Order of Saint Isabel

The Order of Queen Saint Isabel (Ordem da Rainha Santa Isabel) is a dynastic order of which the Grand Mistress is the Duchess of Braganza.

History

Created by King John VI of Portugal on 4 November 1801, in recognition for the devotion of Elizabeth of Aragon, the Queen Saint consort of Portuguese King Denis I. John VI invested Carlota Joaquina, his wife, as Grand Mistress of the Order. The Order is exclusively for Ladies and it distinguished Catholic noble women. The total of members that this order could have was twenty-six.

In 1910, the Monarchy was replaced by a Republican Government and the Order which was considered Dynastic, was still bestowed by King's Manuel II of Portugal who also awarded it to his wife in exile. After his death the Queen and Queen Mother both continued to use the order's insignia of Grand Mistress. In 1986 Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza re-established the Order of Saint Isabel, as an honorific dynastic order of the Portuguese Royal Family, and claimed the Sovereign Grand Mastership of this Dynastic Order. The Duchess of Braganza is the current Grand Mistress and besides distinguishing Portuguese Noblewomen on the Saints Feast Day celebrated in Saint Clare's Monastery in Coimbra each year on July 4, the Royal House has also distinguished, since the year 2000, various Queens and women dedicated to the support of Portuguese Charities.

Insignia

The order's sash is pale pink and has a white stripe in the middle. On the accompanying crowned medallion is a picture of the Queen Saint giving money to a poor man. This picture is surrounded by a frame with roses (an allusion to the Queen's miracle). The insignia's motto is Pauperum Solatio.

See also

• Order of Saint Michael of the Wing
• Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa

Bibliography & Image

• Secretariado de Estado da Cultura. Tesouros Reais. Lisbon: Textype - Artes Gráficas, Ld.ª, 1992. ISBN 972-9496-12-9
• Evaristo, Carlos. Gli Ordini Portoghesi Della Casa Di Braganza: Evoluzione Storica Ed Attualita pp 227—240