Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/304

 HESSE (GRAND DUCHY).

THE ORDER OF LOUIS.

Was founded in 1807, by the Grand Duke Louis I, as a reward for civil and military merit, for all classes, high and low. It was first distributed by him on St. Louis day, (24th August), the namesday of nearly all the members of the Grand Ducal House. But as the founder had published neither its statutes nor its special title, it passed by various names such as: Order of Merit, Order of Louis, &c., until the 14th December, 1831, when the Grand Duke Louis II. thought proper to promulgate the statutes and modify them in one particular point, with regard to the star, which, instead of being as formerly the same with the Commanders of the first class, and the Knights of the Grand Cross, was now superseded for the former class by a silver star with four points, in which is embroidered the cross of the Order.

The Order is now called the 'Order of Louis,' and is divided into five classes; Knights of the Grand Cross, Commanders, first and second classes; and Knights first and second classes. The number of the members in each class is unlimited. In connection with the Order are, also, gold and silver Medals of Merit. The badge consists, for the Grand Cross, of an octagonal black cross set in gold, with red edges and enamel. The centre of the red enamelled obverse contains the letter 'L,' and within the white ring round it are seen the words in golden characters: ' Für Verdienste' (For