domains which his Order possessed in Portugal to the Knights of Aviz, who, in return, adopted the rules, statutes, and authority of Calatrava; the union was, however, broken off in 1385, and as neither the efforts of the Kings, nor even the decision of the Council of Basle were able to prevent the complete solution of the union, the Order stood, since 1550, with a few interruptions during the reign of Philip II., under an Administrator, and the independent authority of the Kings of Portugal, who are Grand Masters of the same.
In 1789, Queen Mary converted it into an Order of Merit, and divided it into three classes: six Knights of the Grand Cross, (who wear the decoration (Tab. I. No. 4) across the right shoulder towards the left hip by a broad green ribbon); forty-nine Commanders (who wear the same decoration round the neck) and an unfixed number of Knights (who wear the decoration (No. 5) fastened at the button-hole.) The first two classes wear, besides, on the left side of the breast the star (No. 3).
At that period, the Order was in possession of eighteen villages, and forty-nine prebends, or benefices, while its annual revenue exceeded 80,000 ducats.
THE MILITARY ORDER OF ST. JAMES OF COMPOSTELLA, OR THE SWORD.
This Order originated in Spain. After Henry of Burgundy had captured the province of Portugal from the infidels, and made it an independent state, his son, Alphonso Henriquez, who completed the conquests of his father, thought it advisable to withdraw the Portuguese Knights of the Order from the authority of the Spanish Grand Masters. The separation from Spain was confirmed by Popes Nicolaus VI. and John XXII.
