Awards of Germany - Order of St. George - Cross of the Order

The Order of St. George was established as the Order of the Kingdom of Hanover on April 23, 1839 by King Ernst Augustus. The reason for this foundation was the completed personal union of the royal houses of Great Britain and Hanover. The order was established in only one class. He was awarded for distinguished service to the Kingdom of Hanover and as a mark of special royal grace. The motto of the order is "Nunquam retrorsum" ("Never come back"). The Grand Master of the Order was the King himself. The terms of the award provided, among other things, that only noble persons who were at least in the rank of lieutenant general would be awarded. With the exception of notables such as the king's sons and brothers, the order could only be awarded after the age of 30. The number of knights was to be limited to 16, not counting the knights of the royal house. The Knights of the Order of St George were also Knights Grand Cross of the Guelph Order. The practice of awarding until 1866 showed that in addition to royal highnesses, highnesses and majesties, only a few other persons became knights of the order. These included Count Karl von Alten, Prince Sayn-Wittgenstein, Prince Metternich, Count Radetzky, Prince Windisch-Grätz and Prince Bentheim. After 1866, 4 more people were admitted to the knighthood. After the annexation by Prussia, further wearing of the order was allowed. In 1903, the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the last to receive a knighthood. Among the order insignia, in addition to the order cross for dressing, was a breast star. It was embroidered until 1860, after which metal stars with smooth or shiny rays were made. Notable manufacturers include Hofjuwelier Hossauer, Berlin, Hofjuwelier Carl Zell, Hannover and Carl Büsch, Hannover. Very few insignia survive. Crosses and pectoral stars vary in size and weight. The number of awards before 1866 is listed as 78. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1, 1999.

Eight-pointed cross made of gold. The tops of the crosses are equipped with small balls. Cruciform hands are golden burgundy, and enameled inside are dark blue. Front and rear with superimposed round medallions. Between the cross sleeves there is one golden lion with raised paws. 2 upper ones are turned up, lower ones - down. At the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder is a rigidly connected, open, five-inch, golden royal crown. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.

Front side:

• A gilded medallion with a wide gold hoop inside and out.
• Between the raised edges are raised transverse ribs. The inside of the medallion is enameled.
• The enamel painting depicts hl. Georg in armor with a red cloak on a white horse.
• The latter fights with a spear with a green dragon lying on the ground.

Downside:

• A gilded medallion with a wide gold hoop inside and out.
• Between the raised edges are raised transverse ribs. The inside of the medallion is golden.
In the
• golden middle part are intertwined letters - EAR -
• (For Ernst August Rex)

Tape:

• purple 126 mm wide.

Photos of www.Medalnet.net