White enamel and bronze-gilt Maltese cross with gilt Prussian eagles between the arms, with eyelet for ribbon suspension; the face and reverse plain white enamel; diameter 45.14mm (1.78 inches); on possibly original ribbon. The Order, often popularly referred to as the ‘Knights of Malta’, was in existence in Jerusalem certainly as long ago as the early years of the 12th Century and by 1318 the Bailiwick of Brandenburg had been established in northern Germany to manage the growing wealth of the Order in that region. The Protestant Reformation and the wars of the 16th and early 17th Century led to the separation of the Bailiwick from its Catholic mother Order, the loss of much of its wealth and the placing of the Order under the Hohenzollern Prince Electors of Brandenburg, later Kings of Prussia and Emperors of Germany. The Order was transferred to the Prussian Crown in 1812 but was revived by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV in 1852. Today the Order supports a wide range of charitable efforts, especially medical and disaster relief operations. Membership of the Order is still by invitation only and its insignia are hard to find.
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