The Order of Saint Elizabeth was an chivalric and charitable order for women in the Electoral Palatinate and the Kingdom of Bavaria.
History The Order of Saint Elizabeth was founded by Countess Palatine Elisabeth Auguste of Sulzbach, the first spouse of Charles Theodore, Elector of the Palatinate, in honor of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and as a charitable institution for the poor on 18 October 1766. It was confirmed on 31 January 1767 by Pope Clement XII. Candidates had to proof their and their husbands noble descent until their great-grandparents (seize quartiers). Originally, it was to six ladies, additionally to ladies of princerly houses, the Hofmeisterin (equals the Mistress of the Robes) and ladies-in-waiting of the Grand Mistress. The nomination took place either on Easter or on Saint Elizabeth's Day (19 November), the entrance fee was four ducats.
In 1873, the fee was increased to 500 marks for Bavarian ladies and 1.000 marks for foreigners, while the proof of nobility was lowered to the grandparents. Additionally, the Grand Mistress was enabled to appoint Honorary Dames, i. e. princesses consort, who were dispensed from the fee.
Insignia The badge was a white enameled cross, representing on one side Saint Elizabeth dispensing charity to the poor, and on the other E A, the initials of the founder. It was worn on the left breast by a blue ribbon with a red border, with inverted colours for Honorary Dames.
Grand Mistresses The Grand Mistress was appointed by the Elector, later by the King. She had to be a member or the wife of a member of the House of Wittelsbach.
1766–1794 Countess Palatine Elisabeth Auguste of Sulzbach 1794–1831 Princess Maria Amalia of Saxony, widow of Charles II August, Duke of Zweibrücken. 1831–1851 Princess Augusta of Bavaria, sister of Ludwig I of Bavaria 1851–1864 Archduchess Auguste Ferdinande of Austria, wife of Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria 1872–1918 Maria Theresa of Austria-Este, wife of Ludwig, Crown Prince and later King of Bavaria
Members Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria Archduchess Gisela of Austria Empress Amélie of Leuchtenberg Empress Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein Princess Maria Elisabeth of Bavaria Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen; 1900: Wedding Gift in honour of her son.Nieuws Van Den Dag (Het) 02-10-1900 Princess Joséphine Caroline of Belgium; 1900: Wedding Gift in honour of her brother.Nieuws Van Den Dag (Het) 02-10-1900 Princess Henriette of Belgium; 1900: Wedding Gift in honour of her brother.Nieuws Van Den Dag (Het) 02-10-1900 Princess Isabella Antonie of Croÿ Princess Louise of Orléans Princess Maria di Grazia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies Infanta Maria Teresa of Spain Infanta Amelia Philippina of Spain Princess Eugénie de Leuchtenberg
Sources Tagore, Rajah Sir Sourindro Mohun. The Orders of Knighthood, British and Foreign. Calcutta, India: The Catholic Orphan Press, 1884
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