German Awards - Order of William Cross Holders

The Order of William was established on August 20, 1851 by Elector Friedrich Wilhelm. The Order of the House of the Golden Lion, donated by Elector Wilhelm in 1818, was transformed with the addition of a class of holders. The lower classes of the Order of the House now belonged to the Order of William. The Order of the Golden Lion from 1851 was again classy. The Order of William consisted of 5 classes: the Grand Cross, the commander of the 1st and 2nd. Class, Knight's Cross and Cavaliers Cross. The motto is "VIRTUTE ET FIDELITATE" ("For Virtue and Fidelity"). Persons were issued who, for at least several years faithfully and without censure, served the Elector's house or distinguished themselves with special and outstanding achievements for the benefit of home and country. Religion was not counted. To reach the next upper class, possession of the lower class was a prerequisite. Having entered the order, the cross of the cavaliers was depicted here as an order of the 4th class.
The Grand Cross award was tied to at least the rank of lieutenant general, the 1st class commander's cross could be awarded from the rank of major general. The commander of the 2nd class and the knight's cross were not tied to any specific rank. The order was subject to return both at the death of the lent and upon promotion to another class. In the case of the Holders' Cross, the award number is assumed to be 160. Known crosses with a silver and gold census in the medallion, slightly different in size and weight. Source: Jörg Nemmergut "German Orders and Insignia until 1945" Volume 1, 1999.

Eight-pointed cross made of silver. Front and back with an oval middle shield superimposed. The cruciform shoulders have a raised smooth edge. Internal, a short distance from the edge, another raised, smooth line running along the contours of the edge. The spaces and insides of the crosses are finely granular. Between the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder, the usual eye with a ribbon ring is soldered.

Front side:

• Oval central shield with a silver rounded border. Outside is a wide ring.
• The latter is domed, enameled with red and bounded inwardly by a silver ring.
• It has a golden solution: - VIRTUTE - ET - FIDELITATE - below one point.
In
• a surrounded field on a blue enameled background is a golden crowned lion.
• It rises and moves to the left.

Downside:

• Oval central shield with a silver, rounded, inward beveled edge.
• The enclosed field is enameled in blue. It has a crowned silver monogram - W K -.

Tape:

• crimson red 28 mm wide, edges 1 mm, side stripes white 3 mm.

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