Pre WWI Belgium Order of Leopold Medal ‘Knight Class’ Military Division. BA 400. Pre WWI Belgium Order of Leopold Medal ‘Knight Class’ Military Division. BA 400. Miscellaneous

When Belgium became independent of the Netherlands, there was an urgent need to create a national honour system that could serve as a diplomatic gift. The national congress provided this exclusive right to the sovereign, this military honour system was written in Article 76. The first King of the Belgians, Leopold I of Belgium, used his constitutional right in a larger way than foreseen: not only military merit, but every service in honour of the Kingdom. Two years after the independence, the young King officially founded the dynastic Order of Leopold. The king approved the colour and grades both civil and military, and the official motto L’Union fait la Force/Eendracht maakt Macht. In 1832 Felix de Merode had a design approved by the Chambers for military and civil merit. This system was adapted from other European countries. More specific, the Order of Leopold is based on the French honour tradition with 5 classes. No membership can be granted to a person before the age of 42, except in the military division. On the 11th of June 1832 the law was promulgated, and the exact colours were defined; Article 2: "Le ruban sera ponceau moiré". The devise was presented in the 3rd article: L'union fait la Force. Retaining all of its enamel and ribbon intact this is a striking piece. The price includes UK delivery. BA 400.