Commander (order)

The Italian government's orders are exceptional to the international standard in that they do not officially have special ranks or decorations for females (Dames).

The rank of Commendatore is also bestowed in several Italian dynastic orders of the royal houses of Savoy, the Two Sicilies, Parma, and Tuscany.

Il Commendatore is also a character in Mozart's Don Giovanni, and was additionally commonly used to refer to Enzo Ferrari.

In German, Komtur (derived from Latin: commendator) was a rank within military orders, especially the Teutonic Knights.

In the State of the Teutonic Order, the Komtur was the commander of a basic administrative division called Kommende (also Komturei).

Grosskomtur (or Großkomtur, 'Grand Commander') was one of the highest ranks within the Knights responsible for the administration of the Order and second-in-command after the Grand Master.

Traditionally, the analogous rank for ladies is Dama di Commenda ('Dame commander'), but today the word Commendatrice is sometimes used.

The third most senior rank in each order is Companion (CB, CSI, CMG, CIE), Knight (KH) or Commander (CVO, CBE).