Order of the tower and sword

Large chain of orders (GCol), star for the grand cross (GC) and miniature of the order of the tower and sword

Order class of knights

The Order of the Tower and the Sword ( pt. Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada ) was founded by King Afonso V of Portugal in 1459. Renewed on May 13, 1808 and given new statutes in 1832, 1917, 1929 and 1962, it is still awarded today by the Portuguese President , who is the Grand Master of the Order.

Order classes

The medal is awarded in five classes:

Order decoration

The decoration is a white enamelled, five-armed cross with a round golden central shield within a blue border. It is studded with balls at its cross points. The obverse showed a sword in an oak wreath . An open book can be seen on the back. The left page of the book is decorated with the Portuguese coat of arms . On the blue border in gold letters the motto Valor, Lealdade e Mérito (bravery, devotion and merits) in front and PELO REI E PELA LEI on the back .

For holders of the knightly class the cross was in silver, for all others in gold. The cross hangs on a tower and is surrounded by a green oak wreath.

Ribbon

The order chain , which is worn exclusively by the Grand Master, consists of towers and swords. The ribbon of all classes is dark blue.

Known porters

see: Bearer of the Tower and Sword Order

literature

Paul Ohm Hieronymussen: Handbook of European Orders in Color , Universitas Verlag, Berlin 1966
Arnhard Graf Klenau: European Order from 1700 , Klenau-Verlag, Rosenheim 1978, ISBN 3-921566-05-3

Web links

Information on the website of the Portuguese President


Heads of state	Banda das Três Ordens (Band of the Three Orders)
Military Merit Order	Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada (Order of Tower and Sword) Ordem Militar de Cristo ( Order of Christ) Ordem Militar de Avis (Military Order of Avis) Ordem Militar de Sant'Iago da Espada (Military Order of St. James of the Sword)
National medals	Ordem do Infante D. Henrique (Order of the Infante Dom Henrique) Ordem da Liberdade (Order of Freedom)
Civil Merit Order	Ordem do Mérito (Order of Merit) Ordem da Instrução Pública (Order of Public Education) Ordem do Mérito Empresarial (Order of Merit to Agriculture and Commerce)
Dynastic orders	Ordem de Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Vila Viçosa (Order of Our Lady of the Conception of Vila Visiosa) Ordem da Rainha Santa Isabel (Order of St. Isabella) Ordem de São Miguel da Ala (Order of the Wing of St. Michael)
Former	Banda das Duas Ordens (Band of the Two Orders) Ordem do Império (Order of the Empire)