Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/597

274 nomination of a foreigner requires the unanimous consent of the three courts.

The three reigning Dukes are Superintendents of the Order; they usually meet, for the transaction of business, once in every two or three years, by rotation in their respective capitals.

The badge of the Order consists:

a. For the Knights of the Grand Cross, of an octagonal white enamelled cross encased in gold, and with small gold balls at the points. The angles of the cross are filled out with gold lions, two of which are red, and the other two black. The round middle of the obverse contains the effigy of Ernest the Pious, in gold, surrounded by a blue enamelled ring with the legend in gold: 'Fideliter et Constanter.' The ring is, in its turn, encircled by a green oaken wreath, intertwined with golden ribbons. The middle of the reverse contains the Saxe family crest of the rue garland, surrounded by a blue enamelled ring, indicating in golden letters the date, '25th December, 1833.' This ring is also in its turn encompassed by a green oaken wreath, intertwined with golden ribbons. Above the two upper points of the cross is a gold crown. Within the upper arm of the cross is inscribed, in golden letters, the name of the founder, in whose line and state the decoration is each time conferred.

In the crosses presented to foreigners, the oaken wreath round the blue ring is omitted, while in those presented to military persons for distinguished valour, &c., the laurel wreath is now substituted for the oak, and the space between the pales of the cross is filled with two crossed swords.

The badge is worn across the right shoulder towards the left hip, by a red watered ribbon about three inches wide, with a green stripe near the borders.

The Knights of the Grand Cross carry, besides, on the