Medals, Orders, and Awards of the Kingdom of Bavaria

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Military Order of Max Joseph



Type: Military order in three classes

• Grand Cross (Großkreuz)
• Commander's Cross (Kommandeurkreuz)
• Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz)

Eligibility: Military officers
Awarded for: Bravery and meritorious leadership in battle
Status: Still used
Description: White-enameled Maltese cross with a blue-enameled center medallion. There are rays between the arms of the Grand Cross and Commander's Cross, but not the Knight's Cross.

Military Merit Order



Type: Military order
Eligibility: Military officers and officials, and in certain cases civilians
Awarded for: Bravery or military merit
Status: Still used
Description: Blue-enameled Maltese cross with an enameled center medallion; can be awarded with and without swords and comes in several classes


Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown



Type: Civil order
Eligibility: Civil servants, non-nobles, and foreigners
Awarded for: Merit deserving the recognition of the state
Status: Still used

Order of St. Michael



Type: Merit order
Eligibility: Military officers and officials, and in certain cases civilians
Awarded for: Military merit
Status: Still used
Description: Blue templar cross with St. Michael in the middle. Awarded in three classes. Given only to Catholic military members

Maximilian Order for Science and Art



Type: Civil order
Eligibility: Anyone of Bavarian citizenship
Awarded for: Outstanding contribution to science and art
Status: Still used
Description: The order may not exceed over 100 living members.


Order of Theresa



Type: Noble order
Eligibility: Any female of direct relations with the royal family/Any female married into the royal family
Awarded for: Getting married/Getting married into the royal family
Status: Still used
Description: The insignia of the order is worn on the left breast and consists of a blue-enameled Maltese cross with a wide white edge, over which is placed a gold royal crown.

The Templar Order



Type: Military order
Eligibility: Anyone directly chosen by the king.
Awarded for: Extremely efficient skills in the military.
Status: Still used
Description: The insignia is a simple ruby cross. The Order can date back to the 1st Crusade. The people of the Order are the royal family's royal gaurds. Anyone in the Templar Order are viewed on with high esteem.


The Teutonic Order



Type: Political/Military order
Eligibility: Anyone directly chosen by the king.
Awarded for: Any reason the king would want to give the order to the receiver.
Status: Still used
Description: The insignia is a Teutonic cross with a smaller red cross in the middle. People of the order work directly with the royal family. Anyone in the Teutonic Order are viewed upon with high esteem and are sometimes considered nobles.