Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/754

Rh THE MILITARY ORDER OF MERIT.

This Order was founded by Duke Charles Eugene, of Würtemberg, on the 1 1th February, 1759, as a reward for officers who had distinguished themselves in the seven years' war just then terminated. He gave it the name of the Military Order of St. Charles. It was renewed in November, 1799, by the Elector, afterwards King Frederick I. (who died in 1816), and was, by him, entirely re-modelled and re-named in 1806, when the electorate was raised to a kingdom. By the new statutes, the Order was designated as a reward for merit in war, or for twenty-five years' faithful service in time of peace. The King nominated the Knights at the recommendation of the Chapter, and the members were divided into four classes, of unfixed number, several of whom were to be in the receipt of considerable pensions, viz., twenty of the first class, of 2000 florins each (£200), four of the second class, of 1200 florins, twelve of the third class, at 1000 florins (£100), and fifty-two of the fourth class, of 300 florins each (£30). Until 1817, the pensions, paid from the funds of the Maltese commanderies, (amounting to 24,000 fl.) were fixed at 1200, 800, 600 and 300 fi. respectively.

In 1818, the Order was once more re-modelled, when it received new statutes, by which it was provided:

1. That henceforth it shall count only three classes: Knights of the Grand Cross, Commanders and Knights.

2. That two more classes shall be added to it, the decoration of which is to consist of gold and silver medals of military merit.

3. The badge to consist, for the first and second classes, of