Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/316

 (PRINCIPALITIES). HOHENZOLLERN-HECHINGEN AND HOHENZOLLERN-SIGMARINGEN.

DECORATIONS OF HONOUR.

1. The Cross of Honour, was founded on the 1st January, 1842, conjointly by the two Princes (Frederick and Charles), of the above Principalities.

They divided it into four classes :

a. Cross of Honour, first class, with the crown. (Plate 44, No. 1).

b. Cross of Honour, second class, without the crown.

c. Medal of Honour of gold, with the crown (No. 2).

d. Silver Medal of Merit (No. 3.)

The badge consists: for the first class, of an octagonal gold cross with black edges, and coated with white enamel. The middle of the cross is white enamelled, and contains the letters in monogram: 'F. and C.' the initials of the founders. The blue enamelled ring round the middle contains, in golden characters, the legend: ‘Für Treue und Verdienst’ (For loyalty and merit), and is surrounded by a laurel wreath, The reverse shows, on a similar centre, the arms of Hohenzollern. Above the cross is seen the crown in gold.

For the second class, of the same cross, but without the crown.