THE ORDER LEOPOLD
(The grade of Great Cross)
It belonged to King Charles I
Texts: Tudor MARTIN Photo: George NICA, Tudor MARTIN
Instituted on January 8th 1808 by Emperor Francis I of Austria, on the day of his wedding to archduchess Ludovika of Austria-Modena, in honour of his father, Leopold II. The order was meant to repay the civil and military services brought to the emperor and the state, scientific merit, and outstanding achievements useful to the community. In its beginning it spanned three classes: 1. The Great Cross, 2. Commander, and 3. Knight. Later, in 1901, Clasa I was created, situated between the Great Cross and Commander. Both the Great Cross and Class I were worn with a sash and plate, differentiated only by size. Those who received the order had a right to various aristocratic titles (Knight – hereditary nobility, Commander – the title of baron, Great Cross – the title of private counselor), until the year 1884, when this right was revoked. On the heads side of the insignia, in the central medallion, there were the initials FJA (Franciscus Imperator Augustus), in gold, on a red background. On the tails side, there was the caption OPES REGNUM CORDA SUBDITORUM (The Feats of Kings, the Joy of Subjects). The order’s motto was INTEGRITATI ET MERITO (Integrity and merit). It also entailed a very elaborate uniform which, with the passing of time, went out of use. Aesthetically and heraldically, it is considered in Austrian records to be the most well-executed Order. The sash was red with white edges.
