Order of the Netherlands Lion
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The Order of the Netherlands Lion (Dutch: De Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw) is an order of the Netherlands which was first created on 29 September 1815 by the first King of the Netherlands, King William I.
The Order of the Netherlands Lion was until recently awarded upon eminent individuals from all walks of life, including generals, ministers of the crown, mayors of large towns, professors and leading scientists, industrialists, high ranking civil servants, presiding judges and renowned artists. It could therefore be considered the Dutch equivalent of the Order of the Bath. Since 1980 the Order has been primarily used to recognise merit in the arts, sport and literature; others have been awarded the Order of Orange Nassau instead.
The Order of the Netherlands Lion ranks after the coveted Order of William. Every year on the Queen's official birthday, April 30, several appointments in the Order are made public. The second and third class of the Order are not awarded to foreigners; they are eligible for the Order of Orange Nassau or the Order of the Crown instead.
The Queen of the Netherlands is the Grand Master of the Order. The Order is issued in three classes. There was also a Medal for "brothers" which had not been conferred since 1960. The brothers became extinct and the grade was abolished in 1994.
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[edit] Grades
The following classes and grades exist for the Order of the Netherlands Lion:
- Knight 1st grade, named "Knight Grand Cross": Reserved for members of the Royal Family, foreign Heads of State and a select group of former prime ministers, Princes and Cardinals. Wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest.
- Knight 2nd grade, named "Commander": Usually conferred upon Dutch Nobel Prize winners, a few distinguished artists, writers and politicians. Wears the badge on a necklet, plus an identical breast cross on the left chest (therefore this class is actually equivalent to Grand Officer).
- Knight 3rd grade, simply named "Knight": Until recently this was the decoration conferred upon members of the "establishment". Wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
- Brother: no longer issued; see section below. Wore the medal on a ribbon on the left chest.
[edit] Insignia
The badge of the Order is a gilt, white-enamelled Maltese Cross, with the monogram "W" (for King William I) between the arms of the cross. The orverse central disc is in blue enamel, bearing the motto Virtus Nobilitat (Virtue Ennobles). The reverse central disc is plain golden, with the lion from the Netherlands coat-of-arms. The badge is topped by a crown.
The star of the Grand Cross is a gilt 8-pointed star with straight rays; the obverse of the badge of the Order, minus the crown and the monograms, appears at its centre.
The breast cross of the Commander is completely identical to the obverse of the badge of the Order.
The ribbon of the Order is blue with yellow stripes near the border.
[edit] The Brothers
Associated with the Order of the Netherlands Lion was the class known as the Brother, which has not been conferred in living memory. It was awarded to those, usually of a lower social class, who performed useful acts, self-sacrifice or other acts of kindness towards fellow human beings (for example, risking one's life to save others from grave danger). The award came with an annual payment of 200 guilders, of which half would be paid to the widow(er) at the death of the award holder.
The badge of honour for Brothers was a silver medal, with the lion from the Netherlands coat-of-arms on the obverse, and the motto Virtus Nobilitat (Virtue Ennobles) on the reverse.
The ribbon for Brothers was blue with a single yellow central stripe.
