The Orders of Knighthood
An order originally designated a society of individuals who had chosen to submit to certain rules and obligations, such as monastic orders and religious sisterhoods.
The Royal Orders of Knighthood emerged as a consequence of the religious revival of the Crusades in the early 12th century. They combined the monastic orders with the secular chivalry system, one of their aims being to protect the medieval pilgrimage routes.
Princes of the era saw advantages in using orders as a reward for various merits. This forms the basis for use of what are now known as orders of state and orders of merit. Conferring an enamelled cross on a ribbon to be worn in public was a less expensive solution for rewarding outstanding contributions than bestowing titles, land and pensions, and provided an equal amount of status.
The King is Grand Master
In 1748, the Royal Orders of the Seraphim, the Sword and the Polar Star were instituted by King Fredrik I. They were initiated by President of the Chancellery Carl Gustaf Tessin, who realised the importance of conferring orders. King Gustav III instituted the Royal Order of Vasa in 1772 to create a comprehensive system of orders. The King is Lord and Master of the Swedish Royal Orders – or Grand Master, as the position is now known.
Following the Honours Reform, everyone who has made personal contributions for Sweden or for Swedish interests from 2023 can have honours conferred upon them within the Royal Orders of Knighthood by decision of H.M. The King as Grand Master, on the government’s recommendation.
In 1811, King Karl XIII instituted the Royal Order of King Carl XIII, which is an official order and is conferred by The King. The Royal Order of King Carl XIII accommodates 36 ordinary recipients (of which 33 are knights and 3 members of the cloth) and ten foreign recipients. There is also the Swedish Order of Saint John, which has been an independent semi-official Swedish order of knighthood since 1920. King Gustav V was Grand Master of the order from 1946 until 1950. Today, The King is Supreme Patron of the Swedish Order of Saint John.
