Orders and Knighthood in Imperial Germany?

[landsknechte]

Being someone who hasn’t really had much of a chance to study knighthood this side of the Protestant Reformation, a question comes to mind when I see references to different “orders” in amongst various Imperial German medals and ribbons. Were recipients of [for example] the Saxe-Ernestine House Order or the Saxon St. Henry Order considered “knights” in terms of whatever social privilege that might bring with it?

--Chris

[Daniel Krause]

That is no short to answer.

Some Orders requested nobility to receive it. (Mostly the very old House Orders and Orders of knighthood like the Bavarian Order of St.George)
Some Orders brought Nobility to the Recipient. (some of the "modern" Orders created in the Napoleon time) - for example the Bavarian Military Max Joseph Order made a recipient to a "Ritter von ......."
Some Orders did nothing like this.

Best regards

Daniel

[landsknechte]

That is no short to answer.

Some Orders requested nobility to receive it. (Mostly the very old House Orders and Orders of knighthood like the Bavarian Order of St.George)
Some Orders brought Nobility to the Recipient. (some of the "modern" Orders created in the Napoleon time) - for example the Bavarian Military Max Joseph Order made a recipient to a "Ritter von ......."
Some Orders did nothing like this.

Best regards

Daniel

What about the two I cited as examples (ones I have represented in ribbon bars that I own)?

Any good sources that you could point me at in this department?

Thanks,
--Chris

[Daniel Krause]

So a holder of the St.Henry or the Ernestine Order was "Knight of that Order" but not in the terms of nobilisation. Both Order are "modern" Orders for Merits.

Really to confirm everything like this You have to read all the statutes of the different Orders.

There were also some privileges for recipients of high military Orders, for example that Guards had to present Arms in front of the Recipient or that a Order gave a higher Rank in the Court Hierarchy.

Best regards

Daniel

[landsknechte]

Thanks

[jani_tiainen]

Is there any reference available which would have statutes of Imperial German Orders and perhaps lesser awards e.g. for gallantry...translated in English

How about in German, is there any book, which would cover more than one order or one state - with statutes?

Jani

[Rick Research]

No!