History

The Royal Order of Spain (Real Orden de España/Ordre Royal d'Espagne) was instituted in Vitoria, Spain by Joseph Bonaparte in 1808, to reward those who had served the Napoleonic cause in Spain.

It was originally founded as a military Order, however it was extended as a civil reward in 1809 that recognized either Spanish or foreign citizens for loyalty to the cause.

The Order was abolished by Fernando VII/Ferdinand VII in 1814, once he returned to the Spanish throne. It was banned in France by Luis XVIII at the same year. However, it was conferred by Bonaparte until his death in 1844.

There were three grades: Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight.

Officially, the Order was conferred 220 times (inclusive of all grades). However, it may be awarded more occasions.

The Order features either Latin or French obverse inscription that translates “Virtue and Loyalty, Joseph Napoléon”, and a reverse inscription that translates to “Joseph Napoléon, King of Spain and the Indies instituted it.”