The Military Order of Saint James of the Sword (or Ordem Militar de Sant’Iago da Espada in Portuguese) is a distinguished Portuguese order of chivalry. Its full title is the Ancient, Most Noble, and Enlightened Military Order of Saint James of the Sword, of the Scientific, Literary, and Artistic Merit.
History
Founded in 1172, the Order originated from the Order of Santiago, established in the Kingdom of León in 1170 to protect pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. The Order expanded into Portugal in 1172 under King Afonso I, who granted them lands, but they were expelled in 1179 due to conflicts with León. They returned in 1186 under King Sancho I.
The Order played a significant role in the Reconquista and later Portuguese conquests, such as the capture of Ceuta in 1415. In 1288, King Denis of Portugal separated the Portuguese branch from the Castilian Order, which was confirmed by Pope John XXII in 1320.
Transition and Modern Era
During the 1383–1385 Portuguese succession crisis, the Order supported John I. In 1418, the mastership was secured for his son, and eventually, the Order’s leadership became intertwined with the Portuguese royal family.
In 1789, Pope Pius VI and Queen Maria I reformed the Order into a secular institution. The Order lost its properties and privileges after the 1834 liberal revolution. Though abolished in 1910 with the fall of the monarchy, the Order was later re-established as an order of merit.
The Order of Saint James of the Sword Grades
The Order of St. James of the Sword, as currently awarded by the Portuguese government, has six classes:
Grand Collar (GColSE): Wears the badge of the Order on a special collar (chain) and the gold star of the Order on the left chest.
Grand Cross (GCSE): Wears the badge of the Order on a gilt collar (chain) or on a sash over the right shoulder, and the gold star of the Order on the left chest.
Grand Officer (GOSE): Wears the badge of the Order on a gilt collar (chain) and the gold star of the Order on the left chest.
Commander (ComSE): Wears the badge of the Order on a gilt collar (chain) and the silver star of the Order on the left chest.
Officer (OSE): Wears the badge of the Order on a gilt collar (chain) and on a ribbon with a rosette on the left chest.
Knight (CavSE) or Dame (DamSE): Wears the badge of the Order on a silver collar (chain) and on a plain ribbon on the left chest.
The Order of Saint James of the Sword Design
The insignia of the Order prominently features the Cross of St. James.
The badge is a gilt cross with red enamel, similar to the Order’s emblem but with a longer lower arm, encircled by a wreath of green-enameled palm leaves. At the bottom of the badge is a white-enameled scroll with the inscription “Ciência Letras e Artes” (Science, Literature, and Art). The Grand Collar badge differs by having no scroll and a laurel wreath instead of palm leaves.
During the monarchy, the badge was topped by the Sacred Heart of Christ.
The star of the Order has 22 asymmetrical rays, gilt for the Grand Collar, Grand Cross, and Grand Officer, and silver for the Commander. The central disc is white enamel with a miniature of the modern badge. Under the monarchy, the Sacred Heart of Christ was placed at the top of the star.
The ribbon of the Order is plain lilac.
