Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/753

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DECORATIONS.

Two Commanders, and Four Knights.

THE ORDER OF FREDERICK.

This Order was founded by King William, as reward for military and civil services.

The Order has only one class, that of Knights.

The badge is a gold, white-enamelled cross, with rays of bright gold in the angles. The middle of the obverse shows a round field of dull gold, and within it, in relief, the effigy of King Frederick. Around this middle is a ring, of dull gold and enamelled blue, with the legend : ‘ Friedrich K6nig von Wiirtem- berg,’ in golden letters. The middle of the reverse shows, upon white-enamelled ground, the words: ‘Dem Verdienste’ (To merit), while the blue-enamelled ring round it contains the motto of King Frederick: ‘ Gott und mein Recht’ (God and my right) (Plate 98, Tab. I. No. 4).

The cross is accompanied by an octagonal star, the four main rays being embroidered in silver, and the intervening rays, in gold. ‘The middle is of dull gold, with the effigy of King Frederick, surrounded by a_ blue-enamelled ring, with the above motto: ‘ Gott und mein Recht.’

The colour of the ribbon is royal blue.

The cross is worn by a broad ribbon, across the right shoulder, towards the left hip, and the star upon the left breast.

The Order confers personal nobility, and gives free access to Court, but nothing more.

As in the previous Order, the nomination of Knights rests solely with the King.