German Awards - 4th Class Cross

The order was established on August 12, 1815 by Prince Regent George, the future King George IV. It was established and awarded both in England and in Hanover, since both kingdoms ruled in personal union until 1837. The order consisted first of 3 classes: a large cross, a commander, a knight and an attached medal. In 1841, the order was expanded to 5 classes. The new classes are now the Big Cross, Commander 1st and 2nd. Class, Knight, Cavalier Cross (4th Class) Silver Cross and Medal. In 1849, the Medal of Merit disappeared. Knightly crosses could now be awarded for special merit with a bow. For military merits he was awarded the Order with swords. The award of the first 3 classes to knights was associated with the rights of the nobility and provided access to the court. A large cross could only be received by persons in the lieutenant general rank, 2nd class only commanders in the rank of major general, 3rd class was not tied to any rank. After the defeat of Prussia, the order has not been awarded since 1866. The name Guelph comes from the progenitors of the Welfs and became the eponym of the order. The reverse is known for 2 different medallions, EAR 1839 (rarer) and GR 1815. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1, 1999.

An eight-pointed cross made of silver with small balls at the tips of the crosses and polished edges. The inner sides are shaded. Front and back sides with a large raised round medallion. Between the cross sleeves, the lion on the upper half of the order shouts up and the lion on the lower half of the order shouts down. In the upper cruciform part there is a stylized sheet. At the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder, the crown is soldered. Through this upward ring of tape.

Front side:

• The medallion is surrounded by a wide green enameled border of bay leaves.
• Inside there is a blue enameled hoop with the inscription: - NEC - ASPERA - TERRENT - (Adversity is not
scare)
• Below are 5 ray stars.
In
• a closed field on a green-red background, a white galloping honnoveran horse.

Downside:

• The medallion is surrounded by a wide green enameled border of bay leaves.
• It has a silver hoop with a Roman numeral: - MDCCCXXXIX - 1839
In
• a closed field on an orange enameled background, a rough monogram - E - A - R -.
• Sitting on the round middle part of the crown, protruding to the green edge.

Tape:

• blue width 40 mm.

.