Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
The Annunziaten Medal (it.: Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata, dt: "Supreme Order of the Most Holy delivery ", or " proclamation medal") was until 1951 the highest medals of Italy. Today he is a dynastic honor of the former Italian royal House of Savoy.
History
The order was in 1362 by Amadeus VI. , 14th Count of Savoy, called " the Green Count," donated. At first he was given the name "necklace " medal and the Foundation was to "honor God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the same fifteen friends, the saints of Paradise and the whole heavenly court ." Duke Charles III. inaugurated the Order of 1518 the mystery of the proclamation of Mary and gave it its present name.
The Order Star was introduced in 1680 by Duke Victor Amadeus II. This replaced the 1713 awarded him Kingdom of Sicily against that of Sardinia and lifted his order to "Royal Sardinian Order."
After King Victor Emmanuel II had 1861 Italy united under his crown, the Order moved to the first place among Italian Awards. From 1869 he was also awarded to non- nobles, who had rendered outstanding services to the crown and the state in the highest degree. The award included, among other things, the right to tax exemption, the title " Excellency " and other privileges of protocol. The bearer of the Order were considered cousins of the king.
The Annunziaten Order was repealed as State Award on March 3, 1951, de facto replaced by a special stage of the Grand Cross of Merit of the Italian Republic. He will continue to be awarded by the deposed royal house of Savoy as a dynastic Order. The present Grand Master of the Order is the head of the House of Savoy, Amadeus of Savoy, 5th Duke of Aosta ( Duca d' Aosta). With few exceptions, the subjects of high nobles, sovereigns or highest dignitaries need to be. The most recent award was presented in 1983 by Umberto II
As with the Order of the Garter there are different versions about the foundation of the Annunziaten Order. While some say that the founder of a memory of his brave predecessors, Amadeus V., called " the Great", wanted to create, because this was 1310 excelled in the defeat of the Turks at Rhodes with special bravery, others claim that the deep piety and devotion to the mysteries of the Rosary the founders have arranged to provide such a religious character. But it is not impossible that even a love story about the foundation of the Order may have resulted because the order was first called " Ordre Militaire du Lacs d' amour" and Amadeus to have received from the lady of his heart a bracelet out of her hair had been braided and decorated with attention grinding. This keepsake later he want to keep in the form of religious character. For the same reason the letters FERT that contains the Order, different interpretations are available. For example, the following two statements were given: " Frappez, Entrez, Rompez Tout " (engl.: "Beat the door down, 'comes in, kill everything " ) or " Fortitude eJus Rhodum Tenuit " (Eng. " His strength held Rhodes ").
Description
The religious character consists of a free embossed in gold representation of the Annunciation, surrounded by a strong cord, which forms various loops. Also, this line is made of gold. The sign is carried on a golden chain around his neck, some of the love knot and the said letter " FERT is formed.
On the chest of the knight wearing the 1680 imported star, which has the shape of a sun, and in the middle of the presentation of the proclamation is surrounded by the letter " FERT ". Also the star is made entirely of gold.
This order also, like all ancient order of knights, a ceremonial costume consisting of a amaranth colored coat with blue lining and silver embroidery, which was worn over a gold-embroidered taffeta robe. On the head, the knights wore a toque with a gray fur trimming, from a long sash hanging from a light blue velvet. After multiple change this costume in 1627 was introduced to the longer chain of orders is carried.