Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa

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The Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (also known as The Order of Our Lady of Conception of Vila Vicosa) is an honorific dynastic order of which the Grand Master is the head of the Portuguese Royal House, the Duke of Braganza.

1 History
2 Insignia
3 See also
4 Bibliography

[edit] History

Breast Star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa

Created by John VI of Portugal in Rio de Janeiro on 6 February 1818, the date of his acclamation, in recognition for the efficient protection of the Kingdom's patron saint. This order distinguished those who proved their loyalty to the Portuguese Royal House in the war against the Bonapartist occupying forces.

The Order was originally limited to twelve Grand Crosses, forty Commanders and one hundred Knights, with the provision for the award of extranumerary Grand Crosses

In 1910, the Monarchy collapsed and the Republican Government abolished the Order, however King Manuel II of Portugal in exile and after his death the Dukes of Braganza continued to used the order's insignia. Recently Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza re-established the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa, as an honorific dynastic order of the Portuguese Royal Family, and has distinguished several Portuguese personalities (among them Cristiano Ronaldo).

[edit] Insignia

The order's insignia was designed by the French paintor Jean-Baptiste Debret (1768-1848), who was in charge of creating in Rio de Janeiro an arts and crafts lyceum (Escola Real de Artes e Ofícios) under the auspices of King D. João VI and the Marquis of Marialva. The order's sash is light blue and white. The medallion is starshaped and crowed, and in it center has a monogram with the letters "AM". Surrounding the monogram there is an inscription saying "Padroeira do Reino".