Order of Philip the Magnanimous

Order of Merit of Philip the Magnanimous Verdienstorden Philipps des Großmütigen
Order of the Golden Lion (after 1875)
Next (lower)	Order of the Star of Brabant
Ribbon bar of the order

The Order of Merit of Philip the Magnanimous (

The order was initially divided into four grades: Grand Cross, Commanders 1st and 2nd classes, and knight. On the anniversary of its founding in 1849, a new class was created, the Silver Cross, with the introduction of crossed swords in gold or silver for the class. From 10 November 1859 the knight class was further divided into two grades, 1st and 2nd classes. In 1876, the order was renamed the "Grand Ducal Hessian Order of Philip" (German: Großherzoglich Hessischer Philipps-Orden), though that decree was withdrawn a year later.

From 1881, the order could be awarded with a golden crown, as a special distinction; the order with swords for military merit was from 1893 restricted to those with outstanding achievements during war. In 1900, another new class, the Cross of Honour (German: Ehrenkreuz) was created, which was below commander 2nd class and above knight 1st class. A final revision was made on 17 June 1911, with golden rays added to the cross arms of the Commander 1st Class grade.

Recipients

Grand Crosses

Commanders 1st Class

Commanders 2nd Class

Crosses of Honour

Knights 1st class

Others

References

Literature

• ISBN 3-00-00-1396-2