Order of Isabella the Catholic

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Order of Isabella the Catholic
Orden de Isabel la Católica AEAColl.jpg
Grand Cross Sash and Star of the Order
Awarded by Estandarte Real de España.svg The Spanish Monarch
Type State Order
Royal house House of Bourbon-Spain
Motto "'A La LEALTAD ACRISOlADA
("To Proven Loyalty")
and
"POR ISABEL La CATÓLICA

("For Isabella the Catholic")
Awarded for Actions in benefit to Spain and the Crown
Status Currently Constituted
Sovereign King Felipe VI
Chancellor José García-Margallo y Marfil, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Grades (w/ post-nominals) Knight Grand Cross with Collar
Knight/Dame Grand Cross
Knight/Dame Grand Officer
Knight/Dame Commander
Knight/Dame Officer
Knight/Dame
Cross Medal
Silver Medal
Bronze Medal
Established 14 March 1815
Precedence
Next (higher) Order of Queen Maria Luisa
Next (lower) Order of Civil Merit
Order of Isabella the Catholic - Sash of Collar.svg ESP Isabella Catholic Order CROSS.svg
The Ribbons of the Order
Collar granted to Czech President Václav Havel.

The Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spanish: Orden de Isabel la Católica) is a Spanish civil order granted in recognition of services that benefit the country. The Order is not exclusive to Spaniards, and it has been awarded to many foreigners.

The Order was created on 14 March 1815 by King Ferdinand VII of Spain in honor of Queen Isabella I of Castile with the name of "Royal and American Order of Isabella the Catholic"[1] with the intent of "rewarding the firm allegiance to Spain and the merits of Spanish citizens and foreigners in good standing with the Nation and especially in those exceptional services provided in pursuit of territories in America and overseas."[2] The Order was reorganized by royal decree on 26 July 1847, as the modern "Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic" with a broader focus than the Americas.

Officials and grades

The King of Spain (currently Felipe VI) is Grand Master of the Order. The Chancellor of the Order is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. All deeds granting decorations of the Order must bear the signatures of both. Members of the order at the grade of Commander and above enjoy personal nobility and have the privilege of adding a golden heraldic mantle to their coat of arms. Knights at the rank of Grand Cross and Knight of the Collar receive the official style of "His or Her most Excellent Lord". Knights at the rank of commander and commander by number receive the style of "His or Her Most Illustrious Lord". Beneath these two officials of the Order, there are currently several grades:

  • First Class
  • Order of Isabella the Catholic - Sash of Collar.svg Knight of the Collar (Caballeros del Collar) (limited to 25 people)
  • ESP Isabella Catholic Order GC.svg Knight Grand Cross (Caballeros Gran Cruz) (limited to 500 people)
  • Second Class
  • ESP Isabella Catholic Order COM NUM.svg Commander by Number (Encomienda de Número) (limited to 800 people)
  • ESP Isabella Catholic Order COM.svg Commander (Encomienda)
  • Third Class
  • ESP Isabella Catholic Order OFF.svg Officer's Cross (Cruz de Oficial)
  • Fourth Class
  • ESP Isabella Catholic Order CROSS.svg Knight's Cross (Cruz de Caballeros)
  • Fifth Class
  • ESP Isabella Catholic Order SILV CROSS.svg Silver Cross (Cruz de Plata)
  • Sixth Class
  • ESP Isabella Catholic Order SILV MEDAL.svg Silver Medal (Medalla de Plata)
  • ESP Isabella Catholic Order BZ MEDAL.svg Bronze Medal (Medalla de Bronce)[3]

The original statues of the order of 24 March 1815 established the order in three classes. The structure of the order has varied several times since then. The following is a summary of the history of the various grades and medals of the order:

  • Knights of the Collar (Caballeros del Collar) – Established 22 June 1927.
  • Knights Grand Cross (Caballeros Gran Cruz) – Established 24 March 1815.
  • Knight First Class (Caballeros de Primera Clase) – Established 24 March 1815, retitled Commander (Comdador) on 24 July 1815.
  • Officer (Oficial) – Established 10 October 1931, abolished 15 June 1938 and restored 5 June 1971.
  • Knight Second Class (Caballeros de Segunda Clase) – Established 24 March 1815, retiled Knight (Caballeros) on 24 July 1815.
  • Silver Cross (Cruz de Plata) – Established 16 March 1903 to reward civil and palace officials.
  • Gold Medal with Laureate (Medal de Oro pero Laureada) – Established on 24 July 1815 for award to European sergeants and enlisted men. Subsequently abolished.
  • Gold Medal (Medal de Oro) – Established on 24 July 1815 for award to non-European 'natives'. Subsequently abolished.
  • Silver Medal (Medal de Plata) – Established 15 April 1907 to reward non-commissioned officers and junior civil officials.
  • Bronze Medal (Medal de Bronce) – Established 15 April 1907 to reward non-commissioned officers and junior civil officials.[4]

Women appointed to an applicable grade are not called Knights (Caballeros). Women are instead appointed as Dames of the Collar (Damas del Collar), Dames Grand Cross (Damas Gran Cruz) or Dame's Cross (Cruz de Damas).[3]

Order Decoration

The decoration is a red-enameled cross, with a golden frame. The outer peaks are fitted with small gold balls. The center of the medallion contains the inscription "A La Lealtad Acrisolada" (To Proven Loyalty) and "Por Isabel la Católica" (For Isabella the Catholic) on white enamel. Above the cross is a green enameled laurel wreath with the band ring.

The ribbon is yellow with a white central stripe,[5] except the "Collar" for which the wearing of the collar can be replaced by a gold-yellow sash with white stripes on the edges.

Insignia
Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Star of the Collar Grand Cross Grade of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Insignia, Grand Cross and Star of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Star of the Commander by Number Grade of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Insignia of the Commander Grade of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Collar Collar Grade Star Grand Cross Star Commander by Number Commander
Optional Dame's Bow of Commander Commander Grade of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Officer's Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Optional Dame's Bow of Officer of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Knight's Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Optional Dame's Bow of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Dame-Commander Bow
(Optional)
Officer's Cross Dame-Officer's Bow
(Optional)
Knight's Cross Dame Bow
(Optional)
Silver Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Optional Dame's Bow of the Silver Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Silver Medal of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Optional Dame's Bow of the Silver Medal of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Bronze Medal of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Silver Cross Dame's Silver Cross Bow
(Optional)
Silver Medal Dame's Silver Medal Bow
(Optional)
Bronze Medal
Optional Dame's Bow of the Bronze Medal of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.svg
Dame's Bronze Medal Bow
(Optional)

Notable members

References and links

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