Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/629

290 hat with upturned flap, trimmed with gold and adorned with a red silk cockade and three large feathers, two red and one blue in the middle. The actual or professed members wear besides a mantle, neck-chain and sash. The mantle is of blue watered silk interspersed alternately with embroideries of golden lilies, and the initials of the founder: 'F. Q.' (F. within a Q); it is lined with white taffetas and ermine stripes, and tied at the front of the neck by two long cords of gold and blue and white silk. The sash above the coat is of blue watered silk with red stripes near the borders, embroidered like the mantle:

The neck-chain (Plate 86, Tab. III. No. 15) is composed of crowns, lilies, mural-towers, and the letter 'F.' with flags at the back.

With this chain, the Grand Cross Knights adorn their shields of arms. They receive the title ' Excellency,' have free access to the King, like the officiating Chamberlains, take on solemn occasions their place on the right side, close to the steps of the throne, and have the privilege of the Spanish Grandees of the first class, to stand covered, in the presence of the King, on all occasions. A general who has gained a complete victory in a battle is, de jure, entitled to the Grand Cross.

The Commanders wear the decoration round the neck, without the star on the breast. On solemn occasions they occupy a place next to the Knights of the Grand Cross, and are by the statutes entitled to pensions. The claims to that class rest on the merits of having so vigorously maintained the defence of a place as to compel the enemy to raise the siege, or, vice versa, of having taken a place, despite the obstinate defence of the garrison.

The Knights suspend the decoration at the button hole, and place themselves, on solemn occasions, next to the Commanders.