Order of chivalry

These orders would often retain the notion of being a confraternity, society or other association of members, but some of them were ultimately purely honorific and consisted of a medal decoration.

The original ideal lay in monachus et miles (monk and knight), who in the order – ordo (Latin for 'order' / 'status') – is dedicated to a Christian purpose.

The knightly orders were characterized by an order-like community life in poverty, obedience and chastity, which was linked with charitable tasks, armed pilgrimage protection and military action against external and occasionally internal enemies of Christianity.

This enabled the monarchs and princes to create a reliable household power independent of the church and to combine their court life with knightly virtues.

[3] In the course of time, many orders of knights have been dissolved due to a lack of people or the field of activity has changed.

While the Knights Templar was not re-established, some orders were reactivated after the end of World War II and the fall of the Iron Curtain.

[4] In Central Europe, for example, the Order of St. George, whose roots also go back to the so-called "last knight" Emperor Maximilian I, was reactivated by the House of Habsburg after its dissolution by Nazi Germany.

Most orders created since the late 17th century were no longer societies and fellowships of knights[1] who followed a common mission but were established by monarchs or governments with the specific purpose of bestowing honours on deserving individuals.

Following the example set by the French Legion of Honour, founded by Napoleon, most multi-level European orders comprise five ranks or classes.

In orders following the example set by the French Legion of Honour, the two highest classes also wear a star (or plaque) on the chest.

In certain countries with feudal heritage the higher ranks (usually at least the Grand Cross) may have vestments proper to them, including a robe or mantle and a hat.

"[23] Exactly what makes one order legitimate and another self-styled or false is a matter of debate with some arguing that any monarch (reigning or not) or even the descendants of such can create an order while others assert that only a government with actual internationally recognized authority has such power (regardless of whether that government is republican or monarchical in nature).