Order of Saint Michael (Bavaria)

The Order of Saint Michael (German: Orden zum Heiligen Michael) or Royal Merit Order of Saint Michael (German: Königlicher Verdienstorden vom Heiligen Michael) was founded on September 29, 1693 [1] by Joseph Clemens of Bavaria, then Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, as a Military order. Initially, this order was only open to the Catholic nobility. Upon its institution, the order consisted of Grand Master, Grand Cross and Knight. The Grand Master was bestowed with a Breast Star. In 1808, the Knight Commander class was added. In 1813, the order received the official title of the Knightly House Order of St. Michael.[2] On 18 January 1837, King Ludwig I made alterations to the order and the official title was changed to the Order of Merit of St. Michael.[3] The physical appearance of the decorations also changed at this time.

This article is about the Bavarian order. For other uses, see Order of Saint Michael (disambiguation).
Royal Merit Order of Saint Michael
Königlicher Verdienstorden vom Heiligen Michael
Awarded by The Head of the House of Wittelsbach
TypeDynastic Order
Established29 September 1693
Royal houseHouse of Wittelsbach
Religious affiliationRoman Catholicism
MottoQUIS UT DEUS
("Who [is] like God")
Status1693–1813 (Military Order)
1813—1837 (National Order)
1837-1918 (National Order of Merit)
1918-present (Dynastic Order)
FounderArchbishop Joseph Clemens, Archbishop-Elector of Cologne
SovereignDuke Franz
Grand MasterPrince Max
GradesKnight Grand Cross with Collar
Knight Grand Cross
Former grades
See
  • Knight Grand Cross, Special Class
    Knight Grand Officer
    Knight Commander
    Knight of Honour
    Knight Officer
    Knight, Special Class
    Cross of Merit, Special Class
    Cross of Merit
    Medal of Merit, Special Class
    Medal of Merit

Ribbon of the order

References
  1. Robertsom, Megan C. "Kingdom of Bavaria: Royal Merit Order of St Michael". Medals of the World. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  2. "Knightly Order of St. Michael, Collar". Medalbook. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  3. "Knightly Order of St. Michael, Collar". Medalbook. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
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