Orders of the Russian Empire

The merits of cavaliers from the highest aristocracy and generals were determined at the personal discretion of the monarch, which did not create problems due to the existence of only three orders before the reign of Catherine II.

The first general law on orders of the Russian Empire was the "Regulation on Russian Imperial Orders" approved by Paul I on the day of his coronation (April 5, 1797), which for the first time officially established the hierarchy of imperial awards and created a single body to manage award production – the Russian Cavalier Order (Cavalier Society).

In the Middle Ages, the word "order" meant a spiritual–knightly organization, each member of which had a distinctive sign – a cross of a certain shape and color, cut out of fabric and sewn onto knightly clothing.

In Rus', in the early Middle Ages, the grivna, a neck bracelet forged from precious metal, began to serve as a reward.

At the end of the 17th century, the award became a "gold" one – a medal in the form of a coin with the image of the coat of arms of Moscow.

"Golden" were sewn onto the sleeve of a caftan or a hat, and worn on a chain around the neck, like portrait medals in Western Europe.

A star with fabric inserts was embroidered on a leather backing with thick silver or gilded thread.

Until 1826, salary as a holder of a Russian order of any degree gave the recipient the right to receive hereditary nobility (not a sufficient condition, but a good reason).

By decree of May 28, 1900, those awarded the Order of the 4th Degree of Saint Vladimir received the rights only of personal nobility.

After the October Revolution, the awarding of orders and medals of the Russian Empire in Soviet Russia was discontinued.

[13] By a decree of the People's Commissar of Property Vladimir Karelin, published on January 22, 1918, the Chapter of Orders was abolished.