Order of Albert the Bear

GAN001 Hausorden Albrechts des Bären

Order was instituted on 18 November 1836 by three dukes of Anhalt, Henry, Duke of Anhalt-Köthen, Leopold IV, Duke of Anhalt, and Alexander Karl, Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg as a joint House Order.
Order was awarded for civil and military merits.
Order was awarded in five classes: Grand Cross, Commander with Star, Commander, Knight I Class and Knight II Class plus gold and silver medals. The Knight Second Class was added in 1854. In 1864, Leopold Friedrich, who by virtue of the extinction of the other branches of the family now had become Duke of Anhalt, altered the statute to provide that the order could be granted with swords. On 29 April 1901, in honor of the 70th birthday of Duke Frederick I, a crown was added to all classes of the order.