Frederickscross
Encyclopedia
The Frederickcross was instituted in 1914 by the ruling Duke of Anhalt Frederick II of Anhalt as a decoration not unlike the Iron Cross
for merit in time of war.
There are three versions of the Frederickcross
This Cross pattée
bore a crown on the upper arm and the date "1914" on the lower arm. In the central medaillon is the monogram
of the duke, two intertwined "F"'s. The reverse is flat but the central medaillon bears the text "Für Verdienst" (For Merit")
In 1918 the Anhalt monarchy fell and the decoration was abolished.
William II
of Germany and Fieldmarshall Paul von Hindenburg
wore this cross.
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
for merit in time of war.
There are three versions of the Frederickcross
- A cross of bronze on a green ribbon with red borders for warriors.
- A cross of bronze on a green ribbon with white borders for non-combattons such as priests or doctors.
- A cross as a brooch (in German a "steckkreuz") that was worn without a ribbon.
This Cross pattée
Cross pattée
A cross pattée is a type of cross which has arms narrow at the centre, and broader at the perimeter. An early English example from the start of the age of heraldry proper A cross pattée (or "cross patty", known also as "cross formée/formy") is a type of cross which has arms narrow at the...
bore a crown on the upper arm and the date "1914" on the lower arm. In the central medaillon is the monogram
Monogram
A monogram is a motif made by overlapping or combining two or more letters or other graphemes to form one symbol. Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos. A series of uncombined initials is properly referred to as a...
of the duke, two intertwined "F"'s. The reverse is flat but the central medaillon bears the text "Für Verdienst" (For Merit")
In 1918 the Anhalt monarchy fell and the decoration was abolished.
William II
William II
William II may refer to:* William II of Aquitaine * William II of Montferrat * William II Sánchez of Gascony * William II of Provence * William II of Besalú...
of Germany and Fieldmarshall Paul von Hindenburg
Paul von Hindenburg
Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg , known universally as Paul von Hindenburg was a Prussian-German field marshal, statesman, and politician, and served as the second President of Germany from 1925 to 1934....
wore this cross.