Brazier - Complete Blue Max: A Chronological Record of the Holders of the Pour Le Mérite, Prussias Highest Military Order, From 1740 To 1918

O n 8 May 1667 in the Germanic principality of Brandenburg Prince Friedrich Wilhelm founded the Order of Generosit (aka the Gracecross), a military and civil order that was created for rewarding loyal subjects for outstanding service. Initially it was a simple gold cross with a precious stone in the middle, but in 1685 the medal took on a new look that was very like the Order of St John. The basic design is that of an eight-pointed Maltese Cross, enamelled in sky blue, with an eagle with upswept wings between each arm. The upper arm bears a hand-painted letter F (for Friedrich) surmounted by the electoral crown. The other three arms have the words Gene, Rosi and Te on them. The reverse was plain blue enamel. It was worn around the neck from a long black ribbon 1 inches (38mm) wide.

On 9 January 1740 the award was renamed and established as the Orden Pour le Mrite by Friedrich II (the Great). The most obvious change was the wording: the F and the crown were retained on the upper arm, but now it became Pour on the left arm, leMe on the right arm and rite on the lower arm, originally in italics but changed in 1832 to the Roman style; the whole medal is 52mm wide. Silver stripes were also added to the black ribbon. The wording is in French because it was the favoured court language at the time. Holders of the Order of Generosit were allowed to continue wearing it, but if they were awarded the Pour le Mrite they were required to return it. The medal saw many inconsistencies in appearance and construction between 1740 and the 1800s. The Pour le Mrite with Brilliants was a special award that was encrusted with diamond-like gems.

On 18 January 1810 the Pour le Mrite was reserved as a military order. It could be (and was) awarded more than once to the same person, and in fact was awarded three times to one person. On 10 March 1813 the Oak Leaves were established by Wilhelm III in memory of his wife Queen Louise, and would be awarded for extraordinary achievements; these were gold, but later were made from silver and measured 17mm by 20mm. From 17 December 1817 the Oak Leaves ribbon would have another silver stripe, down the centre. The Peace Class of the Pour le Mrite was created in 1842 for Art and Science, and women were eligible for this award. Between 1842 and 1913 no fewer than 324 awards were made, including three to the military. The Crown attachment came next, established by Wilhelm IV in 1844. This was for those who had held the Pour le Mrite for fifty years and was first awarded to Generalmajor du Pac de Badens et Sombrelle of France. The Crown was gold and measured 17mm by 14mm. On 18 September 1866 the Grand Cross and Star were established by Wilhelm I; only ever awarded five times, it was never awarded again after his death. The Grand Cross was twice the size of the Pour le Mrite and a companion Star was worn on the breast. On 27 January 1903 the Kaiser bestowed the Pour le Mrite on the gunboat SMS Iltis in recognition of the bravery of her entire crew during the Boxer uprising; this is the only time that the award has been given in this way. In its 173 years up to the First World War the Pour le Mrite had been awarded 4,743 times.

There was no set criteria for the award of the medal. The Army General Headquarters staff provided recommendations to the Kaisers military cabinet and the awards were determined by the Adjutant Generals department. However, the Kaiser could (and did) award it directly in reward for glorious or decisive victories, and often for a single act. During the war a total of 687 awards were made.

On 9 November 1918 all imperial orders were abolished with the Kaisers abdication. The Peace Class was reinstituted on 31 May 1952 and survives to this day.