The Order of the Black Eagle is the first and highest award of the independent Kingdom of Prussia

The Order of the Black Eagle is one of the most significant awards of Prussia. The Regalia was established as a symbol of the independence of the kingdom, which previously bore the status of a duchy. Later, the country finally asserted its dominant position in Europe, and the Hohenzollern dynasty united the disparate possessions of the electors and princes into the German Empire. Up to this point, the Order of the Black Eagle remained the highest award in the Prussian state.

Characteristics of the Order of the Black Eagle:

Author unknown.
Country: Prussia, Germany.
Date of establishment: January 18, 1701.
Number of degrees: 1.
Cross size: 81mm x 81mm.
The size of the star between the beams: 96 mm.
Chain link size: 21 mm.
Cross weight: 44.9 g.
Star weight: 38 g.
Order chain weight: 130 g.
Materials: gold, silver, enamel, sometimes diamonds.

Knightly Union of the Black Eagle

The Order of the Black Eagle was founded by the first king of Prussia, Friedrich I (Friedrich I). The monarch pursued a far-sighted domestic and foreign policy while still Elector of Brandenburg. As a result of profitable military alliances, the duchy acquired new lands, where the Huguenot emigrants expelled from France found shelter. Among them were many skilled craftsmen who greatly advanced the industry. Over time, the country gained significant weight in Europe, which opened up the opportunity for the declaration of independence.

The Order of the Black Eagle was conceived by Frederick when he finally decided to declare Prussia a kingdom. By that time, the duchy had expanded significantly geographically thanks to military successes and the purchase of lands. Brandenburg was formally under the jurisdiction of the Holy Roman Empire, however, after a generous monetary contribution to the emperor, the elector was entitled to the crown.

The coronation took place in Konigsberg on January 18, 1701, and on this day the monarch announced the establishment of the first and main regalia of the new state. In the first years of its existence, the order could not be called an award in the full sense of the word. The king wanted to create a kind of analogue of the old knightly brotherhoods, which even the very symbolism of the regalia hinted at a black eagle on a gold background once flaunted on the insignias of the Teutonic masters of the highest level.

Frederick himself was proclaimed the grandmaster.

In addition to him, members of the royal family received the exclusive right to the title of knights at birth. As in the Middle Ages, the organization could not have more than thirty people. The restriction was then lifted, but this happened much later. On the day of the founding of the union, nineteen people became knights, and the king appointed the prime minister and representative of the ancient noble family Johann Kasimir von Wartenberg (Johann Kasimir Kolb (e) von Wartenberg) as chancellor.

The insignia was made in the form of a cross of the Maltese brotherhood, and in the center of the medallion there was a gold monogram of Frederick. An orange moire ribbon was supposed to be thrown over the left shoulder. As for the star, there were no strict requirements for the shape of the rays. Jewelers made smoothed or sharp edges, but the pattern of an eagle on an enamel medallion was reproduced in detail and clearly. At the meetings, the knights appeared in ceremonial attire, one of the main details of which was a cape of scarlet velvet with an embroidered star.

Knights of the Order of the Black Eagle

The monarch granted the order to both his own subjects and foreigners. Regalia became a kind of diplomatic award, as it was awarded to monarchs and high dignitaries of friendly states. On special occasions, the star was encrusted with diamonds.

The Chancellor of Germany Otto von Bismarck (Otto Eduard Leopold Fürst von Bismarck-Schönhausen, Herzog zu Lauenburg) was awarded the precious order, who received the order chain as a sign of special benevolence. Among the Russian cavaliers were prominent statesmen and military leaders Finance Ministers Vladimir Kokovtsov and Sergey Vitte, Field Marshal Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly and General Pyotr Bagration.

After the collapse of the German Empire in 1918, the order became the home decoration of the imperial family and was awarded only to representatives of the Hohenzollern dynasty. Until 1941, meetings were held on July 11, the birthday of Frederick I. Festive receptions at the royal residence in Dorn attracted many distinguished guests.