Order of the Silver Eagle
The Order of the Silver Eagle (Jarmenic: Hoher Orden des Silberadlers) is the highest order of chivalry conferred by the Archking of the Agnomain. The Order was founded on 1 Erzmonat 1530 by King Lothar IV of Jarmenia, and was for centuries the highest order of chivalry in that kingdom, before it was re-established as an Agnomain order on 18 Erzmonat 1891 by Günther I on the occasion of his coronation as Oberkönig of the newly-formed Agnomian State.
The statutes of the Order were first published in Bärenheim on 1 Erzmonat 1530. In 1891, the statutes were revised and republished in Waldestadt. Membership was originally restricted to men of noble birth and limited to 24 living members, before the number was doubled in 1891 to 48 and the requirement of nobility for admission was removed in certain circumstances.1 The Order has only the single class of Ritter (Knight), but may be awarded "mit der Kette" ("with the chain") or "ohne Kette" ("without chain"), in the sovereign's discretion. Members of the Order are referred to as Ritter des Silberadlers ("Knights of the Silver Eagle")2 and are entitled to use the post-nominal initials "RS."
The badge of the Order is a silver Zorovian Cross enameled in red. Between the arms of the cross are 4 gold-crowned silver eagles set with rubies. The cross measures 3 orlach across and is 3 orlach in height. The obverse central medallion is enameled in black bearing the image of a gold crowned silver eagle. The Order's founding year "1530" appears in gold on the lower arm of the cross. The reverse central medallion is a gold disc bearing the monogram of the Sovereign, and the year of the Sovereign's coronation appears in silver on the reverse of the lower arm of the cross.
The badge is worn either suspended from a broad sash (the "Ribbon") or from a silver-linked collar (the "Chain"). The Ribbon of the Order is a red moiré sash edged in black, worn from the right shoulder to the left hip, where rests the badge. If awarded with the Order, the Chain is worn around the neck resting upon the shoulders, with the badge suspended therefrom, centered on the chest. The Chain is comprised of 24 jeweled silver links in the form of gold-crowned heraldic eagles.
The Star of the Order (the "Great Star") is eight-pointed with faceted rays of silver, displaying the Badge centered on a black-enameled background, surrounded by a white-enameled ring bearing the Motto of the Order: dem König dienen ("to serve the king").
The Habit of the Order consists of a black velvet mantle lined in red, fastened with silver rope strings, with the Badge of the Order embroidered upon the left breast. The velvet head covering, known as the Trachtenhut, is low and broad-brimmed, with a plume of white ostrais feathers and a button of the Badge of the Order. Adopted in the 17th century, it replaced the cowl that was worn during the Middle Age.
Membership in the Order of the Silver Eagle was originally reserved for "sovereigns and princes of ruling houses who have rendered special service to the king." It has since been expanded to include "heads of state, senior civil and military officials and other worthy figures appointed by the Oberkönig of the Agnomain." By longstanding tradition, codified in the Staatshandbuch ("State Handbook") of the Agnomain, the Order of the Silver Eagle is conferred upon all male members of the Royal Family on their 15th birthday. They are presented with the Chain of the Order upon reaching the age of 21. From its founding in 1530 until 1891 the Order was conferred a total of 263 times. Since 1891, the "new" Order of the Silver Eagle has been conferred 59 times. There are currently 38 Knights of the Silver Eagle living throughout the world.
The investiture ceremony takes place in the chapel of the Royal Residence at Schloss Linderhof and is attended by all members of the Order. The initiate kneels upon a stone known as the Adlerstein, which has been used in the ceremony since at least 1653. As the Sovereign, assisted by two Knights, confers the Insignia of the Order, the Grand Master recites the Admonition:
Overview
The statutes of the Order were first published in Bärenheim on 1 Erzmonat 1530. In 1891, the statutes were revised and republished in Waldestadt. Membership was originally restricted to men of noble birth and limited to 24 living members, before the number was doubled in 1891 to 48 and the requirement of nobility for admission was removed in certain circumstances.1 The Order has only the single class of Ritter (Knight), but may be awarded "mit der Kette" ("with the chain") or "ohne Kette" ("without chain"), in the sovereign's discretion. Members of the Order are referred to as Ritter des Silberadlers ("Knights of the Silver Eagle")2 and are entitled to use the post-nominal initials "RS."
Insignia
The badge of the Order is a silver Zorovian Cross enameled in red. Between the arms of the cross are 4 gold-crowned silver eagles set with rubies. The cross measures 3 orlach across and is 3 orlach in height. The obverse central medallion is enameled in black bearing the image of a gold crowned silver eagle. The Order's founding year "1530" appears in gold on the lower arm of the cross. The reverse central medallion is a gold disc bearing the monogram of the Sovereign, and the year of the Sovereign's coronation appears in silver on the reverse of the lower arm of the cross.
The badge is worn either suspended from a broad sash (the "Ribbon") or from a silver-linked collar (the "Chain"). The Ribbon of the Order is a red moiré sash edged in black, worn from the right shoulder to the left hip, where rests the badge. If awarded with the Order, the Chain is worn around the neck resting upon the shoulders, with the badge suspended therefrom, centered on the chest. The Chain is comprised of 24 jeweled silver links in the form of gold-crowned heraldic eagles.
The Star of the Order (the "Great Star") is eight-pointed with faceted rays of silver, displaying the Badge centered on a black-enameled background, surrounded by a white-enameled ring bearing the Motto of the Order: dem König dienen ("to serve the king").
The Habit of the Order consists of a black velvet mantle lined in red, fastened with silver rope strings, with the Badge of the Order embroidered upon the left breast. The velvet head covering, known as the Trachtenhut, is low and broad-brimmed, with a plume of white ostrais feathers and a button of the Badge of the Order. Adopted in the 17th century, it replaced the cowl that was worn during the Middle Age.
Membership
Membership in the Order of the Silver Eagle was originally reserved for "sovereigns and princes of ruling houses who have rendered special service to the king." It has since been expanded to include "heads of state, senior civil and military officials and other worthy figures appointed by the Oberkönig of the Agnomain." By longstanding tradition, codified in the Staatshandbuch ("State Handbook") of the Agnomain, the Order of the Silver Eagle is conferred upon all male members of the Royal Family on their 15th birthday. They are presented with the Chain of the Order upon reaching the age of 21. From its founding in 1530 until 1891 the Order was conferred a total of 263 times. Since 1891, the "new" Order of the Silver Eagle has been conferred 59 times. There are currently 38 Knights of the Silver Eagle living throughout the world.
Investiture
The investiture ceremony takes place in the chapel of the Royal Residence at Schloss Linderhof and is attended by all members of the Order. The initiate kneels upon a stone known as the Adlerstein, which has been used in the ceremony since at least 1653. As the Sovereign, assisted by two Knights, confers the Insignia of the Order, the Grand Master recites the Admonition:
To the honor and the glory of the Good God, ever mindful of his love for humankind, and for thy renown, bind to thyself this most noble Badge; wear it as the symbol of the ancient and illustrious Order never to be forgotten or laid aside, that hereby thou mayest be admonished to be courageous, and having undertaken a just cause, thou mayest stand firm, fight valiantly and successfully conquer; that having vanquished thine enemies, both of body and soul, thou mayest receive not only the accolades of this transient world, but be crowned with the laurels of Eternal Victory.
-- Admonition of the Order of the Silver Eagle
Each new Knight takes but one Oath:
To the honor and glory of the Good God, ever mindful of his love for humankind, I solemnly swear loyally to keep and observe the statutes of the Order of the Silver Eagle as far as within my loyal ability I am able.The newly-invested Knight then rises, gives his thanks to the Sovereign and receives the congratulations of fellow Knights present.
-- Oath of the Order of the Silver Eagle
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1 Since 1732, sons of the Sovereign have been considered "supernumerary," and not counted against the numerical limit.
2 Foreign members of the Order are called Fremde Ritter des Silberadlers ("Stranger Knights of the Silver Eagle").
1 Since 1732, sons of the Sovereign have been considered "supernumerary," and not counted against the numerical limit.
2 Foreign members of the Order are called Fremde Ritter des Silberadlers ("Stranger Knights of the Silver Eagle").
Order of the Silver Eagle
Hoher Orden des Silberadlers
National Flag of the Agnomain
Type:
Royal/State Chivalric Order
Established:
1 Erzmonat 1530
Countries:
Kingdom of Jarmenia
1530 - 1891
Polity of the Agnomain
since 1891
1530 - 1891
Polity of the Agnomain
since 1891
Royal House:
Fürstenstaufen
Motto:
dem König dienen
("to serve the king")
("to serve the king")
Ribbon:
Black moiré edged in red
Eligibility:
sovereigns, princes of sovereign houses, heads of state, senior civil and military officials and other worthy figures appointed by the Oberkönig of the Agnomain
Sovereign:
Günther II, Oberkönig of the Agnomain
Grand Master:
Georg Friedrich, Crown Prince of Jarmenia
Grades:
Ritter
(Knight)
(Knight)
Designatory Letters:
RS
Precedence
Next (higher):
None
Next (lower):
Order of the Teutic Knights
Ribbon of the Order
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