- Time Period: Pre-WW1
- Institution: 1 January 1830
- Country: Germany (Kingdom of Württemberg)
The Friedrich Order (or Friedrichs-Orden or Friedrichsorden in German) was a prestigious order of merit in the German Kingdom of Württemberg. It was instituted on January 1, 1830, by King Wilhelm I in honor of his father, King Friedrich I. The order was abolished in 1918 with the end of the monarchy.
The Friedrich Order Classes
Initially created as a single-class order that conferred nobility, the Friedrich Order was restructured on January 3, 1856, into four classes. On September 29, 1870, a Knight 1st Class and a military division with swords were added, with existing Knights being appointed to the new 1st Class. In 1892, the “Medal of the Order of Frederick” was introduced. An additional rank, the Grand Cross with Crown, was established on March 6, 1899.
The classes were:
- Grand Cross with Crown
- Grand Cross
- Commander 1st Class
- Commander 2nd Class
- Knight 1st Class
- Knight 2nd Class
- Medal