Order of St. Jacob of the Sword

Regla de la orden y cavalleria de S. Santiago de la Espada / co (n) la glosa y declaracion del Maestro Ysla (1547).

The Order of St. Jacob of the Sword ( Portuguese Ordem de Sant'Iago da Espada ) was created in 1290 from a Portuguese split from the Spanish or Castilian order of the same name. Pope Alexander III had confirmed this knightly order in 1175, the grand master's title was divided and bound to the crown of the two countries. It was not until the secularization of Queen Maria I in 1789 that the order was transformed into a military order. Finally, in 1862, it was converted into an Order of Civil Merit.

Order classes

The order now had three classes, headed by the Grand Master and the Grand Commander. The classes were limited to 6 grand crosses, 150 commons and an unlimited number of knights. On October 31, 1862, the order was reorganized. After that, in addition to the Grand Master and the Grand Commander, he should have 8 grand crosses, 3 grand officers, 30 commanders, 50 officers and 70 knights. At the same time the conversion into a civil merit order takes place.

Order decoration

The decoration of the order is very similar to the Spanish decoration . It consists of an enamelled, gold-rimmed cross of Christ with cross arms ending in lilies and a point downwards. Above the pointed lily end cross is an eight-pointed star with golden rays. On a central shield surrounded by a green wreath is a red heart.

Ribbon and way of wearing

The monochrome violet ribbon was worn by the Grand Cruisers as a sash over the right shoulder to the left side of the hip. The Komtur class wore the award around their necks, knights as a breast star. A star is part of the award. It consists of silver rays arranged in a circle with a gold-framed middle field on top, the content of which shows a red enamelled cross. Above the middle field lies a red heart on the silver rays.

The order was also used in Brazil . With an imperial decree of September 9, 1843 it was declared a secular order, but it was repealed on March 22, 1890.

Web links

Commons : Order of St. Jacob of the Sword - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

^ ^A ^b F. A. Brockhaus in Leipzig, Berlin and Vienna, 14th edition, 1894-1896
↑ 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. NN , Leipzig, 1883-1887

[Brock-1] A ^b F. A. Brockhaus in Leipzig, Berlin and Vienna, 14th edition, 1894-1896

[2] 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. NN , Leipzig, 1883-1887