Auguste Ferdinande of Austria, wife of Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria
  5. 1872–1918 Maria Theresa of Austria-Este, wife of Ludwig, Crown Prince and later King of Bavaria

Members[edit]

Sources[edit]

  • Tagore, Rajah Sir Sourindro Mohun. The Orders of Knighthood, British and Foreign. Calcutta, India: The Catholic Orphan Press, 1884

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nieuws Van Den Dag (Het) 02-10-1900
  2. ^ Nieuws Van Den Dag (Het) 02-10-1900
  3. ^ Nieuws Van Den Dag (Het) 02-10-1900

External links[edit]

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