Het Pruisische Frauenverdienstkreuz in Goud aan strik

The Ladies Merit Cross (''Frauenverdienstkreuz'') was founded on 22 October 1907 by King William II of Prussia as a two-class

Ladies Order Orders of chivalry for women, orders of knighthood for women or ladies orders are orders of chivalry reserved solely for women. These knighthoods for women made their first appearance in 1600, and have been less numerous than traditional knightho ...

and to reward women and young women, who worked in the field of charity, or in a religious or social field, who rendered outstanding had personal self-sacrificing service. The award was ranked just behind the

Order of Louise The Order of Louise (German: ''Luisen-Orden'') was founded on 3 August 1814 by Frederick William III of Prussia to honor his late wife, the much beloved Luise von Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen Louise (''née Luise Auguste Wilhelmine Amalie, Herzogi ...

. To be awarded the first class, a member must have held the second class for ten years. In exceptional cases, this requirement could be waived. The insignia were returnable upon death.

Description of the award

The badge is made of gold in the first class and of silver for the second class medallion. In the center is a

cross fleury A cross fleury (or flory) is a cross adorned at the ends with flowers in heraldry. It generally contains the fleur-de-lis, trefoils, etc. Synonyms or minor variants include ''fleuretty'', ''fleuronny'', ''floriated'' and ''flourished''. In early ...

with stylized

cornflowers ''Centaurea cyanus'', commonly known as cornflower or bachelor's button (among other names), is an annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Europe. In the past, it often grew as a weed in cornfields (in the broad sense of "co ...

between the arms of the cross. The

medallion A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be in ...

is framed by a string of pearls and is surmounted by a crown. On the edge of the medallion is the blue enameled inscription FÜR VERDIENSTE (For Merit). On the lower half of the edge are laurel branches flanking the intertwined letters AV ( Augusta Victoria). The insignia of the order was worn on a white bow on the left chest.

References

* Preußische Gesetzsammlung 1907, S. 281. * Jörg Nimmergut: ''Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945.'' Band 2. ''Limburg – Reuss.'' Zentralstelle für wissenschaftliche Ordenskunde, München 1997, . {{Orders and decorations of the Kingdom of Prussia Orders, decorations, and medals of Prussia Orders of chivalry of Germany Kingdom of Prussia 1907 establishments in Germany Awards established in 1907