Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/476

Rh a decisive battle, the conquest of an important position or place, or the brave defence of a fortress.

By a royal order of the 5th May, 1813, the names of the heroes who had fallen in the war, and were consequently deprived of the reward of the cross, were to be inscribed on tables adorned with the decoration, and hung up for public show and honour in the chapel or church of the regiment to which they belonged.

By a decree of the 3rd August, 1841, a pension for life was granted to a portion of the surviving owners of the Iron Cross, with the black ribbon, namely:

Of the first class, to twelve seniors of the rank of officers, and to a similar number of the seniors of the rank of sergeants, and under, 150 thalers each (£22 10s.); of the second class, to thirty-six seniors of the rank of officers, and to a similar number of the rank of sergeants and under, 50 thalers each (£7 (10s.).

THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN.

The general outlines of the history of that Order, and the sketches of its insignia are given under, and we may add here its history and position as regards Germany in particular.

The Grand Prior of Germany, availing himself of a schism in the Order, in 1319, asserted the independence of his sixty-seven Commanderies, and declared himself their independent Prince. His successors were, in 1546, nominated German Princes of the Empire, with seat and vote in the Council of the Diet, and made sovereigns of their Principality, Heitersheim, with the towns, Ginglingen, Bremgarten, Griesheim and Schlart, under the immediate protection of