Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/16

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DECORATIONS.

In connection with the Order is a gold and silver Medal of Merit. The impression on it is the same as on the former, viz.: 'Albert der Bar, reg. 1123—1170,' (Albert the Bear, reigned from 1123 to 1170), on the obverse; and " Fiirchte Gott und scheue Niemand ' (Fear God and no one besides), on the reverse. (Plate 2. Tab. I. Nos. 4 and 5).

To the branch of Anhalt-Koethen specially, belong— 1. The Initial Decoration, founded by the late Duke Ferdinand. The initial was originally an 'F,' but, since the accession of Duke Henry in 1830, it has been changed into an 'H.' The decoration is set in brilliants, and is presented for long faithful service. It is worn round the neck, suspended by a ribbon of white and green colours; and has only one class.

2. Medal of Merit, Loyalty, and Attachment. (Pl. 3. Tab. II. Nos. 8 and 9.) It was founded in 1835 by Duke Henry, and is divided into two classes: Gold and Silver. It is worn suspended by a white watered ribbon with a green stripe near each edge.

3. The War Medal for the campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815 (No. 10). It was founded in 1819, by Duke Ferdinand Frederick, and distributed amongst the troops who were engaged in one or all of the battles of those campaigns. It is of iron, with the initial 'L' (that of ' Louis,' the then reigning Duke) on the obverse; and the legend, 'Den Vaterland's Vertheidigern 1813, 1814 und 1815' (To the defenders of the Fatherland, 1813, 1814, and 1815) on the reverse.

It is worn suspended by a white ribbon with four narrow green stripes (No. 7).

The Anhalt-Dessau branch possesses (besides the one common to all three) the 'Cross of Volunteers for the campaigns of 1813, 1814 and 1815.' (Tab. II. No. 10). It was bestowed in 1823 by Duke Leopold Frederick on all those who