The Ladies Merit Cross (''Frauenverdienstkreuz'') was founded on 22 October 1907 by
King William II of Prussia as a two-class
Ladies Order and to reward women and young women, who worked in the field of charity, or in a religious or social field, who rendered outstanding had personal self-sacrificing service. The award was ranked just behind the
Order of Louise. To be awarded the first class, a member must have held the second class for ten years. In exceptional cases, this requirement could be waived. The insignia were returnable upon death.
Description of the award
The badge is made of gold in the first class and of silver for the second class medallion. In the center is a
cross fleury with stylized
cornflowers between the arms of the cross. The
medallion
A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be int ...
is framed by a string of pearls and is surmounted by a crown. On the edge of the medallion is the blue enameled inscription FÜR VERDIENSTE (For Merit). On the lower half of the edge are laurel branches flanking the intertwined letters AV (
Augusta Victoria
, house = Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg
, father = Frederick VIII, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein
, mother = Princess Adelheid of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
, birth_date =
, birth_place = Dolzig Palace ...
). The insignia of the order was worn on a white bow on the left chest.
References
* Preußische Gesetzsammlung 1907, S. 281.
* Jörg Nimmergut: ''Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945.'' Band 2. ''Limburg – Reuss.'' Zentralstelle für wissenschaftliche Ordenskunde, München 1997, .
{{Orders and decorations of the Kingdom of Prussia
Orders, decorations, and medals of Prussia
Orders of chivalry of Germany
Kingdom of Prussia
1907 establishments in Germany
Awards established in 1907