POLISH ORDER OF WHITE EAGLE

The ancient emblem of the Polish state - a white eagle on a red field. According to legend, the legendary ancestor of the Poles Leh, founded the first Polish capital, Gniezno on the spot where he saw the eagle′s nest in the trees, and over them a white eagle soaring against the sky, the red from the rays of the setting sun. Subsequently, the eagle was the emblem of many representatives of the first Polish royal Piast dynasty.

Order of the White Eagle in 1705 established the Polish king, while the Saxon Elector August II, although some scientists believe that in this case we can speak about the restoration of this Order. According to legend, it was established back in 1325 by King Vladislav briefly from the Piast dynasty. However, the researcher of Russia award of VA Durov considered such version is not quite accurate, since during the XV-XVI centuries information about this Order no.

When in 1705 Poland was the Russian Tsar Peter I, then at a meeting of the two monarchs in Tykocin November 3 and was named the first Knights of the Order of White Eagle. These were the Polish nobles who supported the King Augustus II in difficult and not entirely for his successful war with Sweden.

Photo — «Polish Order Of
white Eagle»

Seven years later, when the monarchs met again, they exchanged decorations - Peter I laid upon the Polish king signs the Order of St. Andrew, and Augustus II of the Russian czar - the signs of the Order of White Eagle.

Originally, the Polish reward was a medallion with a white eagle and the motto: "PRO FIDE, REGE ET LEGE" ( "For Faith, King and Law). On the insignia, destined for the kings and the kings, the word "rege" (King) was replaced by the word "grege" (society). From this inscription the Order of the White Eagle and was the Russian Tsar Peter I.

In a medallion of the White Eagle Order was issued in very small quantities, because it was not especially popular in Poland. Therefore, they were awarded mostly foreigners - allies of King Augustus II in the war against Sweden. Also of Peter I chevaliers of the Order of the White Eagle became even some of his associates. Moreover, in 1706 August II, broken by the Swedish King Charles XII, declined from the Polish throne. After the Russian victory at Poltava in 1709 the Polish king managed to regain the country, and before that the wearing of awards issued to them are unlikely to be welcomed and encouraged.

Photo — «Polish Order Of
white Eagle»

Then, and was replaced by the original medallion of the White Eagle on ordinary European insignia - a cross, to the insignia were still a star and blue ribbon.

The cross was covered on both sides of red enamel with white enamel edging. Between its ends housed golden tufts of flame, and the cross had four bifurcated expanded end, on which were placed the golden balls. On the cross, a crown prince, was superimposed a white eagle with golden claws and beak.

In the center of the back side of the Cross of the Order, in an oval gold outlet, depicted a white, four-cross, which was imposed monogram blue enamel: "AR" (August Rex, that is August - the King). People wore a cross on a blue ribbon, and the king - on the chain, in which levels alternated white eagles and medallions with the image of the Virgin.

Star of the Order of the White Eagle was an eight-point, usually gold (and also some silver), forged or embroidered. In the middle of it, a gold relief outlet, was superimposed a white cross with red piping, which was an inscription "PRO FIDE, REGE ET LEGE".

Since 1713 the color ribbon has changed, and insignia are worn on the white ribbon with two red stripes.

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white Eagle»

Its supposed to be on the tape at the right thigh, but the portraits of some of the awardees can be seen on the neck, but on special occasions he wore on a chain. The degree of the Order of White Eagle are not divided.

After 1831, when Poland became part of Russia under the name "Kingdom of Poland, the Order of the White Eagle is logged on Russian state awards. Then the Polish white eagle was put on the black eagle of Russia and the Polish crown replaced the imperial Russia. By order of the seniority of the White Eagle was placed immediately after the Order of Alexander Nevsky: they were awarded both for military and civil merits. From 1855 to the insignia that were issued for military services, were gradually joined by two crossed swords - at the top of the cross, they were placed in the bends of the blue finiftevoy tape under a large imperial crown, and the star went through its middle.

One of the most famous knights of the Order of the White Eagle became PS Nakhimov, received this award for the defense of besieged Sevastopol in January 1855, shortly before his heroic death.

According introduced in 1889, "Rules of wearing of medals," Knights of the Order of Alexander Nevsky Order of the White Eagle Star did not carry, and Orden cross on a ribbon worn around his neck - below the crosses of St.

Photo — «Polish Order Of
white Eagle»

George II and III level, but above the Cross of the Order of Saint Vladimir II degree. Knights of the Order of St. Andrew Cross of the Order of the White Eagle had to wear on his chest - to the left of the Order of St. George and St. Vladimir of IV degree.

After the February Revolution of 1917 Provisional Government of Russia has maintained almost intact royal a premium system, only with characters of the Order of St. Stanislaus and the Order of the White Eagle were removed imperial crown. In addition, the star of the Order of White Eagle the motto, which mentioned the word "rege", was replaced by a laurel twigs instead though this inscription on the sign of the Order of White Eagle crown was removed only with Russia′s black background, a white Polish eagle, the crown is left.