Grand Cross Explained
Grand Cross is the highest class in many orders, and manifested in its insignia.[1] Exceptionally, the highest class may be referred to as Grand Cordon or equivalent. In other cases, there may exist a rank even higher than Grand Cross, e.g. Grand Collar. In rare cases, the insignia itself is referred to as the "grand cross".[2]
In international relations, many times the class of Grand Cross is typically reserved for royalty, heads of state and equivalent. Sometimes a holder of the highest class or grade are referred to as "Commander Grand Cross", "Knight Grand Cross", or just "Grand Cross".
In the United Kingdom, the rank of "Knight Grand Cross" or "Dame Grand Cross" allows the recipient to continue to use the honorific "Sir" (male) or "Dame" (female) as a style before his or her name. The knighthood is initially conferred, as in other countries, at the lower rank of the order, typically "Knight Commander".
In Bavaria, the royal military order established by Maximilian Joseph consisted of three classes with the Grand Crosses ranking above the Commanders and Knights.[3] The Grand Cross title has also been used to confer military merit. For instance, the Grand Duchy of Baden awarded Prince Rupprecht a Grand Cross after World War I.[4]
From 1870 to 1918, the German Empire also set the Grand Cross as the highest rank of the Order of the Iron Cross, followed by the first and second classes.
Denomination "Grand Cordons"
The orders in which the highest rank (or second after "Collar") is named "Grand Cordons" include the following orders:
Grand Cross of the (highest of the state)
Grand Cross of the Order of Ipiranga (highest of the state)
Former
- : Grand Cross of the Order of Columbus (Abolished as a state order in 1891)
- : Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Highest, cancelled as national order in 1890, since then claimed as house order)
- : Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Saint Benedict of Avis (2nd, cancelled as national order in 1890, since then claimed as house order)
- : Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Saint James of the Sword (3rd, cancelled as national order in 1890, since then claimed as house order)
- : Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Cross (4th, cancelled as national order in 1891 and reestablished as the National Order of the Southern Cross in 1932)
- : Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Dom Pedro I (5th, cancelled as national order in 1890, since then claimed as house order)
- : Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Rose (6th, cancelled as national order in 1890, since then claimed as house order)
- : Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Kapiʻolani (3rd, became obsolete in 1893)
Gallery
Illustration of typical insignia, as in the case of the Legion of Honour of France.
See also
Explanatory notes
- Book: Hieronymussen. Poul Ohm. Lundø. Jørgen. Karnila. Christer. Eurooppalaiset kunniamerkit värikuvina. Europæiske ordner i farver. 1968. WSOY. Porvoo. fi. 466954328. 14–15.
- Burke, B. The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations. Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2016.
- Book: Carlisle, Nicholas. A Concise Account of the Several Foreign Orders of Knighthood: and Other Marks of Honourable Distinction. 2012. The Naval and Military Press. 9781781514290. Dallington, East Sussex. 67.
- Book: Zabecki, David. Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History [4 volumes]: 400 Years of Military History. 2014. ABC-CLIO. 9781598849806. Santa Barbara, CA. 1629.
References
Footnotes
- Book: Hieronymussen. Poul Ohm. Lundø. Jørgen. Karnila. Christer. Eurooppalaiset kunniamerkit värikuvina. Europæiske ordner i farver. 1968. WSOY. Porvoo. fi. 466954328. 14–15.
- Burke, B. The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations. Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2016.
- Book: Carlisle, Nicholas. A Concise Account of the Several Foreign Orders of Knighthood: and Other Marks of Honourable Distinction. 2012. The Naval and Military Press. 9781781514290. Dallington, East Sussex. 67.
- Book: Zabecki, David. Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History [4 volumes]: 400 Years of Military History. 2014. ABC-CLIO. 9781598849806. Santa Barbara, CA. 1629.
Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and Sword