Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/145

Rh Illustration 6, represents the reverse of the insignia. The gold chain worn on solemn occasions by the Knights of the Grand Cross (No. 3) consists alternately of the crown or lion, and the initials in monogram L. R. (Leopoldus Rex).

The insignia of the military members of the Order are distinguished by two crossed swords of gold (with the Knights only of silver), fixed, with the first class, in the centre of the star, adorned with the motto of the Order and the Belgian Lion, and with the three other classes below the crown above the star.

By decree 8th November, 1832, the administration of the Order is transferred to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

THE IRON CROSS AND MEDAL.

The foundation of this Order had, in fact, preceded the former, which was conferred, in 1835, upon sixteen hundred and two Belgian citizens who had taken an active part in the Revolution, many of whom had previously received the iron medal (Plate 18. Tab. II. No. 9). The form and inscription of the Cross are represented Tab. II. No. 7 (front), and No. 8 (reverse). It is worn suspended by a red watered ribbon, with black and yellow borders. The above-mentioned medal shows upon the obverse the Belgian Lion with the inscription, 'Aux défenseurs de la patrie' (To the defenders of the fatherland), and upon the reverse, the year 1830 in the centre of the sun, which is encompassed by the arms of the nine Belgian provinces, and the inscription, 'Indépendance de la Belgique' (Independence of Belgium).

MEDAL FOR DEEDS OF SELF-DEVOTION OR SACRIFICE.

A private society in one of the provinces of the Netherlands, in 1825, first distributed medals for deeds of self-devotion. The