heart against our Sovereign Lady the Queen, but shall discover the same to her. So help me God." The oath being taken by the elect knights, before whom the sovereign shall appoint, they may actually wear the badge and other ornaments belonging to the order; and in regard we have not as yet named a person to be chancellor of the said order, and that there is no great seal belonging thereto, we do therefore ordain that our signet of the said order, which is to be in the custody of our secretary to the said order, shall serve for any warrant or order that we shall think fit to grant or emit, for the nominating any of the knights brethren or officers, or any other thing relating to the said order. The royal chapel of our palace of Holyrood-House, to be the chapel of the order in time coming. That no alteration of the habit, jewel, collar, badge, or other ornaments, belonging to the said order, or of the using or wearing of them, be offered to her majesty by any of the brethren, without a concurrence of the major part of them. Given under our royal hand and signet of our court, at St. James's, the 31st day of December, 1703. Year of our reign the second. A. R. By her majesty's command, "CROMERTIE." "We do hereby order and require all who are, or shall be admitted, as knights brethren of the most ancient and most noble order of the Thistle, to pay the fees according to the above distribution, upon their being admitted to the said order. Given under our royal hand and signet of the said order, at our court of St. James's, the 29th day of October, 1705, and of our reign the 4th year. This is a true copy of the statutes and orders signed by her majesty, examined and compared with the originals by me, "DAVID NAIRN, Sec. nob. ord. Cardui.” King George I. on 17th of February, 1714-15, was pleased to confirm the statutes signed by Queen Anne, as above mentioned, with the addition of several more, amongst which, was that of adding rays of glory to surround the whole figure of St. Andrew, which hangs at the collar; and though, from the time of the Reformation to the year 1714-15, both elections and instalments had been dispensed with, his majesty was graciously pleased to ordain for the future, that chapters of election should be held in his royal presence; to which end he ordered the great wardrobe to provide the knights brethren and officers of the order with such mantles as the statutes of the said order appointed. It was likewise declared, that the thistle in the middle of the star to be worn on the coat or cloak, be green, heightened with gold, upon a field of the same metal, and that the circle round the thistle and field be green, and the motto in letters of gold. The collar, which the knights wear upon the day of their grand feast and other extraordinary occasions, is made of gold, consisting of thistles and sprigs of rue, enamelled vert, (being the two ancient symbols of the Scots and Picts,) appendant to which is the image of St. Andrew, irradiated, bearing before him the cross of his martyrdom. See Pl. 12, fig. 5 and 8. The star is a cross saltier, surmounted by a star of four points, all of silver, adorned upon the centre with a green fillet, bordured with gold, and lettered of the same, containing this motto, Nemo me impune lacesset; and in the centre is a thistle proper, heightened with gold, upon a field of the same metal. See Pl. 12, fig. 6. The ordinary insignia worn by the knights is the star, which is embroidered on their left breast, a green ribbon over their left shoulder, (like the knights of the Garter,) appendant to which is the jewel, bearing the image of St. Andrew, with his cross before him, in a circle of gold, enamelled vert, with the motto of the order. See Pl. 12, fig. 9. The knights are never installed now; but the ceremony of investiture is as follows: On the day appointed for the investiture, his majesty signs the several instruments for that purpose, which are generally presented to the sovereign by the gentlemanusher of the green rod, in the absence of the secretary of the order. The new knight is then called into the royal presence, being preceded by one or two of the knights companions, and supported on each side by a knight companion, one of the Scotch heralds (supplying the place of the gentleman-usher of the green rod) carrying the sword of state. At the entrance, a low reverence is made, a second about the middle, and on being advanced up to the sovereign, a third. The new knight being presented by the two supporters, and kneeling down, the herald draws the sword, and, kneeling, delivers it to the sovereign, who thereupon confers the honour of knighthood upon the newly-elected companion, who kisses his majesty's hand; green-rod then administers the oath, and having received the ensigns of the order, kneeling, presents the same to the sovereign, upon a velvet cushion, who puts the ribbon over the left shoulder of the newly-elected knight companion, upon which he has again the honour of kissing his majesty's hand; after this the knight rises, and, making a low reverence, withdraws in the same manner as he entered. The number of knights of this order was increased from twelve to sixteen, by royal warrant of his present majesty, George IV. at his coronation. THISTLE OF BOURBON. See OUR LADY. THREE GOLDEN FLEECES, instituted by the Emperor Napoleon of France, 15th of August, 1809. It was to have been composed of one hundred grand knights, four hundred commanders, and one thousand knights; the imperial prince alone being a knight by birth; and princes of the blood were not to be be admitted until they had served one campaign, or completed two years service in the imperial army. Grand dignitaries and ministers, after having conservé le portfeuille for six years, and ministers of the state, after twenty years service, were to have been entitled to this order. No other persons were to be admitted unless engaged in warfare, in which they had been thrice wounded; and to obtain the rank of grand knight, they must have had a chief command, or been engaged in some general action in the imperial, or grand army. The decoration of commander was to have been conferred upon captains, lieutenants, and sub-lieutenants, of regiments forming such army, and who had distinguished themselves by their bravery. The insignia of knight was to be given to sub-officers and soldiers, for heroic conduct. The Emperor was to have been grand master, and to nominate the knights on the 15th of August, annually, in an assembly of the grand knights; but the nomination never took place, and the decorations, which were to have been worn around the neck by the grand knights only, and from the button-hole by the commanders and knights, were not determined upon. TOWER AND SWORD, an order of Portugal, first instituted in 1459, by Alphonso V. who created twenty-seven knights, the number of years which he had attained when he took the possession of Fez from the Moors. The prince regent, under the name of John VI. restored this order at Rio de Janeiro, 8th November, 1808, upon the removal of the royal family, and the consequent change of the seat of government to the Brazils. The king assigned to this order all the privileges and prerogatives granted to other orders; and it was designed to recompense the services and fidelity of Portuguese, as well as strangers, during the war in support of the kingdom. The sovereign is grand master; the prince royal, grand commander; other princes are grand crosses; and the members are divided into two classes, the one effective, the other honorary. The number of effective commanders is eight; but the number of honorary commanders, as well as knights, is indefinite. The endowment of this order consists in the concession of lands made to it in the kingdom of Brazil. The badge is of gold, formed of a circular band, surmounted by a star of seven points, the eighth, or upper point, being covered with a tower, from the top of which it is suspended by a ring from a broad purple watered ribbon; on the centre of the badge is a wreath or crown of laurel, enfiled with a sword or cutlass, paleways, the blade being somewhat curved, surrounded with a fillet, upon which is inscribed, Valor e lealdade. See Pl. 13, fig. 5. It is worn by the grand crosses and commanders scartways from right to left; and from the button-hole by the knights. The grand crosses and commanders likewise wear a silver star of sixteen points, or double Maltese cross, the centre the same as the badge, the wreath of laurel vert, the sword argent, pommel and hilt gold, the fillet azure, edged with, and having the motto in letters of gold; upon the top of the fillet a tower of the same metal, projecting above the upper limb of the star. See TRUXILLO, a Spanish order, which received its appellation from the city of that name, but the time of its institution is uncertain. Guillim mentions the order to have existed in 1227; for one Don Arias Perez Dallego, then master of the order, took the city of Truxillo from the Moors, and there settled a brotherhood of knights and priests; but the badge, habit, and the rules oberved by them are unknown. Favin says the brotherhood of Truxillo joined with the order of Alcantara, by which means the memory of this order is lost. TUNIS, ORDER OF, supposed to have been founded by Charles V. in 1535, at the time when he re-established Muley Hassan on the throne of Tunis. The badge was, a cross saltier raguly, vert, enriched upon the centre with precious stones, suspended from a collar of gold, TUSIN, an Austrian order; but the time of its institution and the founder are both uncertain, although it is generally supposed that the Emperor Albert II. founded it 1562. The knights of this order are by some authors called Hungarian knights. The badge was, a plain cross, embroidered in green on the left breast of the knights' mantle, which was red. VASA, or WASA, a Swedish order, instituted in May, 1772, by Gustavus III. King of Sweden, the day of his coronation, to recompense artists, agriculturists, merchants, and manufacturers. The title is a Swedish word, signifying sheaf, and is likewise the name of a very ancient family, from which Gustavus I. descended, who came to the throne in 1523, the sheaf being a part of the family bearings. The order is composed of three classes, viz. six grand crosses, the king and the chancellor included, eight commanders, and fifty knights, in which number strangers are not included. The first pay 800 rixdollars, as fees of honour, and the commanders one-half of that sum; but the junior knights are exempt, the king discharging all their fees. The king, as grand master, nominates the knights; and persons may be admitted into the first class without previous admission into either of the others: and it seldom happens that those of the third class gain promotion. The collar of the order is of gold, richly chased and enamelled, composed of four garbs, or wheat-sheaves, eight shields of the arms of Sweden, (viz. azure, three ducal crowns or,) each regally crowned, and embellished with two caducei and as many cornucopiæ reversed, and four of the arms of Holsteiu, (viz. a shield, per fesse, argent and gules) between three nettle-leaves and as many passion-nails, all white, the whole joined with small chains of gold; to the centre is pendant a medal of gold, chased and pierced with a garb, as in the collar, encompassed with a fillet gules, inscribed, Gustaf. Den. Tredie. Instiktare, MDCCLXXII. See Pl. 15, fig. 12. This badge, upon ordinary occasions, is attached to a broad green watered ribbon, and is worn scarfways by the graud crosses; and by the commanders and knights from the neck. The grand crosses and commanders likewise wear, on the left side, a silver embroidered star of eight points; in the four angles, the arms of Holstein, as in the collar; and on the centre of the star a garb, ensigned with the regal crown of Sweden. master of the ceremonies of the order of the Seraphim, are attached to this order, in the same capacities. VENEZUELA. See DELIVERERS OF VENEZUELA. VIGILANCE. See WHITE FALCON. WHITE CROSS. See FIDELITY. WHITE EAGLE, an order in Poland, generally acknowledged to have been instituted in 1325, by Úladislaus V. surnamed Loctius, upon the marriage of his son, Cassimir the Great, with Anne, daughter of the Duke of Lithuania; but, from its short duration, no mention is made of it, not even by the historians of Poland. It was revived by Augustus, the second king of Poland, and Elector of Saxony, in 1705, to conciliate and attach to his interest the Polish nobility, whom he feared might favour the cause of Stanislaus, his competitor. Upon its revival, it was held in high estimation, and was conferred on the Czar, Peter the Great, and Grand Duke of Russia, and all the principal nobility of Poland. The badge of the order is, a gold cross of eight points, enamelled white; in the four principal angles are four large diamonds, in the midst of rays of gold: the cross on one side surmounted with a white Polish eagle, beak and claws of gold; and upon the other, or reverse, the king's cipher, with the motto, Pro fide, rege, et lege: the badge ensigned with an imperial crown, and which, upon ordinary occasions, is worn pendent to a broad sky-blue watered ribbon, scarfways over the right shoulder, and under the left arm; but upon great festivals it is attached to a collar, composed of double links of gold and eagles in white enamel. The knights also wear, on the left side of their outer garment, an eight-pointed star, of gold embroidery, the four central rays or points being somewhat longer than the others; and upon this star is embroidered, in relief, a cross pattée in silver, bordured red, bearing the motto, Pro fide, rege, et lege, in letters of gold, disposed upon the four limbs, from the principal angles of which issue as many rays of silver. For collar, badge, and star, see Pl. 14, fig. 9 and 10. The robes, which were assigned by the first founder, consisted of a sky-blue velvet mantle, lined with white satin, upon which was at first embroidered a white eagle, which was afterwards removed, and the star embroidered in its place. Under this mantle they wore a long surcoat of ponceau-coloured velvet, lined with white satin, with a cap, after the fashion of Poland, made of the same velvet. When Poland ceased to exist as a sovereign state, the order was for a time discontinued; but when the Emperor Napoleon created the Duchy of Warsaw, in the Constitutional Act of the 21st July, 1807, the Polish orders of knighthood were revived, and the King of Saxony declared Duke of Warsaw, and grand master of them. Since its submission to Russia, the orders of knighthood have been continued, and the Emperor Alexander is now grand master of this and the other Polish orders. It is composed of only one class, who are likewise knights of the order of St. Stanislaus. WHITE ELEPHANT, an order of Denmark, founded according to some historians, by Canute, the fourth King of Deumark, in 1190, when he marched in person against the Pagans, and it is said to have been renewed by Christian I. A. D. 1458; but the chronicles of the kingdom assert that it was instituted, in 1478, by Christian I. to commemorate and celebrate the nuptials of Prince John, his son, with the Princess Christiana, a daughter of the elector of Saxony; since which period it has flourished, undiminished in splendour, and is considered to rank with the first orders of knighthood in Europe. The number of knights is limited to thirty, besides the royal family, who are born knights of the order, but not admitted into it until they attain the age of twenty years; other knights must be thirty years of age before admission; all profess the Lutheran religion, and have been, at least, for eight days, knights of the order of Danebrog, although no other decoration can be worn with that of the elephant. The knights must not appear without the insignia of the order, under the penalty of twenty ducats. These statutes are not, however, rigourously enforced, as there are now fifty knights, and most of them wear the order of Danebrog in addition. Since 1808, the principal festival is on the 1st of January, but which was formerly observed on the third day of Pentecost. The collar of the order was, at first, composed of elephants and crosses, linked together; and from thence was suspended an image of the Virgin Mary, surrounded with glory, and holding the infant Jesus in her arms. But this badge and collar were afterwards changed, and the badge is now an elephant of gold and white enamel, with tusks and trunk of gold; on the back a tower, or castle, and upon the side of the elephant a cross of Danebrog, in diamonds. Upon the neck of the animal, is seated a Moor, in black enamel, holding in his right hand a spear of gold. See Pl. 14, fig. 7. This badge is suspended from a double gold ring; and upon ordinary occasions, attached to a rich broad sky-blue-coloured watered ribbon, worn scarfways over the right shoulder; but upon great festivals, it is worn upon the breast, suspended from the great collar of gold, composed of elephants and towers, placed alternately, the elephants being enamelled white, with tusks and trunks of gold, all linked together by a double row of chains. See Pl. 14, fig. 12. Upon the left side of the upper garment, the knights likewise wear a star of eight points, embroidered in silver, the four central points being somewhat longer than the angular ones; in the centre, an escutcheon of ponceau-coloured velvet, upon which is embroidered a cross of silver, the lower part of which is longer thau the other three; this is surrounded with a laurel crown, bordered with a narrow silver edging; and a fillet of silver encircles the whole. See Pl. 14, fig. 11. The robes of ceremony consist of a long ample mantle of crimson velvet, lined with white satin, the train of which is two yards long, and a knightly hood hangs down behind; the mantle is tied with tassels of silver and red silk intermixed. The vest and small clothes are of white satin, and the stockings of a pearl-colour. Upon the left side of the mantle, is embroidered the star before described. The hat is of black velvet, adorned with two rows of white ostrich's feathers. The king's mantle, as sovereign of the order, is lined with ermine, and a black plume of heron's feathers is placed in the midst of the white ones, by way of distinction; but it is the only difference perceptible between those of the sovereign and those of the knights companions. The motto of the order is, Magni animi pretium. WHITE FALCON, or OF VIGILANCE, founded the 2nd of August, 1732, by Ernest Augustus, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, to the end that those who were invested therewith might be encouraged, and disposed to avoid all manner of vice, and to exercise and maintain that virtue which is the chief object all orders of knighthood must especially have in view; and secondly, that the knights so invested should observe the strictest fidelity towards the Emperor of Germany, as the supreme chief of the Holy Roman empire, in honour of whom this order was purposely instituted. Those persons who are not under the guidance and governance of such principles cannot be admitted as knights companions. The badge consisted of an eight-pointed gold cross, enamelled green, and thereon was disposed a falcon of white enamel, its beak and talons of gold; between the four principal angles of the cross were rays, enamelled red, with the extremities of white enamel. The reverse of the cross is enamelled white, and the rays between the angles green; in the centre was the duke's name, represented by a cipher of E. A. upon blue enamel, surrounded with military trophies of gold, and upon the cross was the title of the order, L' Ordre de la Vigilance, and the motto, Vigilando ascendimus. The badge was surmounted by the ducal crown, by which it was suspended from a dark red, or ponceaucoloured ribbon, with a narrow embroidery of gold, and worn round the neck. The reason assigned for its appellation of the White Falcon, was, that the founder had especially in view the imperial eagle, which particularly decorates and characterises the arms of the emperor, and he was desirous that the knights companions of this order should adhere as faithfully to its interests, and to those of the august chief of the empire, as those birds are wont to adhere to and accompany each other; the falcon emblematically representing the candour, attachment, and vigilance of the knights companions towards their founder or grand master, upon every occasion. The five principal vows were as follow: 1. Each knight shall be faithful to God his Almighty Creator. 2. He must bind himself, as much as lies in his power, to practise every virtue, and to avoid all manner of vice. 3. He must endeavour to promote the prosperity and glory of the emperor; and, circumstances rendering it necessary and indispensable so to do, he must sacrifice even his blood and fortune to that end. 4. The knights companions shall live together in peace, harmony, fraternal concord, and unceasing amity; and upon all needful occasions they shall administer due assistance to each other. 5. They shall not neglect the poor and helpless, particularly distressed officers and soldiers who are in a state of indigence. The number of knights companions shall amount to twenty-four. This number shall be divided into princes, persons of high and illustrious birth, persons of ancient and honourable equestrian families, who are entrusted with eminent offices and employments in the civil or military line, and of gentlemen, who are of such noble descent, as, according to the princes of ancient chivalry, entitles them to measure their lances with those of the most renowned knights, and to dispute the prize in the justs and combats of tilt and tournament. When this order was instituted, it was solemnly and expressly ordained that, after the death of the founder, the serene chief of the Weimarian branch of the House of Saxony, shall never change or alter any of those rules which were then established, as already mentioned; and, in case this branch should become extinct, then is the future successor of any other branch most earnestly supplicated and conjured inviolably to preserve and maintain the original statutes and regulations in their full force, entire vigour, and pristine virtue. The feast day shall be kept annually upon that day which is observed as the anniversary, or birth-day of the reigning emperor; and each knight companion (although he cannot assist or be present at the ceremonies, which are practised on this occasion) shall be, nevertheless bound to the due observance thereof, by a performance of such works as tend "to the glory of God in the highest, peace on the earth, and good will towards men." As soon as a knight companion dies, his heirs must immediately notify that circumstance, and, without loss of time, transmit the ensigns of the deceased to the reigning duke. A chancellor and a secretary are the principal officers of this order; to the end and intent that all transactions relating thereto may be regularly registered, and that all acts and instruments respecting this equestrian body be ultimately deposited in the archives destined for that purpose. The premier minister of Saxe-Weimar shall always be invested with the office and dignity of chancellor, provided he can prove that he is of equestrian descent and extraction. Extract from the Statutes of the Order, translated from the Original, in Latin. The The form of the insignia will clearly appear from the account affixed to the beginning of the statutes, and the description of them may be read in the constitutions hereto annexed; but we cannot so far pass over the memorable symbol of the Order Vigilando Ascendimus, as not to submit it to examination in a few words. statutes seek their application from the very nature of the hawk, or principal symbol of our order, it being known to the amateurs of falconry that the hawk is always a faithful attendant of the eagle, and endeavours, with the greatest efforts, to follow in his flight that king of birds, as he is commonly called. Perpetual praise is therefore due to this imitation, kept up in this august order, by which the princes of the empire, and its other most faithful vassals, endeavour earnestly to follow the imperial eagle; and at the same time declare, with suitable expressions of veneration, their constant feeling of sincerity. For what can be conceived more glorious, than that so many powerful members of the body of German princes should emulously desire to be the hawk's attendant on the Romano German eagle; at once his indefatigable, and if it should appear necessary, strenuous defenders? Follow, therefore, all ye princes of the empire, equally the prop and ornament of Germany, the heroic example of the Saxe-Weimar hero, and defend the most august imperial eagle, against the most rapacious birds of the King of France, and every invader of your native country, with valour and your usual courage; with the sure expectation, not only of eternal glory to arise from thence, but also more certain security for the future. But that we may not wauder from our purpose, we are also to consider the number of the knights of the order of Vigilance. Twenty-four princes, or others of equally illustrious births and official functions, may obtain admission into this celebrated order by the favour of its most serene founder. The first rank is held by the serene William Henry, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach, (the most magnificent Governor of the Academy of Sall, and our most clement Lord,) who is connected by the ties of the most exalted friendship and affinity with the Serene House of Saxe-Weimar. The names of the rest of the illustrious knights will follow hereafter. But, for the better preserving the state of the order of Vigilance, there are certain persons duly constituted, to wit, a chancellor, and a secretary of the order, whose duty it is to reduce into writing, and when written, to preserve, for a perpetual memorial, those things which relate to it. The office of chancellor it attached to the dignity of first minister of state of Saxe-Weimar, unless he should happen to be destitute of those requisites, by the want of which he is rendered incapable of attaining the honour of the order; which restriction is read in express words in the constitution, that is, if he cannot, as is required, trace the nobility of his family. The office of chancellor is at present exercised by the most illustrious and most excellent George-William de Reinbaben, Knight of Silesia, hereditary Lord in Rohrbach, President and Chief Director of the Privy Council of the Serene Dukes of Saxe-Weimar, Saxe-Saalfeld, and Saxe-Cobourg. This incomparable Mecenas exercises this office with so much the more glory, as he is equally illustrious by the splendour of his birth, and his perfection in the higher sciences. Nothing then remains, but to implore the Supreme Deity, with sincere prayers, to support more and more the serene founder of the order of Vigilance, and all the knights invested with it, in the most perfect attachment and fidelity to the most august Emperor; and to all the conditions expressed in the statutes: and that, ascending by watching, the illustrious knights of the order may acquire to themselves the common applause of all nations as the most worthy reward of a great mind, never to decay! Weimar, August 2nd, 1732. For twenty years, prior to 1815, the order was not conferred on any one; and in the beginning of that year there remained but one single knight. After the Congress of Vienna, the dukes of Saxe-Weimar having received an increase of territory, the Grand Duke Charles Augustus renewed the order 18th October, 1815, and made it the reward of civil and military merit, dividing it into three classes, viz. grand crosses, commanders, and knights. The first class is composed of the grand master, who is always the reigning grand duke, the princes of his family, and twelve other grand crosses, chosen from amongst major-generals and actual privy-councellors; the second class is limited to twenty-five, who must have the rank of privy-councellors or majors; and the third class consists of fifty knights. The cross or badge is worn by the grand crosses pendant from a broad ribbon scarfways over the right shoulder, and by the commanders round the neck; the knights wearing the same badge from the button-hole. The civil members, instead of the trophies upon the centre of the badge, have a crown of laurel surrounding the middle device. The grand crosses likewise wear, on the left breast, a silver star of eight points, formed like feathers, upon which is a cross pattée azure, surmounted with a falcon, upon rays of gold, in the centre, encircled with a green fillet, bearing the motto, Vigilando ascendimus, in letters of gold. See Pl. 15, fig. 5. WING OF ST. MICHAEL, instituted in 1172, by Alphonso, King of Portugal, to commemorate a victory which he gained over the Moors, and from a superstitious belief that it was achieved by the interposition of St. Michael. The badge was, a cross flory, fitchée, gules, cantoned in base with two fleurs-de-lis; and over the cross, upon an escroll, the motto, Quis ut Deus? See Pl. 15, fig. 13. The habit of the order was of white silk, on the left breast whereof was embroidered a wing purple, within a circle of rays of gold. WIRTEMBERG, CHASE OF. See CHASE. |