Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus

Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. It is a dynastic order of chivalry traditionally associated with the House of Savoy, originating from the amalgamation of two ancient orders in the 16th century. The order has served as a significant state honor of the Kingdom of Sardinia and later the Kingdom of Italy, and continues to be awarded by the head of the House of Savoy today. Its history is deeply intertwined with the Catholic Church, the Risorgimento, and European nobility.

History

The order's origins trace back to 1572 when Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy merged the Order of Saint Maurice, founded in 1434 by Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy, with the older Order of Saint Lazarus, which claimed origins from a Crusader leper hospital established in the 11th century. This merger was confirmed by a papal bull from Pope Gregory XIII, placing the new institution under the dual patronage of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus. Throughout the Ancien Régime, it functioned as a prestigious military order of the Duchy of Savoy, with knights often serving in conflicts like the War of the Spanish Succession. Following the Congress of Vienna, it became a premier state order of the Kingdom of Sardinia, with figures such as Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi receiving the honor for their roles in the Italian unification. After the Capture of Rome in 1870, it was established as the senior order of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy, awarded by monarchs like Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I. The order's status changed after the fall of the monarchy, transitioning to a dynastic order under the authority of the exiled House of Savoy.

Organization and membership

Traditionally, the Sovereign Grand Master of the order is the head of the House of Savoy, a title held historically by the King of Italy and currently by a claimant such as Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples. Membership is conferred in five classes: Knight/Dame Grand Cordon, Knight/Dame Grand Officer, Knight/Dame Commander, Knight/Dame Officer, and Knight/Dame. Historically, proof of noble lineage was a strict requirement for admission, a practice that was gradually relaxed in the 19th and 20th centuries. The order's governance included a Chapter and a Council of the Order, with administrative support from a Chancery. Prominent members have included foreign royalty like Prince Albert of the United Kingdom, statesmen such as Winston Churchill, military leaders like Luigi Cadorna, and scientists including Guglielmo Marconi.

Insignia and heraldry

The order's insignia is a distinctive white-enameled Maltese cross, which combines elements from its two predecessor orders. The cross is surmounted by a green-enameled patriarchal cross representing the Order of Saint Lazarus, while the central medallion depicts the image of Saint Maurice on the obverse and Saint Lazarus on the reverse. The badge is suspended from a ribbon of moiré sage green, a color historically associated with the Order of Saint Lazarus. For the highest class, the Knight/Dame Grand Cordon, the insignia is worn with a sash over the shoulder and a breast star featuring the Maltese cross design. The order's motto, "FERT", is a cryptic emblem of the House of Savoy whose exact meaning remains debated. Members are entitled to display heraldic achievements, including encircling their coat of arms with the order's collar or ribbon.

Activities and recognition

While its original military and hospitaller functions have ceased, the order remains active as a charitable and cultural institution under the patronage of the House of Savoy. It supports various philanthropic causes, including medical research, assistance to the elderly, and cultural preservation projects, often in collaboration with organizations like the Italian Red Cross. The order also participates in ceremonial events, such as the annual Feast of Saints Peter and Paul mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome. Its legal status as a dynastic order was affirmed by rulings from the Italian Court of Cassation in 1963, distinguishing it from national orders like the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. The order maintains associations with other chivalric bodies, including the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and its awards are recognized in many orders of precedence internationally.

Category:Dynastic orders Category:House of Savoy Category:Orders of chivalry awarded by the Kingdom of Italy