House Order of Fidelity
The House Order of Fidelity (German: "Hausorden der Treue") is a dynastic order of the Margraviate of Baden. It was established by Charles III William, Margrave of Baden-Durlach as a reward for merit and to mark the laying of the foundation stone of his residence at Karlsruhe Palace. As was customary at that time, it was originally named in French as the "Ordre de la Fidélité", before later being renamed the "Orden der Treue" and finally in 1840 the "Hausorden der Treue". Its motto was "Fidelitas" (Latin for "Fidelity"), which is also part of Karlsruhe 's coat of arms. History. The order was founded at the building site of Karlsruhe Palace on 17 June 1715 and later the same day, the palace's foundation stone was laid – this was also the city of Karlsruhe's foundation date. In the city's early years until around 1732, the city's main streets were named after knights of the order, at the suggestion of one of the founding knights and one of the "obervogts" or city guards, Johann Christian von Günzer, who also suggested that "Fidelitas" be used on the city's coat of arms. On 8  May 1803, Charles Frederick, Margrave of Baden added the class of Commander to the order. After Baden was promoted to a Grand Duchy in 1806, it became one of Baden's highest orders. From 1814, it returned to being a single-class order. From 17 January 1840, it was made the highest order in Baden and renamed the "Hausorden der Treue". By a statute of 17 June 1840, it was expanded back into two classes and reserved for princes of the grand ducal house, foreign sovereigns and higher statesmen with the title of "Excellency". In 1902, the Princess Cross class  was added, which was reserved for princesses born in the grand ducal house or who had married into it. Even after the monarchies of Germany were abolished, it was awarded as a dynastic order by the House of Baden. Insignia. Star. Its star consists of an eight-point Maltese cross with small golden balls on its tips, gold "C"s (after its founder) in the corners and a suspension loop attached to a crown on the top arm of the cross. The shield on the centre is gold plated with white enamel showing three green mountains below three gold "C"s and  the motto "FIDELITAS". The rear of the gold shield shows the arms of Baden and a red fess. Badge. This is a silver eight-arm cross, with an orange medallion on the front and four gold double "C"s on the silver arms. Sash. This is orange with a narrow silver stripe down each side. It is worn over the right shoulder and left hip. On its left side is a gap for the badge. Recipients. When the Order of Fidelity was reserved for foreign sovereigns, members of the ruling house and princes, the concurrent award of the Order of the  Zähringer Lion continued until 1877. After that date, the Grand Cross of the Order of Berthold the First was awarded first instead. Distribution. The number of distributions before the end of the German monarchies (not including awards to members of the grand ducal house) were: The following were awarded the order in diamonds: