Order of the holy Hermenegild
The Order of the Holy Hermenegild (Real y Militar Orden de San Hermenegildo) is a Spanish Order of Military Merit donated by King Ferdinand VII of Spain on November 28, 1811, but not activated until July 10, 1815. It was named after St. Hermenegild , the son of the Visigoth king Leovigild .
Historical religious classes
The order had three classes:
- Grand Cross with the title of Excellence
- officer
- Knight
The conditions were different. Depending on the length of service (40, 25, 10-year-olds) and for the corresponding rank, certain order classes were only possible. The king could make exceptions. At least 10 years of religious and uninterrupted service entitle a graded pension according to class. The number of pensioners was reduced in 1852 and limited to 60 grand crosses, 160 commander and 270 knights.
Order decoration
The medal is a gold, eight-pointed, white enameled cross with silver rays. Golden beads have been attached to the tips. The round central shield is blue with a gold border and in front is the golden equestrian image of the holy king with a green laurel wreath. An inscription as motto of the order surrounds the sign: "Premio a la constancia militar" , on the back, the lapel "F. VII. “The founder initials.
Ribbon and way of wearing
The ribbon is crimson with a wide white stripe on both edges. The grand crosses carry the cross from the right shoulder to the left hip on a ribbon on a sash . An eight-pointed silver scale star is part of it. He lies on the cross and is surrounded by a laurel wreath on top. The second class wears a star and a cross. The III. Great decorated in the buttonhole.
  Grand Cross (Gran Cruz) |
  Commandeur (Encomienda con Placa) |
  Officer (encomienda) |
  Knight (cruz) |
Remarks
- ↑ Description of all orders, the images of which are included in the color print work: “The orders, coats of arms and flags of all regents and states”. Leipzig 1883–1887