Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/591

 GRAND DUCHIES OF THE SAXE-GOTHA BRANCH OF THE ERNESTINE LINE.

(COBURG-GOTHA, ALTENBURG, MEININGEN-HILDBURGSHAUSEN.)

THE FAMILY ORDER OF SAXE-ERNEST.

This Order (Plate 80. Tab. I. Nos. 1, 2, 3) was restored conjointly by the Dukes Frederick, Ernest, and Freund of the Saxe-Duchies, in remembrance of the line of Saxe-Coburg Altenburg which became extinct in 1825, as well as in honour of the common ancestor of their illustrious houses, Duke Ernest, the Pious. The Order was originally founded as a reward for the distinguished services of high State functionaries by Frederick I. Duke of Saxe-Gotha and Altenburg, eldest son of Duke Ernest, in1690, under the name of the 'Order of German Integrity,' and with the motto: 'Fideliter et constanter.' In 1825, as just stated, it was renewed under its present name, and the statutes then underwent various modifications.

The Order now consists of four classes, Knights Grand Cross, Commanders, first and second classes, and Knights.

In connection with it are the decorations of the Cross and Medal of Merit.

All the Princes of the Ducal line, as given at the head of the article, are born members of this family Order, though they are not actually received as Knights of the Grand Cross before the completion of their eighteenth year, when they are, in