BRAZIL

The Bragança Dynasty

ORDERS & DECORATIONS

The Imperial Order of Dom Pedro I (Ordem Imperial de Dom Pedro Primeiro): founded by Emperor Dom Pedro I on 16^th April 1826 and reformed by his son Dom Pedro II on 19^th October 1842. The Emperor was Grand Master and all other Princes being recipients of the Grand Cross. Awarded in 3 classes (1. Grand Cross - styled Excellency and limited to twelve recipients; 2. Commander - styled Senhor and limited to fifty; and 3. Knight - limited to one hundred). Abolished by the republic on 24th February 1891.

The Imperial Order of Dom Pedro I, Grand Cross, breast star (L) and collar badge (R)

The Imperial Order of the Cross (Ordem Imperial do Cruzeiro)*: founded by Emperor Dom Pedro I on 1^st December 1822. Awarded in five classes (1. Grand Cross - styled Excellency, enjoyed the honours of a Lieutenant-General and limited to twelve recipients; 2. Dignitary - styled Senhor, enjoyed the honours of a Brigadier and limited to forty-five, 3. Officer - enjoyed the honours of a Colonel and limited to three hundred and twenty; and 4. Knight - enjoyed the honours of a Captain unlimited in number). Abolished by the republic on 24th February 1891.

The Imperial Order of the Cross - Grand Cross, breast star (L) and collar badge (R)

The Order of the Rose (Ordem da Rosa): founded by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 17^th October 1829. The Emperor was Grand Master of the order, the Heir Presumptive was Grand Cross & Grand Dignitary-Major, all other Princes receiving of the Grand Cross. Awarded in six classes (1. Grand Cross - styled Excellency and limited to sixteen recipients; 2. Grand Dignitary - styled Senhor and limited to sixteen; 3. Dignitary - styled Senhor and limited to thirty-two; 4. Commander - styled Senhor and unlimited in number; 5. Officer - enjoyed the honours of a Colonel and un limited in number; and 6. Knight - enjoyed the honours of a Captain and un limited in number). Abolished by the republic on 24th February 1891**.

The Order of the Rose - Grand Cross, breast star in brilliants

The Military Order of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ordem Militar de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo): reformed by King Dom João VI at Rio de Janeiro on 5^th July 1809. Conserved under Papal authority of Pope Leo XII as a Brazilian branch of the order under Emperor Dom Pedro I on 15th May 1827. Reformed by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 9^th September 1843 and 7^th December 1861. The Order consisted of the Emperor as Grand Master, the Heir Apparent was Commander-Major and ordinary members divided in three classes (1. Grand Cross - limited to twelve recipients and styled Excellency; 2. Commander; and 3. Knight).

The Military Order of Our Lord Jesus Christ - Grand Cross, sash badge in brilliants.

The Military Order of St Benedict of Aviz (Ordem Militar de São Bento de Aviz): reformed by King Dom João VI at Rio de Janeiro on 5th July 1809. Conserved as a Brazilian Order by Emperor Dom Pedro I on 20^th October 1823. Reformed by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 9^th September 1843 and altered as a reward for military services by him on 7th December 1861. The Order consisted of the Emperor as Grand Master, the Heir Apparent was Commander-Major and ordinary members divided in three classes (1. Grand Cross - styled Excellency; 2. Commander, and 3. Knight).

The Military Order of Aviz - Knight, breast badge.

The Military Order of St James of the Sword (Ordem Militar de São Tiago da Espada): reformed by King Dom João VI at Rio de Janeiro on 5^th July 1809. Conserved as a Brazilian Order by Emperor Dom Pedro I on 20^th October 1823. Reformed by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 9^th September 1843. The Order consisted of the Emperor as Grand Master, the Heir Apparent was Commander-Major and ordinary members divided in three classes (1. Grand Cross - limited to twelve recipients styled Excellency and limited to twelve recipients; 2. Commander, and 3. Knight).
The Military Order of the Tower and Sword (Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada): founded by King Dom João VI at Rio de Janeiro as the Military Order of the Tower and Sword on 13^th May 1808. Designed to reward allied officers, particularly British Protestants, who had assisted in the struggle against Napoleon. Originally consisted of a Grand Master, a Grand Cross & Commander-Major, a Knight Grand Cross, an Ensign Grand Cross and ordinary members divided into three classes (1. Grand Cross - styled Excellency and limited to twelve recipients; 2. Commander - limited to twenty-four, and 3. Knight - limited to one hundred). Reformed and conserved as a Brazilian Order by Emperor Dom Pedro II on 9^th September 1843.

The Military Order of the Tower & Sword - Grand Cross, sash badge.

* Frequently, but mistakenly, called the Order of the Southern Cross by several authorities. However, the order of that name, more correctly the National Order of the Southern Cross (Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sol), is a new creation of the republican regime dating from 5^th December 1932. Although the insignia of the new order borrows heavily on certain distinctive elements of design from the older Imperial Order of the Cross, the references to the constellation are entirely new. The Imperial Order only used the imagary of a Christian, Latin cross in its insignia and made no references to the constellation in its name. The republican order is not a revival.
** the National Order of Merit (Ordem Nacional de Merito) also borrows several distinctive design elements from the Imperial Order of the Rose. However, this order is also an entirely new creation of the republic, dating from 4^th September 1946.

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