- Time Period: Pre World War I
- Institution: 1815
- Country: Spain
The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (or Real Orden de Isabel la Católica) is a Spanish civil order in which membership is granted in recognition of services that benefit the country. The Order is not open to Spaniards exclusively, and it has been used to award many foreigners.
The Order was created on 14 March 1815 by King Ferdinand VII in honor of Queen Isabella I with the intent of “rewarding the firm allegiance to Spain and the merits of Spanish citizens and foreigners in good standing with the Nation and especially in those exceptional services provided in pursuit of territories in America and overseas.”
The Order was reorganized by royal decree on 26 July 1847, as the modern “Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic” with a broader focus than the Americas. In 1938, General Franco, by decree of 15 June, restored the Order in its traditional meaning: to reward meritorious services rendered to the country by nationals and foreigners.
Order Criteria and Organization
The King of Spain is Grand Master of the Order. The Grand Chancellor of the Order is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Members of the order at the knight and above enjoy personal nobility and have the privilege of adding a golden heraldic mantle to their coat of arms.
Knights at the rank of Grand Cross and Knight of the Collar receive the official style of “His or Her most Excellent Lord”. Knights at the rank of commander and commander by number receive the style of “His or Her Most Illustrious Lord”. Beneath these two officials of the Order, there are currently several grades.
The Classes
The original statutes of the Order, dated 24 March 1815, initially established the order with three classes. Since then, the structure of the order has undergone several changes. Today, the classes are:
First Class
Knight of the Collar (CoYC) (Caballeros del Collar)
Knight Grand Cross (GYC) (Caballeros Gran Cruz)
Second Class
Commander by Number (CnYC) (Encomienda de Número)
Commander (CYC) (Encomienda)
Third Class
Officer’s Cross (OYC) (Cruz de Oficial)
Fourth Class
Knight’s Cross (+YC) (Cruz de Caballero)
Fifth Class
Silver Cross (Cruz de Plata)
Sixth Class
Silver Medal (Medalla de Plata)
Bronze Medal (Medalla de Bronce)
For more detailed information, you can visit the Wikipedia page on the Order of Isabella the Catholic.
The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic Design
The decoration is a red-enameled cross, with a golden frame. The outer peaks are fitted with small gold balls.
The center of the medallion contains the inscription “A La Lealtad Acrisolada” (To Proven Loyalty) and “Por Isabel la Católica” (For Isabella the Catholic) on white enamel. Above the cross is a green enameled laurel wreath with the band ring.
The ribbon is yellow with a white central stripe, except the “Collar”, the wearing of which can be replaced by a gold-yellow sash with white stripes on the edges.
