Ordre royal et militaire de Saint-Louis

How the order is worn (from left to right: Chevalier, Commandeur, Grand-Croix)

Order cross

The Ordre royal et militaire de Saint-Louis was founded on April 5, 1693 by King Louis XIV of France and awarded for military service.

Order classes

The order consisted of three classes and the number of members was limited:

• Grand Croix to 8 members
• Commandeur to 28 members
• Chevalier

Order decoration

The sign of the order is a white, eight-pointed cross with lilies in the corners, Saint Ludwig in the center shield and the inscription LUD (OVICUS) M (AGNUS) IN (STITUIT) 1693 (donated by Ludwig the Great 1693). On the lapel a flaming sword in a green laurel wreath with the inscription BELL (ICAE) VIRTUTIS PRAEM (IUM) (For bravery in war).

In 1791 the order was canceled and in 1814 Louis XVIII. reintroduced. In 1830 the order was finally repealed.

Web links

Commons : Ordre royal et militaire de Saint-Louis  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint-Louis - Information and list of 20,000 holders of the Order (French)
• Histoire de l'Ordre royal & militaire de Saint-Louis - History of the Order (French)