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Order · Germany
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On 10 June 1705, Duke Adolf Frederick II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz founded the Order of Constant Virtue [Orde Virtuti Constanti] (Latin for “always virtuous”) as a house order of his duchy.
The occasion for its foundation was the duke’s third marriage; he married Christiane Emilie Antonie von Schwarzburg-Sonderhausen.
The badge of the order was an irregularly shaped Baroque medallion surmounted by a ducal crown. The crown and medallion form a single piece. Painted on the badge is an allegorical image depicting a fire flaring up in a gust of wind on a square altar amid foliage.
Beneath it, we read the motto “CORUS-CAT.ÆSTU.AGITATA.”
On the reverse are the words “VIRTUTI CONSTANTI” and the initials “C.Æ.A,” “D.M.N.” and “P.S.” around the coats of arms of the bride and groom, joined by a love knot.
The colour of the order’s ribbon is unknown. The shield-shaped badge was worn suspended from a ribbon by a ring.
Little is known about the order.
Translated from the Dutch Wikipedia (article), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
