Order of Wurttemberg Crown

Orden der Württembergischen Krone

The Royal Great Order of the Golden Eagle and the Civil Order of Merit of the Wurttemberg Crown were instituted on 23 September 1818 by King Wilhelm I, based on Orders instituted by King Eberhard IV Ludwig in 1702 and amended by King Friedrich I in 1807.
Order in 3 classes. In 1918 the order was expanded to 4 classes.
The order's cross was a white enameled Maltese cross with gold lions in its four angles. The lions came as standard for the grand cross and Komtur, but were only on knight's crosses as a special honour. On the upper arm, a golden crown was secured by means of two gold bands, from which - except in the honour cross in stuck form - the cross hung. The medallion was gold and blue on the front, and in the middle were the golden initials of king Frederick I and a crown - on the back was a golden crown, on red. All grades could since 1866 be awarded with swords. With the changes of 1890, the swords were only granted in awards of a higher class. Since 1892 the lowest grades (1870-1886 knight 2nd class, after that honour-cross) also had the special honours of golden lion and (since 1864) lion added.