Order of the White Eagle (Russian Empire)

The Imperial Order of the White Eagle (О́рден Бе́лого Орла́) was an Imperial Russian Order based on the Polish honor. Emperor Nicholas I of Russia established the award in 1831 as the Imperial and Royal Order of the White Eagle. A recipient of the Order was granted the title Knight of the Imperial (and Royal) Order of the White Eagle.

Background
The "white eagle" has been associated with Poland even prior to statehood; first appearing on the Polish Coat of Arms in the 13th century. The original Order of the White Eagle (Order Orła Białego) was reputedly established by King Władysław I in 1325. There is no evidence of it being awarded, however, until 1705 under Augustus II the Strong, King of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

After the Third Partition of Poland in 1795, the Order of the White Eagle briefly disappeared along with the Polish monarchy. After his death in 1798, Empress Alexandra wore the Collar of the Grand Master of the Order at Nicholas’s coronation as King of Poland. The order was resurrected in 1807 by Napoleon I in his short-lived Duchy of Warsaw.

In 1815, the Congress of Vienna divided the historically Polish lands among Prussia, the Austrian Empire and the Russian Empire. The majority of the territory was renamed the Kingdom of Poland and was to be an autonomous part of the Russian Empire.

The Order of the White Eagle is mentioned as belonging to the Kingdom of Poland in its constitution of 1815:

The Polish civilian and military Orders, of the White Eagle, Saint Stanislaus and the Cross of the Military, are preserved. (Ordery Polskie cywilne i woyskowe, to iest: Orła Białego, Świętego Stanisława i Krzyża Woyskowego, są zachowane.)

During the years immediately following the Congress of Vienna, the badge and cross of the Order were awarded with the same Polish insignia, but the majority of the recipients were Russians or members of the Austrian Empire.

After Russian troops put down the Polish uprising of 1830-31, Nicholas I stripped the autonomy from the Kingdom of Poland and adopted all Polish orders of merit.

Order within the Russian Empire
The Order of the White Eagle was officially "annexed" by Nicholas I on 17 November 1831 and became part of the Russian Imperial honors system. Among the first recipients of the Imperial Order of the White Eagle were Ivan Paskevich and Pyotr Petrovich Palen, recognised for their part in suppressing the Polish uprising.

The new design featured significant alterations: the badge was now of gold and red enamel; on the front, the original red maltese cross and white eagle were reduced in size and superimposed over the double-headed eagle of the Russian Empire. The back of the badge featured the original Polish badge design, superimposed over the Russian imperial eagle. The star now featured the Russian royal crown.

On 25 January 1832, a blue ribbon and sash were introduced.

The Order of the White Eagle was given a high status in the hierarchy of distinction, ranked only behind the Order of Saint Andrew, the Order of Saint Catherine (for women only) and the Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky. As the top three awards were named after Russian Orthodox saints, the Order of the White Eagle was the preferred award to bestow upon non-Christians. It granted hereditary nobility.

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To fully demonstrate the Order’s status as a Russian honour, and also to underscore Russia's total dominance over Poland, significant alterations were made to the Order's insignia. The new gold and enamel badge comprised the original red cross and white eagle of the Polish badge superimposed upon a far larger Russian Imperial (double-headed) eagle, displayed and enamelled black. The Imperial eagle was surmounted by crossed swords and an imperial crown. The reverse of the badge featured the reverse of the original Polish badge superimposed upon the back of the Russian Imperial eagle, with the name of the Virgin Mary, "Maria", in the form of a stylised monogram. The badge was suspended from a suspension ring in the form of an imperial crown. The star was also altered and the sky-blue sash was changed to one of dark royal blue. The new presentation diploma, which was signed by the Tsar, was written in Russian for Russians and in both Polish and Russian when presented to a Pole. Among the first were granted by distinguished themselves in the Polish campaign Field Marshal His Serene Highness Prince Ivan Fedorovich Warsaw, Count Paskevich-Erivan, general of cavalry I. A. Witt and P. P. Palen.

Order took pride of place in the hierarchy of the Russian awards - with 1835 followed by the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Awarded him shall not lower than Class IV. There was a change in the sign of the Order, the slogan changed to "For Faith, Tsar and the law."

In 1855 to the signs of war differences were joined by two cross lying sword: on top of the sign under the crown, and on a star - in the middle.

In 1882 started handing diamond marks the Order.

Badge of the Order worn on the right hip on a dark blue (moire) tape over the left shoulder, the star was worn on the left breast.

Order worn on the uniform and vice-uniform below the star of the Order of St. George's 2nd degree and above the star of the Order of St. Vladimir 2nd degree. When the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky star of the Order of the White Eagle with swords and without swords are not worn, and the sign of the Order with medals: a) St. Alexander Nevsky was put around his neck, a narrow ribbon and was worn below the Cross of the Order of St. George 2nd and 3rd degree or higher Cross of the Order of St. Vladimir 2nd degree, and b) St. Andrew, was put on the chest to the left of the Orders of St. George's 4th degree and St. Vladimir 4th degree, with Badge of the Order of the White Eagle to be the size of the same size with the marks established to carry on his chest. If the Order of the White Eagle was granted for military feats, then sign it with swords, with uniform and vice uniform, worn around the neck, and the Order of St. Andrew was worn below the Cross of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (See above. 4th degree) and the Cross of the Order of St. above. Vladimir 2nd degree. When the coat was worn just the sign of the Order of the White Eagle with swords, worn around the neck with the lack of insignia; a) St. George's 2nd st.ili 3rd st .; b) St. Andrew with swords; c) St. Vladimir 1st Art. with swords or without them, and d) ST. Alexander Nevsky, with swords [2].

In 1915 established the medal "For the excellent works on the implementation of a general mobilization in 1914", the only medal, use tape Order of the White Eagle. This medal is the last medal of the Russian Empire.

Russian Provisional Government retained the Order of the White Eagle, slightly modifying its appearance. Instead of crowns over the Russian imperial eagle appeared bow of blue ribbon. On breast stars motto, reminiscent of a king replaced bay leaves.

Abolished the decree of the Central Executive Committee in 1917.

Order saved in exile the royal family as a dynastic reward [3]. Awarding the Order since 1917, see. Article titles Awards and decorations of the Russian Empire since 1917.

Grades
Unlike other Russian awwrds, The order had only one degree.

According to the Statute of the Order of the White Eagle standing on the step below the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Unlike other Russian orders pension to the Order of the White Eagle did not rely.

Excerpts from the Statute of the Imperial and Royal Order of the White Eagle [4]: The Imperial and Royal Order of the White Eagle has only one degree. Signs of its essence: 1) The tape dark blue; her hanged insignia depicting a black, crowned, double-headed eagle with a head of gold, neck twisted, and the wings and tail circled in gold on the chest is red filigree cross lying on a golden star with three narrow strips about thereof, of which two gold and the average silver; on the sharp corners of the cross small gold balls, and between them in the middle of the same small semicircles; on the cross, supported by double-headed eagle is a white single-headed eagle, facing right, having on his head a small gold crown.

2) gold stars; in the middle of the star shows a fiery cross, having at the edges of the three narrow strips, of which the average red, while the other two gold; around the same it on the blue wide band motto is: «Pro Fide, Rege et Lege (For Faith, Tsar and the Law)."

3) The signs of this Order, when he complains of war against the enemy exploits, joined by two diagonally lying, sword: on top of the sign under the crown, and the star so that the middle shield covered reticle swords.

In the Star of the Order of the White Eagle, with its award not Christians, is portrayed, instead of a cross, the Imperial Russian eagle.

In general, the order of precedence Russian Orders Order of the White Eagle follows the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. With granted the Order of the White Eagle is charged at the same time and delivered to the Chapter of Orders on charitable deeds three hundred rubles. With the award of swords to the Order of the White Eagle is charged with one hundred and fifty rubles granted by.

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Insignia
Badge: A red enamelled cross pattée with black enamelled borders, and a black enamelled central disc bearing a crowned red and ermine mantle with the monogram of St. Vladimir. Worn on a sash by the first degree, on a necklet by the second and third degrees, and on a chest ribbon by the fourth degree.

gold stars; in the middle of the star shows a fiery cross, having at the edges of the three narrow strips, of which the average red, while the other two gold; around the same it on the blue wide band motto is: «Pro Fide, Rege et Lege (For Faith, Tsar and the Law)."

Star: In the Star of the Order of the White Eagle, with its award not Christians, is portrayed, instead of a cross, the Imperial Russian eagle. In general, the order of precedence Russian Orders Order of the White Eagle follows the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. With granted the Order of the White Eagle is charged at the same time and delivered to the Chapter of Orders on charitable deeds three hundred rubles. With the award of swords to the Order of the White Eagle is charged with one hundred and fifty rubles granted by.

Ribbon: Dark blue; her hanged insignia depicting a black, crowned, double-headed eagle with a head of gold, neck twisted, and the wings and tail circled in gold on the chest is red filigree cross lying on a golden star with three narrow strips about thereof, of which two gold and the average silver; on the sharp corners of the cross small gold balls, and between them in the middle of the same small semicircles; on the cross, supported by double-headed eagle is a white single-headed eagle, facing right, having on his head a small gold crown.

Select recipients
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Recipients

 * Alexander Abaza
 * 'Abd al-Ahad Khan
 * Count Nikolay Adlerberg
 * Adolphus Frederick V, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
 * Ahmad Shah Qajar
 * Albert I of Belgium
 * Prince Albert of Prussia (1809–1872)
 * Archduke Albrecht, Duke of Teschen
 * Albert, Prince Consort
 * Yevgeni Ivanovich Alekseyev
 * Alexander III of Russia
 * Alexander Nikolaevich Golitsyn
 * Alexander of Battenberg
 * Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine
 * Duke Alexander of Oldenburg
 * Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia
 * Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich of Russia
 * Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia
 * Alfred, 2nd Prince of Montenuovo
 * Gyula Andrássy
 * Ippolit Andreev
 * Avraamy Aslanbegov
 * August Gyldenstolpe
 * Prince August, Duke of Dalarna
 * Prince August of Württemberg
 * Theodor Avellan
 * Count Kasimir Felix Badeni
 * Ivane Bagration of Mukhrani
 * Pyotr Romanovich Bagration
 * Alexander Barclay de Tolly-Weymarn
 * Vasili Bebutov
 * Alexander von Benckendorff (diplomat)
 * Bhanurangsi Savangwongse
 * Nikolai Bibikov
 * Aleksei Birilev
 * Otto von Bismarck
 * Georgy Bobrikov
 * Nikolay Bobrikov
 * Woldemar von Boeckmann
 * Władysław Grzegorz Branicki
 * Charles James Briggs
 * Pavel Bulgakov
 * Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland
 * Carlos I of Portugal
 * Charles XV
 * Alexander Chavchavadze
 * Christian IX of Denmark
 * Mikhail Pavlovich Danilov
 * Dmitry Dashkov
 * Charles de Broqueville
 * Rudolf von Delbrück
 * Ivan Delyanov
 * Dmitry Petrovich Dokhturov
 * Mikhail Drozdovsky
 * Fyodor Dubasov
 * John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham
 * Alexander Alexandrovich Dushkevich
 * Edward VII
 * Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse
 * Nikolai Ottovich von Essen
 * Archduke Eugen of Austria
 * Aleksei Evert
 * Ferdinand I of Bulgaria
 * Ferdinand II of Portugal
 * Archduke Ferdinand Karl Joseph of Austria-Este
 * Giustino Fortunato (1777–1862)
 * Francis IV, Duke of Modena
 * Franz Joseph I of Austria
 * Archduke Franz Karl of Austria
 * Frederick VIII of Denmark
 * Frederick Francis III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
 * Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden
 * Archduke Friedrich, Duke of Teschen
 * Ivan Fullon
 * Ivan Ganetsky
 * George V
 * Aleksandr Gerngross
 * Fyodor Logginovich van Heiden
 * Alexander von Güldenstubbe
 * Grigory Golitsyn
 * Vladimir Gorbatovsky
 * Oskar Gripenberg
 * Iosif Gurko
 * Gustaf V
 * Gustaf VI Adolf
 * Ferenc Gyulay
 * Haakon VII of Norway
 * Lodewijk van Heiden
 * Prince Heinrich of Hesse and by Rhine
 * Dmitry Horvat
 * Alexander Ievreinov
 * Illarion Vasilchikov
 * Alexander Imeretinsky
 * Maurice Janin
 * Archduke John of Austria
 * Prince Johann of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg
 * Joseph, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg
 * Georg von Kameke
 * Kyprian Kandratovich
 * Karl Anton, Prince of Hohenzollern
 * Prince Karl Theodor of Bavaria
 * Nikolai Kashtalinsky
 * Alexander von Kaulbars
 * Gustav von Kessel
 * Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia
 * Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia
 * Konstantin Poltoratsky
 * Konstantin of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst
 * Apostol Kostanda
 * Alexander Krivoshein
 * Aleksey Kuropatkin
 * Karl Lambert
 * Sergey Stepanovich Lanskoy
 * Leonid Lesh
 * Leopold II of Belgium
 * Alexander Mikhailovich Lermontov
 * George Maximilianovich, 6th Duke of Leuchtenberg
 * Sergei Georgievich, 8th Duke of Leuchtenberg
 * Kazimir Vasilevich Levitsky
 * Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse
 * Prince Louis of Battenberg
 * Alexander von Lüders
 * Archduke Ludwig Viktor of Austria
 * Luís I of Portugal
 * Alexey Manikovsky
 * Manuel II of Portugal
 * Friedrich Martens
 * Esma'il Mass'oud
 * Maximilian I of Mexico
 * Duke William of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
 * Samad bey Mehmandarov
 * Emmanuel von Mensdorff-Pouilly
 * Feofil Egorovich Meyendorf
 * Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia
 * Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia
 * Konstantin Mikhaylovsky
 * Milan I of Serbia
 * Min Young-hwan
 * Mikhail Mirkovich
 * Sayyid Mir Muhammad Alim Khan
 * Alexander von Moller
 * Helmuth von Moltke the Elder
 * Huseyn Khan Nakhchivanski
 * Pavel Nakhimov
 * Napoleon III
 * Kamran Mirza Nayeb es-Saltaneh
 * Nicholas II of Russia
 * Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia
 * Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia (1831–1891)
 * Arkady Nikanorovich Nishenkov
 * Vladimir Nikolayevich Nikitin
 * August Ludwig von Nostitz
 * Nikolai Obolensky
 * David Ivanovich Orlov
 * Oscar II
 * Archduke Otto of Austria (1865–1906)
 * Otto of Bavaria
 * Alexander August Wilhelm von Pape
 * Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná
 * José Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco
 * Ivan Paskevich
 * Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia
 * Duke Paul Frederick of Mecklenburg
 * Pedro V of Portugal
 * Duke Peter of Oldenburg
 * Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders
 * Mikhail Mikhailovich Pleshkov
 * Karl von Plettenberg
 * Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar
 * Mohammad Shah Qajar
 * Mohammad Taqi Mirza Rokn ed-Dowleh
 * Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar
 * Naser al-Din Shah Qajar
 * Fyodor Radetsky
 * Antoni Wilhelm Radziwiłł
 * Christopher Roop
 * Prince Rudolf of Liechtenstein
 * Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria
 * Adam Rzhevusky
 * John Salmond
 * Anton Yegorovich von Saltza
 * Alexander Samsonov
 * Pavel Savvich
 * Johan Eberhard von Schantz
 * Sergei Sheydeman
 * Yakov Schkinsky
 * Emil von Schlitz
 * Gustav von Senden-Bibran
 * Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia
 * Maximilian Seyssel d'Aix
 * Ivan Ivanovich Shamshev
 * Ivan Shestakov
 * Dmitry Shuvayev
 * Arkady Skugarevsky
 * Vladimir Vasilyevich Smirnov
 * Mikhail Sokovin
 * Hermann von Spaun
 * Archduke Stephen of Austria (Palatine of Hungary)
 * Pyotr Stolypin
 * Vladimir Sukhomlinov
 * Dmitry Ivanovich Sviatopolk-Mirsky
 * Ludwig Freiherr von und zu der Tann-Rathsamhausen
 * Arshak Ter-Gukasov
 * Alfred von Tirpitz
 * Richard Ernest William Turner
 * Uchiyama Kojirō
 * Paul Simon Unterberger
 * Prince Valdemar of Denmark
 * Sergei Vasilchikov
 * Georgy Vasmund
 * Julius von Verdy du Vernois
 * Anthony Veselovsky
 * Charles Vilain XIIII
 * Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia
 * Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich of Russia
 * Illarion Vorontsov-Dashkov
 * Wilhelm II, German Emperor
 * William II of Württemberg
 * Sergei Witte
 * Vasily Zavoyko
 * Mass'oud Mirza Zell-e Soltan
 * Ferdinand von Zeppelin
 * Yakov Zhilinsky
 * Dmitry Zuyev
 * Alexander Pietrov